Under the University of Miami’s proposed campus agreement, the university would gain hospital-use authority, greater development flexibility and certain parking rights, while the city would receive annual payments and 5.52 acres of parkland—subject to approval on terms acceptable to UM. (Gazette illustration, Photo by Shutterstock).
A link to UM’s proposal to the City of Coral Gables of 6.11.2026 would have been helpful in order to understand and get more detailed information on this.
It’s difficult if not impossible to get things done in America today. Laws and bureaucracy and nimbys make it so. The City’s professional staff and the Planning and Zoning Board have more expertise and exist to more properly vet land use proposals than individual residents. Let’s rely on what they’ve done, and let’s rely on UM’s expertise and goodwill. The University isn’t out to turn a quick buck by building and then moving out to another city to make another quick buck; its home is here, in perpetuity.
The rush to vote without adequate studies, is a disconcerting trend which has been happening throughout our City. It’s no longer the exception, but has become the rule. Coupled with the lack of listening to our residents, especially those most affected, the majority of our City leaders are not safeguarding our City or the effect their actions are having on our residents.
I’m not against the development (although I do think the hospital is not a good idea); however, UM needs to be a good neighbor (1) stop using huge buses for shuttles; (2) along with this development, build parking on campus (the parking under the Metro-rail should only be for the Metro-rail) – the rest should be park space; and (3) work with the city to make Ponce a safer street and a beautiful street (albeit this is mostly the city, but UM needs to be involved).
This can be a win-win for all, but UM cannot be allowed to abuse our streets and public space as is currently the case.
Everyone knows full well that the 100-bed hospital will become 250 beds in no time. And 17,500 students is HUGE for that sized campus.
Reject all of it.
Reject it all.
We are a community of 49,700 residents and the University of Miami. I am very proud that the University of Miami was founded by a gift from George Merrick in 1925 of $5M in cash and 160 acres of land. June Thomson Morris wrote a great article about Merrick and the University of Miami in 2025 at https://coralgablesmagazine.com/umhistory/. Per June’s article, the contributed land is worth almost $3 billion dollars per today’s value. I strongly feel that both residents and the University of Miami should be given more time to consider and voice their opinion about this significant change. Residents are disappointed if they do not get what they request. But they are more resentful when they are ignored, disrespected or prevented from voicing their opinion. We understand that when you live in a community, you will not get your way every time. But we still want to be heard because we all care very much about the City’s future. I think that our local government should delay the process to hear the requests from both residents and the University of Miami and then make a decision by telling us the reasons why that decision was made. This is the transparent decision-making process that this City has lost under its current voting-majority that gives special benefits and zoning code exceptions to people who make substantial contributions to their political campaigns and PACs. Elected officials who personally attack someone voicing opposition are either trying to cover-up their own ignorance or the reason why they voted on such decision.
There isnt near enough information here to form any informed decision regarding these questions
The one thing that does jump up like a jack in the box, is a request for Hospital, when Doctors Hospital is practically on UM property, as well as UM Hospital at NW 12 and NW 14 St. Why would the university need another hospital
I am an FSU grad, so I don’t have any alignment with UM. I also live a few blocks away from UM. They have only been good neighbors. I do not see anything wrong with their requests.
Widening of the right-hand lane on Granada as it reaches Ponce is much needed. Traffic gets backed up to Pisano. Bad drivers decide they can’t wait in line and ride the left-hand turn lane, then turn right at the intersection, cutting in front of all the waiting cars who want to go straight or also turn right. I have seen two accidents occur because traffic on Ponce turning left onto Granada is not expecting a vehicle in the left lane to proceed into the intersection to make an illegal right turn. The police could give lots of tickets because going straight or making an illegal right is so flagrant, you can see it happening every day (morning rush hour and evening–when they also “block the box” making it impossible for traffic on Ponce to go straight). It would mean re-locating (hopefully, rather than chopping down) several mature trees that grown on the verge. Drivers even go “off-roading” over the white line onto people’s lawns just to turn right a little sooner at the Granada/Blue Road intersection. It’s just ridiculous!
Stop destroying our city.