By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables City Commission will meet Tuesday, Oct. 28, for a wide-ranging agenda centered on infrastructure, transparency and economic stimulus. At the forefront are proposed amendments to the Mobility Hub site plan, a new ordinance that would expand the city’s ethics code, and several measures intended to benefit Miracle Mile.

Mobility Hub design amendments

Commissioners are scheduled to consider site-plan modifications for the Mobility Hub at Parking Garage 1 and a contract amendment authorizing up to $750,000 in additional architectural services for Gensler to finalize engineering and documentation.

The changes refine façade treatments, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. City staff say the adjustments will keep the project aligned with design-review feedback and move it closer to construction.

Expanded scope of ethics rules proposed

Commissioner Melissa Castro is sponsoring an ordinance to expand the city’s ethics regulations by prohibiting any elected or appointed official from accepting compensation or benefits connected to contracts or zoning approvals after the fact. The measure also adds continuous disclosure requirements and requires developers and contractors to file sworn anti-kickback affidavits.

The ordinance would create a new section in the city code titled “Anti-Kickback and Post-Approval Disclosure.” It supplements, rather than replaces, existing county and state ethics provisions.

Anastasia Avenue rezoning heads to second reading

Two ordinances at second reading would redesignate 627 and 635 Anastasia Avenue, near the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, from Religious/Institutional to Multi-Family Low Density on the Future Land Use Map and rezone them from Special Use to Multi-Family 3 (MF-3).

Both the Planning & Zoning Board and city staff recommended approval (5–1), with conditions on height, setbacks, and landscaping to ensure compatibility with adjacent properties.

Downtown stimulus initiatives

A series of items aims to boost the city’s downtown economy. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson is sponsoring a pilot activation program to use Small Business Month and the upcoming holiday season to drive visitors to Miracle Mile through coordinated events and promotions.

Commissioner Castro has proposed establishing an annual Downtown Stimulus Day celebrating local culture and commerce, and a related resolution directs staff to accelerate sidewalk and pothole repairs in the business district.

City Hall restoration enters next phase

The commission is expected to award a construction-management-at-risk contract to Thornton Construction for the long-planned City Hall Restoration Project and authorize the city manager to advance the design phase.

The work will address roof replacement, structural rehabilitation, and mechanical-system modernization while preserving the 1939 building’s WPA-era architecture.

Historic preservation appeal

The meeting also includes an appeal of the Historic Preservation Board’s decision denying demolition of a 1926 Mediterranean Revival home at 1258 Obispo Avenue. Property owners, Javier Avila and Jennifer Ruiz, contend the structure is beyond repair; staff determined it contributes to the local historic district. Commissioners will review expert testimony and decide whether to uphold or overturn the board’s ruling.

Housing, insurance and short-term rentals

Vice Mayor Anderson will lead a discussion on the intersection of insurance costs, state property-tax proposals, and short-term rentals such as Airbnb.
The item continues her focus on affordability and neighborhood stability in the face of rising premiums and legislative changes.

Environmental and arts measures

Commissioners will also consider an ordinance, sponsored by Anderson, prohibiting plastic-related or metallized decorations and balloon releases at permitted events, part of ongoing efforts to reduce litter and protect local waterways.

Another item seeks approval to acquire Le Couple (1991), a bronze sculpture by Cuban artist Agustín Cárdenas, unanimously recommended by the Cultural Development Board for addition to the city’s public-art collection.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. Complete agenda materials are available at coralgables.com.