Q & A with Julian Perez

Prepare for Technology, Smart Growth and Climate Change

February 2020

Julian Perez was appointed Director of the Coral Gables Department of Economic Development in December, taking the helm of a key agency that promotes and oversees commercial growth and business development in the city. He was previously head of planning, zoning and economic development in Doral for five years, and before that in South Miami, Cutler Bay, and Palmetto Bay. He also spent two decades working for private engineering firms in infrastructure, water, waste, and environmental programs.

What are you Most Proud of in Your Work for Doral?

I oversaw the rapid development of the city…. I also oversaw one of the most successful industrial bases in all of South Florida, in the southern part [of Doral], where we had most of our logistics and new technology firms… economic studies put their industrial base in the neighborhood of $69.5 billion in sales and revenues.

Why Come to Coral Gables?

The opportunity here in Coral Gables, for me as an economic development director, was to move from a city that was developing to one that was already developed, within the same geographical area – a city that was very well planned and reflects the City Beautiful movement – but at the same is also preparing itself for the changes that are coming, from a technological perspective right to the way we are going to live.

What are your Priorities?

A lot of companies are looking to Florida, specifically South Florida, to relocate their operations – [especially] financial services and innovative technology firms… I think Coral Gables is in an excellent position to successfully attract those kinds of firms. My priority is to create a balance. This is a community that already has a history and a tradition, and you have to maintain that.

Coral Gables can Sometimes be a Difficult Place to Start a New Business. What are Your Thoughts on That?

I have not yet had the chance to get really, really acquainted with the process [here], but as a professional planner, I can tell you that Coral Gables is no different than other communities you go to. In the city of Coral Gables there are certain processes that you have to follow. The most important thing for [new businesses] that come here is to have either a consulting team or use the team we have in Economic Development, to understand the process. The secret is understanding how the process works and understanding why you are required to do certain things.

What is More Important, to Attract New Business or Help Existing Businesses Grow?

It is obviously better to grow [businesses] from here, because these folks have already made a commitment to our city, these folks have been our partners for years. Any good economic development program will tell you that your best bet is to work with the existing firms that you have, to expand opportunities for them.

Are You For or Against Growth?

The way you approach growth is not by stopping it but by managing it, by having quality growth, by having smart growth… You have to always look at the future, because cities are constantly changing. Just like humans, cities have a life cycle, and you always have to make sure that whatever you are doing you are preparing the city for the next step. The vision has to be long term and it has to be smart… [for example] Coral Gables is seeing a great number of people moving into the area, and we are seeing a younger population, a Millennial population, and we have to be prepared for that, we have to have housing for young professionals…

How Important is Climate Change?

It is extremely important. I also have a background in flood plain management, I am a certified flood plain manager, and we are in trouble if we don’t understand that there is an issue with sea level rise, that our climate is changing… to me water is the most important issue. I don’t think that the traffic issue compares with the issue of water. Once you contaminate an aquifer, once you have saltwater intrusion, you have lost that forever. With traffic, we can find other modes of transportation…