By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables commissioners will confront several consequential decisions on Tuesday, February 24 that will influence the city’s transportation infrastructure, residential neighborhood scale and municipal parking system, including awarding a construction manager contract for the downtown Mobility Hub, advancing a zoning change affecting historic bungalow neighborhoods such as North Gables, and approving nearly $929,275 in improvements to specific city-owned parking lots.

The agenda reflects the intersection of infrastructure modernization and neighborhood preservation that continues to define the city’s long-term development trajectory.

Kaufman Lynn ranked first to lead preconstruction of downtown Mobility Hub

Commissioners will consider awarding Kaufman Lynn Construction, Inc. the construction manager at risk contract for preconstruction services on the city’s planned downtown Mobility Hub, a project designed to consolidate municipal parking infrastructure while improving connectivity between trolley routes, pedestrian corridors and alternative transportation modes.

According to the official composite scoring results, Kaufman Lynn received the highest evaluation score among all responding firms, earning 459.5 points out of a possible 500. Competing firms Suffolk Construction and Lemartec ranked second and third, respectively, with scores of 449.5 and 444.5.

The evaluation process assessed firms noted technical qualifications, relevant experience, staffing, and project approach.

Awarding the contract will allow Kaufman Lynn to begin preconstruction services, including cost estimation, scheduling, constructability analysis, and coordination with project designers and city staff. These services play a critical role in defining project scope, managing risks, and establishing cost controls before construction begins.

The Mobility Hub will be located on the site of an existing municipal garage on Andalusia Avenue and is intended to modernize city-owned parking infrastructure while supporting expanded transit access, pedestrian mobility, and evolving transportation patterns.

City officials have positioned the project as a cornerstone of long-term efforts to adapt the downtown district to changing mobility needs while preserving accessibility for residents, workers, and visitors.

Proposed duplex height increase targets North Gables and other bungalow neighborhoods

Commissioners will also consider a zoning amendment that would increase the maximum allowable building height for duplex structures in Multi-Family 2 (MF2) zoning districts from 25 feet to 35 feet.

MF2 zoning applies primarily to older bungalow neighborhoods, including North Gables and other areas characterized by early- and mid-20th-century duplex housing stock.

The Planning and Zoning Board previously reviewed the proposal earlier this month and forwarded it to the City Commission for final consideration after evaluating its consistency with existing land use policies and neighborhood context.

City staff have indicated the amendment is intended to align duplex height limits with height allowances already permitted for single-family homes in similar districts.

However, increasing the allowable height of duplex structures could facilitate larger replacement buildings as older duplex properties are redeveloped, potentially altering neighborhood scale and streetscape character over time.

Because MF2 zoning applies to multiple established residential areas, the amendment could influence redevelopment patterns across several bungalow neighborhoods.

$929,275 resurfacing contract will improve five parking lots

Commissioners are also expected to award a $929,275 contract to Tadeos Engineering for resurfacing and improvements to municipal parking lots Nos. 12-16, located on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, between Suarez Street and Blue Road and adjacent to U.S. 1.

The project focuses on targeted improvements to existing surface parking lots rather than systemwide parking infrastructure.

The scope of work includes asphalt milling and resurfacing, drainage improvements, concrete repairs, ADA compliance upgrades, striping, and signage enhancements.

These improvements are designed to extend pavement life, improve safety, and preserve the operational integrity of city-owned parking assets.

According to bid documents, Tadeos Engineering was identified as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The firm has completed similar municipal infrastructure projects elsewhere in South Florida but has not previously held a construction contract with the City of Coral Gables.

Parking infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting downtown economic activity and municipal operations, making maintenance of these assets a continuing infrastructure priority.

Contractor enforcement resolution aims to strengthen permitting compliance

Commissioners will also consider a resolution intended to strengthen enforcement against contractors performing work without proper permits.

The measure is designed to improve regulatory compliance and reinforce existing permitting requirements, which serve as a safeguard for construction safety, building code enforcement, and neighborhood protection.

Permit enforcement is a core function of municipal governance, particularly in cities experiencing ongoing redevelopment activity.

Additional items include regional planning resolution and administrative approvals

Other agenda items include a resolution supporting preservation of Miami-Dade County’s Urban Development Boundary.