Latest News from City Hall

In its Recent Bi-Monthly Meetings, the City Commission has Decided on the Following:

They’re Back!

After months of virtual Zoom meetings, the Coral Gables City Commission returned to City Hall for its final September gathering – with the mayor and commissioners wearing masks. Individuals addressing the commission for agenda items entered the chamber one by one, masked and protected by plexiglass. Citizens with un-schedule comments addressed the commission via Zoom, for a “blended” meeting. All commissioners wore orange City of Coral Gables masks until Commissioner Pat Keon went rogue and donned a tie-die rainbow mask mid meeting.

Finally, The Fink

After years of trying to figure out what to do with the historic H. George Fink Studio on Ponce de Leon Boulevard (pictured above), the city will now use it to house the Economic Development Department. The ground floor will house a gallery for events and public displays of art.

Disaster Prep

The commission voted to approve $1.1 million to purchase a mobile command unit for the police department. This will enable them to handle any disaster relief situation under any conditions. Think command tank.

De Walls, Boss

Taking a page from the Wynwood Walls, the commission voted to partner with the downtown Business Improvement District to fund four large murals to be painted along Miracle Mile. The city and the BID are each contributing half of the $50,000 price tag. The idea is to attract people with selfie-ready art.

More Money For Parks

The commission voted to split the proceeds from the $3 million sale of the former Southern Command House between improving the Fink Studio and the acquisition of new parks. The goal, said Commissioner Pat Keon, is to have every resident within a 15-minute walk from a park. Likewise, the commission voted to use half the proceeds from the upcoming sale of Municipal Parking Lot 24 to purchase and maintain parks.