DeSoto Fountain circle to become roundabout, gain crosswalks

The city’s more than 100-year-old DeSoto fountain, one of its most iconic landmarks, is in for some major changes soon as the city has begun the design process to redevelop the surrounding pavement and traffic patterns at DeSoto Plaza.

Designed by famed Gables artist Denman Fink and landscape architect Frank M. Button, the fountain sits at the center of the plaza, which has six entrances, not including an additional entrance from the parking lot across from Venetian Pool.

The project, which will be funded by a $1 million Local Agency Program, or LAP, grant through the Florida Department of Transportation, is expected to transform the intersection into something more closely resembling a traditional roundabout, while making it easier and safer for pedestrians to navigate the area.

Assistant Public Works Director for Transportation Melissa De Zayas outlined the plans during an Aug. 27 meeting of the city’s Transportation Advisory Board. She said the existing configuration is unusual because traffic entering the circle is controlled by stop signs at all approaches except Granada Boulevard.

“We’re gonna make it function like a typical roundabout, and we’re gonna provide pedestrian crossings and sidewalks all around the circle, because right now, that circle doesn’t function like a typical roundabout,” De Zayas said.

The redesign will also reduce the amount of pavement surrounding the fountain and increase the landscaped apron around it, providing the historic structure with more protection while creating a tighter traffic circle.

“But it’s a lot of pavement,” De Zayas said. “So we’re gonna reduce the amount of pavement, we’re gonna increase the apron around the fountain to give it a little bit more protection, reduce the pavement to make it, like, a tighter circle to control the traffic better, and upgrade it to yield controls. And then crosswalks.”

Board members questioned De Zayas about the intersection’s history of traffic crashes and whether the redesign could improve safety. De Zayas said she was surprised when reviewing the area’s crash history that there had not been as many crashes as she expected, suggesting the large amount of pavement gives drivers more room to maneuver.

That maneuverability, however, can create problems for pedestrians, she said. Drivers also frequently treat the existing stop signs as yield signs, she noted.

The project could be particularly useful for pedestrians heading to Venetian Pool, board members said, noting that parking around the circle becomes especially congested during busy periods. New sidewalks and crosswalks would provide another way for visitors to reach the pool without relying on cars.

Before construction begins, the city will also assess the condition of the historic fountain. Communications Director Martha Pantin said protecting the fountain’s historic character will be an important consideration as the project moves forward. “As a unique historic feature of Coral Gables, protecting its integrity will be an important part of the project’s planning and design,” she said. “Construction is not anticipated until late 2027 or early 2028.”  

Sidewalks planned for Granada Boulevard from fountain to Ponce

The fountain project is part of a larger effort to improve pedestrian connectivity along Granada Boulevard. The city has received additional county funding to install sidewalks from DeSoto Plaza south to Bird Road. Currently, portions of Granada lack sidewalks, including the east side between Palermo Avenue and Bird Road and the west side between Anastasia Avenue and Bird Road.

Ultimately, De Zayas said, the projects could provide continuous sidewalk connectivity along Granada from Coral Way to Ponce de Leon Boulevard just north of US 1.

Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff

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