By Rafael Hernandez

Gables residents hoping for renovations at Phillips Park might be in for a wait.

In a 4-1 vote at its meeting May 20, the Coral Gables City Commission approved a measure that would reduce the over $7.1 million set aside for park renovations to about $4.4 million, with the $2.7 million difference going towards repairs to City Hall.  

Mayor Vince Lago clarified during the commission meeting that while Phillips Park was still important, City Hall was his priority, and that he wanted to start renovating the building before the project’s costs rose any further.

“Under my watch, we’re gonna do City Hall. We’re gonna start it, and we’re gonna do it right. Because I’m not taking out debt on the city,” said Lago.

The decision marks another step in Mayor Lago’s new direction for the City Beautiful, but current and former commissioners were quick to voice their concerns about leaving residents’ interests behind.

According to the mayor, the funds will first be used to replace the building’s aging windows with new ones, which city officials estimate will cost $5 million. The preliminary estimate to fully restore City Hall stands at $60 million and take five years.

Commissioner Melissa Castro, the only dissenting vote on the measure, believes the community has waited long enough for change to come to the park.

When asked for a timeframe on when renovations for the park will now begin, city officials told Castro they would draft a phasing plan, but did not give a start date.

In an interview with the Gazette, she stressed how residents visit Phillips Park more than they do City Hall, and that Lago voting for the former over the latter was less about progress and more about settling scores with former Commissioner Kirk Menendez, his former mayoral opponent. 

“There were other options,” said Castro. “I really think this is retaliation just because Commissioner Kirk Menendez pushed for this so hard that he just wanted to dismantle it. As he did with my welcome packet, as he did with my permitting program, and with all the initiatives I have been pushing.”

Menendez championed plans to add new facilities and staff to Phillips Park during his time as a commissioner, but the lack of funding now leaves those plans up in the air.

One notable effort was a plan to work with the Anthony Abraham Foundation to bring U.S. Blind Soccer to the park, but now, he can only hope members of the new commission will take up the cause.

He appreciates the members of the current administration for trying to compromise with funds, but believes that Phillips Park was a promise to Coral Gables residents that they failed to fulfill. 

“In this world, and in government in particular, you can’t necessarily predict one year to the other. You do your best. But if you take $4 million out of a project, there really are no guarantees that there’ll be $4 million available down the road,” said Menendez.