Talk of the Town: New Chamber Head, School Anniversaries, and More

Technology: The Robots are Coming!

Gableites will likely have noticed the fleet of friendly-looking wheeled robots that have been traversing the city since early last month, particularly in the downtown. The delivery robots are deployed mostly for food deliveries through UberEats. Serve Robotics, which owns the ‘bots, first began operating in other areas of Miami like the Beach and Brickell, before appearing in Coral Gables. The robots, which each have their own names – from Leah to Googoosh – are powered by artificial intelligence and, according to Serve Robotics, aim to cut down on traffic. “Why deliver two-pound burritos in two-ton cars?” its website asks.

Despite these noble aims, there are some concerns, specifically for those with disabilities. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson brought these up in a recent City Commission meeting, talking about the width of sidewalks and how much space the robots take up. If there were, say, a person in a wheelchair trying to get past, what would happen? “It would be a standoff,” she said. However, according to Florida law, a human must operate the robots remotely when they travel on sidewalks or crosswalks, meaning that the ‘bots should be able to choose a new path when they encounter an obstruction. (Police Chief Ed Hudak reported that he has seen this himself, and the police have had no issues with the robots – yet.)

Also at issue was where to store the robots. When awaiting an order, they currently stop in place, blinking, albeit somewhat out of the way. Anderson suggested a corral, like what the city did with e-scooters. Perhaps the robots were listening, because we spotted them lined up neatly  next to a series of Bird scooters on Giralda Plaza soon after. – Kylie Wang

Games: Gables-Opoly!

At Bliss Imprints, a stationery and gift shop on Miracle Mile, you can find several different themed versions of the classic Monopoly board game, including Cuba-Opoly and Miami-Opoly. That’s what inspired owner Eddy Martinez to conceive of Gables-Opoly, a custom board game created in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Concepts for the board game were recently presented to the Coral Gables City Commission, which voted unanimously to become the title sponsor for the game. The board will highlight the city’s history, landmarks, and local businesses while raising funds for local programs through the Mark A. Trowbridge Legacy Initiative. Businesses that want a chance to be featured on one of the board’s coveted spots can contact Chamber Foundation CEO Cristina Miller at cmiller@intermediatouch.com. – Kylie Wang

Business I: The New Chamber Head

Under the leadership of Mark Trowbridge, who passed away in February, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce became an award-winning, proactive organization representing the city’s business community. Now, after months of searching for his replacement, a new president and CEO of the Chamber has been named: Jorge Arrizurieta.

Arrizurieta, above, brings impressive credentials and a background that suits the job. He has a remarkable resume, having served in public and private roles including Chair of the International Policy Group at Akerman Senterfitt, U.S. Alternate Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, VP of Public Affairs for Huizenga Holdings, Senior VP and President of Public Affairs for Americano Media, Director of State Projects for U.S. Senator Connie Mack, and much more, including work in more than one White House administration.

“If you look at the job description that was written for the search, and you look at my resume, you could almost say I’ve spent my entire career preparing for this job – fundraising, communications, marketing, sales, business development, and the epitome of what the job requires: experience in advocacy,” says Arrizurieta. “It’s really a career-long set of jobs that have, each in their own way, prepared me to be a leader for the Chamber.” 

Arrizurieta, a long time Gables resident who raised his family here, was endorsed by a plethora of local leaders, from former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence to real estate maestro Ron Shuffield, to former mayor Don Slesnick. Current mayor Vince Lago, a close friend and ally of Trowbridge, first encouraged Arrizurieta to run for the position. Still, he has big shoes to fill. “Following Mark’s legacy will challenge me to do my best,” he says. – J.P. Faber

Business II: The State of the City

Each year in September the Coral Gables Chamber inaugurates its new chairman of the board and board of directors. It is also the annual State of the City address by the mayor. Taking the place of last year’s chair (Addys Kuryla of Florida Power & Light) is Maria Garcia of law firm Kozak Tropin & Throckmorton.

The mayor’s speech was just what the audience of business leaders wanted to hear: how, in these times of financial uncertainty, the city is being run as a tight fiscal ship. In the first 150 days since being elected for a third term, the mayor noted his accomplishments of rescinding commissioner salary raises, adding safeguards to protect city reserves, and maintaining “one of the lowest millage rates for a full-service city in our community, providing relief to residents and businesses while preserving financial strength.”

His annual nod to the city’s high-tech accomplishments this year focused on the city’s new digital permitting program and its concomitant permitting assistance program, which should “strengthen our business-friendly reputation and attract the kind of investment that fuels job creation and long-term growth.”

The mayor also noted two referendums coming within the year, one to change the city’s election date to November, the other to create an independent inspector general for Coral Gables. That, he said, would add “another safeguard to protect taxpayer dollars.” Lago also said he would be naming one of the city’s new downtown parks after Mark Trowbridge, the chamber’s president and CEO who passed away in February. – J.P. Faber

Housing: Live Local Act Comes to Coral Gables

If the City of Coral Gables’ government is known for one thing, it’s the strict zoning code – which is why the city has been nervously following the State of Florida’s Live Local Act. Passed in 2023, the act aims to address Florida’s affordable housing crisis by adding incentives for developers to build affordable housing. These include height and density exemptions, allowing developers to bypass local municipalities’ zoning codes.

Now, Live Local has officially come to Coral Gables in the form of Shoma Group’s newest high-rise development, Ponce 8. Gables-based Shoma has graciously proposed the mixed-use project at only 16 stories, which is within the zoning code. The project plans for 201 apartments ranging from 500 to 1,255-square-feet, 40 percent of which will be considered “affordable housing” – enough to gain Live Local incentives. These units would only be available to tenants earning up to 120 percent of the median income in Coral Gables (currently $127,834). Ponce 8 will also feature ground-floor retail and a sixth-story amenity deck with co-working space, clubhouse, and resort-style swimming pool. Renderings depict Mediterranean Revival-style architectural elements, blending thoughtfully with the rest of the city.

If approved, the project will occupy 3850 SW 8th St., just off Ponce de Leon Boulevard and close to Kojin 2.0, Miss Crispy Rice, and Caffe Italia. – Kylie Wang

Retail: Seeing Double

Coral Gables is about to see something unusual: two Publix stores within a block of each other. A new two-story supermarket is opening at Riviera Plaza on South Dixie Highway, near the long-standing Monza Avenue location. At 46,000-square-feet, the Riviera Plaza Publix includes the chain’s full lineup of departments, a two-level parking garage, and the rare addition of a seating area where shoppers can chow down on staples like chicken tender “Pub subs” or $5 Sushi Wednesday rolls.

Publix’s growth in the Gables will not stop there. The City Commission has approved an expansion of its existing supermarket at 2551 LeJeune Road (see map) that will include a liquor store, additional retail, and more than 32,000-square-feet of public greenspace. Construction on the LeJeune project has yet to begin – Riviera Plaza opens first. For now, the Monza Avenue store also remains open across the street. Think of it as Publix’s version of buy one, get one. – Amanda Martell

Politics: Gone Phishing

On June 25, local independent (and anonymous) newsletter “Aesop’s Gables” published a 4,000+ word exposé titled “The Phisher King.” The post alleged that Coral Gables City Commissioner Ariel Fernandez was the perpetrator behind “a surveillance operation that deceived…residents for nearly two years.” “Aesop’s” was referencing a poll emailed to Coral Gables voters prior to the last election by People Count USA, a fake company. The poll contained misleading and overtly biased questions that favored certain issues and members of the Commission, and allegedly used hidden tracking links to log responses by residents so they could be targeted by campaigners. By subpoenaing records from the e-newsletter service that Fernandez allegedly used, “Aesop’s” was able to tie People Count USA directly to the commissioner. 

The evidence is detailed minutely in the post. Following its publishing, Fernandez was absent from three consecutive Commission meetings, citing illness and then an overseas trip, during which he joined a line of parishioners who greeted the Pope. He returned for the September 10 meeting and was confronted by resident and local activist Nic Cabrera, who requested that Fernandez apologize for lying during the May 20 Commission meeting. During that meeting, Cabrera asked Fernandez, “Did you have anything to do with People Count USA?” Fernandez responded, “I’m not even sure what People Count USA is.” He made no response to Cabrera’s September 10 query; in response to an email from Coral Gables Magazine, a City spokesperson stated that neither Fernandez nor the City had any comment on the matter.

If the allegations are true, Fernandez could be in legal jeopardy, having lied on the record about People Count USA, and having deliberately withheld information (namely polling results) from the public record, a violation of his legal duties as a public servant. He will have knowingly deceived his constituents by conducting surveillance without their knowledge or consent. He will almost certainly face the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. 

He could also be prosecuted. Under Florida Statute 119.10, public officers who knowingly violate the public records law face a fine of up to $500, potential impeachment, and a first-degree misdemeanor charge. Under F.S. 838.022, destroying official records – which Fernandez could have done by deleting his Mailchimp account and the records associated with it – is a third-degree felony.

At its July 1 meeting, the Commission voted 3-1 (only Commissioner Castro voted against) to instruct Police Chief Ed Hudak to determine which external investigative body, such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, should look into the matter. – Kylie Wang

Education I: Gables High Celebrates 75 Years

Coral Gables Senior High School – the only public high school in the City Beautiful and one of the oldest schools in Miami – is celebrating its 75th birthday this year. The school, which serves students from the Gables and across Miami-Dade County, is celebrating with an anniversary party on Friday, Oct. 24.

This milestone event aims to honor the rich historical and cultural identity of the school. “You have such a really unique blend of different types of kids and families from different walks of life,” says alumna Bertha Lowell, who graduated from Gables High in 1993 and now acts as chair of Friends of Gables High, the organization behind the event. “It’s a wonderful melting pot for everyone to come together, whether it’s in sports, whatever your passion may be … I feel like there’s something for everyone in this school.” 

Doors open at Gables High at 5:15 pm, and the night begins with a pep rally that will commemorate some of the school’s programs, people, and accomplishments. Mayor Vince Lago will also be on-site to issue a proclamation to the school. Guests are encouraged to take a tour of the school and enjoy live music, entertainment, and food from local food trucks. Gables High also hopes to raise $75,000 that will go to improving the school, with audio-visual and lighting upgrades to its auditorium. – Luke Chaney

Education II: St. Theresa Catholic School Celebrates 100

While Coral Gables Senior High may be one of the oldest schools in Miami, St. Theresa Catholic School – which held its 100th birthday party on Sept. 15 – is not only the oldest operating school in Coral Gables but in all of Miami-Dade County. The school is also holding a centennial campaign to raise proceeds for a new on-campus, multi-purpose building and restoration of its church, the Church of the Little Flower. Opened in 1925 as St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Theresa became a parochial school in 1932 and changed its name to St. Theresa Catholic School, a name it’s kept ever since. Originally established as a high school, St. Theresa became a K-8 school in 1959. The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine administered the school until 1987; since 1991 that responsibility was assumed by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. – Luke Chaney