Don’s Rambles: The Cultural Gems of Coral Gables

The composition of a community’s soul is comprised of more than its collection of buildings, parks, landmarks, and plazas. It is, in great part, its residents and their culture – “culture” as in a combination of their spoken language, their manner of dress, the entertainment they enjoy, and the food served at their family’s dinner table. A city’s culture is joyously celebrated through venues that present public offerings of music, film, dance, stage plays, historical exhibits, and visual arts. Coral Gables citizens take pride in the organizations located in our downtown that offer a variety of such cultural presentations. What a pleasure to meander around our center city amongst the jewels of our “arts district” anchored by Actors’ Playhouse (Miracle Theatre), the Coral Gables Art Cinema, Sanctuary of the Arts, Books & Books, and the Coral Gables Museum.

You might say this district exists through a series of divine interventions. Four of the edifices which house our cultural institutions were, at one time or another, in danger of demolition, and one almost never materialized. The Miracle Theatre (1948) was on the verge of being vacated for replacement by a department store; the two historic buildings on the northeast corner of Aragon and Salzedo were decaying structures (the 1939 WPA Public Safety Building and the 1927 Weiland Clinic) in need of expensive restoration; the First Church of Christ, Scientist had a depleted congregation unable to upkeep its two historic adjoining structures (1933 & 1942); and debate raged within City Hall in 2010 as to whether the budget for a new parking garage behind John Martin’s Irish Pub should be increased to provide for a sound-proofed space for movies or live theater.

Thank heavens that in the 1990s the City Commission decided to purchase the Miracle Theatre to provide a venue for the performing arts; in the early years of the 21st century, the City restored the old Police/Fire Station as a community-focused history museum; in the late 1990s, the Planning & Zoning Board negotiated an agreement with the Colson, Hicks, Eidson law firm for the construction of their new offices to include saving and restoring the Weiland Building which now houses Books & Books; the Christian Scientist congregation held on long enough to make it possible for Mike Eidson’s 2019 intervention to preserve the two classical sanctuaries as artistic venues; and, in 2005, enabled by a last minute grant from Miami-Dade County and a major gift from the Harry & Mary Perrin Fund at the Community Foundation, the City underwrote the costly construction within the new parking facility of a space that would become the Coral Gables Art Cinema.

As I wander around our hometown, I am constantly learning “things” that I don’t know despite my years of involvement and participation. Be assured that these “things” are positive and uplifting. It is becoming clear to me that the value of my “ramble” does not lie in any particular destination, but in the journey itself.

This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you wish to reach him with suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email donslesnick@scllp.com. Read more of his rambles.