By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Over the last 18 months, members of the Coral Gables Parking Advisory Board have repeatedly criticized city decisions that they say encourage overdevelopment and ignore the board’s recommendations. But during the board’s Aug. 5 meeting, those frustrations boiled over, with members openly questioning whether their volunteer service has any impact and suggesting that decisions affecting parking and development are effectively made long before public meetings are held.
A routine Mobility Hub update reopens old wounds
The discussion was sparked by Parking and Mobility Services Director Monica Beltran’s routine update on the city’s forthcoming Mobility Hub, where she said staff continues preparing for construction by recertifying Garage No. 4, relocating city vehicles and creating additional parking capacity to soften the loss of spaces during construction. She also said city staff hopes to soon display mock-ups of the garage’s exterior façade and decorative ceiling treatment for board members to review.
That update prompted board member Lisa DeTournay, one of the Mobility Hub’s most outspoken critics, to revisit her longstanding objections to the project.
“I’m going to voice my opinion again,” she said, noting that while the project is now moving forward, she believes years of resident opposition have been ignored. DeTournay said that since becoming active in city affairs in 2005, she could not recall a single major development opposed by large numbers of neighbors that was ultimately stopped.
“It’s very defeating,” she said, adding that residents repeatedly speak against projects only to see them approved anyway.
Beltran responded that while she understood residents’ frustrations, the city commission had already approved the project, leaving staff focused on making it as functional as possible.
“My role as director is to get the best I can to service people the best we can,” Beltran said, explaining that her responsibility is improving projects once elected officials make policy decisions.
Years of opposition, and a sense that nothing changes
The exchange continued as DeTournay criticized the scale of the Mobility Hub and broadened her comments to what she described as a pattern of increasingly dense development throughout Coral Gables.
She wondered whether meaningful deliberations occur during public meetings, saying projects often appear to have been decided beforehand and suggesting discussions may occur outside public view. She also cited the recently approved Crystal Residences project as another example of development she believes exceeded what surrounding neighborhoods should accommodate.
The debate echoed concerns the board has raised for months.
In March, members questioned the Mobility Hub’s size, convertible design and compatibility with the city’s character, while in June Beltran urged members to shift their attention toward improving a project that had already received final approval.
Board members say their advice goes unheard
Board member Blanca Famadas said the frustration extends beyond the Mobility Hub itself and centers on advisory boards feeling ignored.
“They decided to have advisory boards made up by residents, and the voices are not heard,” Famadas said.
She pointed to a previous development near the post office on Salcedo Street that board members believed would not eliminate parking spaces. Instead, she said, curb extensions, or bump-outs, were ultimately installed, reducing on-street parking despite assurances to the contrary.
“We give our time to have these discussions and be able to represent the constituency of the residents,” Famadas said. “And then something happens afterwards.”
Board member Ada Holian agreed, saying years of similar experiences had created growing cynicism.
“I have to agree,” Holian said. “It’s now just become so cynical… the citizens have never won.”
City staff explains where parking spaces are lost
Beltran pushed back on suggestions that developers were solely responsible for the loss of parking, explaining that many curb extensions stem from city landscaping requirements rather than developer requests. In several cases, she said, developers actually prefer retaining parking spaces because they benefit their projects.
Instead, Beltran said, her department works to reduce parking losses whenever possible by negotiating smaller bump-outs or other design changes while complying with city requirements.
“You’re going to lose”
Near the end of the discussion, DeTournay recounted sitting next to a Chicago developer during a recent City Commission meeting on Crystal Residences. After DeTournay told the developer she opposed the project, the developer simply replied, “You’re going to lose,” DeTournay said.
The comment, she said, reflected years of unsuccessful efforts fighting projects she believes diminish Coral Gables and had left her wondering whether it was time to stop trying altogether. Beltran encouraged her to remain engaged, saying city staff would continue working to protect parking and mitigate the impacts of future development wherever possible.
How about stopping the city from allowing and selling the valet parking all over the place? Stop Miracle Mile double parking, all while CGPD sits there. Stop people parking in disabled spots. Again, CGPD just sits there in the middle lane texting and watching Netflix. Stop the scooters with delivery people (on TPS) texting on two, three cellphones.
The issue, as I see it, is that the Parking Director is in an unfair position. Some people would call it the proverbial “between a rock and a hard place.” The Board is advisory per the City Charter and even though the members know that they expect to be heard and their frustration stems from the fact that their efforts appear most of the time to be ignored. In reality they are faced with what could be called a waste of time. The elected officials actually do what has become the norm lately, they do what they want anyway!
In point of fact, it is illegal in Florida for a municipality to pay volunteer board members with free golf memberships.
This is a corrupted patronage system by which the Mayor and Commissioners reward board members with the freebies.
They don’t want to hear the Boards’ advice. They merely want your loyalty. It’s all a scam ruled improper by the State Attorney General. For more info contact me at amendmentone@comcast.net
Jack Thompson 305-588-3005
It seems that the developers own CG. It is admirable that the Board continues to try on our behalf when so frustrated by constant negative results.
Lets show our displeasure about hitting a wall with our votes and make sure that our choices are not influenced by empty promises and a deluge of candidate pamphlets all promising change so another Chicago developer cannot arrogantly say “you wont win”.
I agree with Maria Cruz. From everything presented, it appears Ms. Beltran handled the situation professionally and appropriately.
I would also add that advisory boards are exactly that, advisory. As both a former employee and a resident, my experience has been that they often serve as a way to give engaged residents a voice and foster community involvement. However, in practice, their recommendations tend to carry weight only when they align with the direction leadership has already decided to take.
Parking is a problem in CG. No question. But, beyond just looking at additional spaces to park, we have forgotten the businesses along the Mile and surrounding streets who are struggling to stay in business. We need a more creative approach to parking that allows people who want to come to the Mile and eat or shop but don’t because of parking … like free parking on certain days if you had dinner in one of the restaurants or discounted parking if you shop in one of the stores. We don’t think out of the box around things that can be done around parking yo here businesses here thrive
Have not shopped or eaten on the mile in over 12 years. Live east of US1 and I will stay there. I will not fight the traffic, density and parking. $20 to valet park? Do not think so. It has all been made worse since Mayor Lago took office. CG has been ruined.
The parking situation in CG Is not only an extreme problem for residents and businesses but also the glamor that this city used to hold is rapidly going downhill. Even walking a dog is impossible because there is no grass healthy for a dog to eat if they need to. It seems the only thing that CG desires is money.
I completely agree with Jessica’s comments. Advisory boards generally are there to listen to policy decisions already made by staff and city leadership after the fact.
Many comments refer to parking in the central business district as a problem. I am not sure what is the problem. I have never found any parking garage full and while I don’t use the valet system, it seems to provide accessible, convenient locations and supports extended hours of operation. I find the cost of parking to be reasonable as well compared to other municipalities.
If there is limited supply of parking spaces in the public garages I am curious what the plan is to support demand when the Anastasia garage is taken out of service during the construction of the mobility hub. Any accommodation to this change would seem to raise the question of the need for the mobility hub at all.
Since the mobility hub is being designed for easy conversion to apartments as a long range plan, again I must question the need for the mobility hub as a parking facility. Perhaps the city should mandate the mobility hub apartments be offered with preference to city employees as an enticement for long term desirable employment providing affordable housing and taking some of the financial pressure off the city employees seeking higher compensation
Waymo, Uber, bicycle lanes and other transportation options will become ubiquitous in the coming years further reducing the demand for parking spaces.
William, I can tell you are not a woman. As a single woman parking alone. I WILL NOT USE A GARAGE !!! I feel unsafe and cameras do not stop crimes, just document them. I will not meet my friends for lunch and park in a garage. Try again.
Since when has anybody been assaulted in a garage in Coral Gables? I’m a single woman that parks in them all the time and I’ve never thought twice about it.
Are they hiding the news of assaults, etc.?
I can tell you that Coral Gables’ Parking Authority does not listen to nor have the courtesy to return a citizen’s e-mails.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you that serving on CG Boards is total waste of time. Ultimately, the Commission (THIS commission, especially!) enacts whatever the heck they want based on $$$.
Sadly, I’m afraid you’re 100% right. I’ve heard stories for years about how their hands are out and they’ll pass anything they get paid for. I know there’s a few exceptions on the board, but the majority seem to be there for one reason that’s to make money. Not to protect what Coral Gables stands for.
Serving on an Advisory Board means that you only provide suggestions. Elected officials can do whatever they want. However, elected officials should understand that Advisory Board members also provide services for elected officials by explaining to the community decisions made by elected officials. When Mayor Lago and his 2 pocket votes (Anderson and Lara) make decisions despite overwhelming resident disagreement (like their crusade to waste money building and maintaining low use dog parks or their frivolous attack on the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association, Inc. for Lago’s political retribution), they lose many ambassadors serving on Advisory Boards. Lago and his pocket votes do not care because of (a) substantial money they and their PAC raise from developers, (b) false attacks launched against perceived enemies by their trolls and anonymous blog, and (c) diluting the voice of informed voters with elections in November rather than in April. Their desire to cultivate and maintain power with real estate developers is much more important to them than addressing the needs of residents. My visit with Mayor Lago during his “open office hours” consisted of Lago making false accusations and threats which he continues to do during Commission meetings against any perceived enemy. Hopefully, when Lago gets a normal job or his political machine gets him elected to another office, we can return to the quality of life that we had prior to his reign when transparency, civility and respect existed.
AMEN. King tyrant Lago is the worst Mayor we have ever had and his two puppets should be ashamed of themselves.
Lack of parking and an over priced garage with tiny parking spots killed South Miami business. Coral Gables is next if they don’t fix the parking issue. Letting the private scam lots exist also drives people away. Lots of work to do before it’s a ghost town like South Miami.
Do something for the people with disabilities there’s no space for people to get in the DMV there’s foliage to step on or trip on there’s sidewalks that need fixing a person could seriously fall the sidewalks so uneven and broken.
Do something for the people with disabilities there’s no space for people to get in the DMV there’s foliage to step on or trip on there’s sidewalks that need fixing a person could seriously fall the sidewalks so uneven and broken.
Is this some what of a surprise? Do you think Lago would listen to anyone? He is the King and he rules Coral Gables while the residents sit on their hands and do nothing. This man has ruined this city for payouts from developers. He never told us about the payouts and did not recuse himself from voting. I tell you, I have had it with Lago, Lara and Anderson. These 3 are crooked and just plain dictators. They all need to be investigated by Ethics and removed from our city. I am sure they have broken the Sunshiine Law with their backdoor deals and decisions that benefit them.
Arrogant and dismissive behavior foster revolutions.
I don’t park in parking garages. You have to keep going around and around following a line of cars where inevitable some yahoo is waiting for a space and holding up the line. It is a maddening exercise. If I can’t find street parking, I just go somewhere else. Please please revert the miracle mile parking and sidewalk situation to what it was before the redo. . Please also change the color of the sidewalk back to rose gold. The project that got rid of the parking on the mile, painted the sidewalks ugly colors and essentially ruined the mile. Even if you don’t fix the parking, please just change the color of the sidewalks back!