By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Vacant storefronts along Miracle Mile have become a familiar frustration for Coral Gables residents, business owners and public officials. At the City Commission’s Oct. 28 meeting, two agenda items showed a united push to make downtown buzz — one launching a holiday-season pilot for retail pop-ups, the other exploring a recurring “signature day” to draw locals and visitors back to the Central Business District.

Pilot program for vacant storefronts

The first measure, sponsored by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, directs City Manager Peter Iglesais to launch a pilot program during Small Business Month and the holiday season to activate empty storefronts along Miracle Mile. Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Throckmorton introduced the item, explaining that the initiative would prioritize existing merchants while exploring a broader mix of retail and art vendors if successful.

Anderson described the pilot as a practical step to draw pedestrians back to the Mile and encourage prospective tenants to fill vacant spaces. She emphasized that the program’s intent is to boost retailers rather than restaurants, with the goal of restoring steady foot traffic and consumer confidence along the corridor.

“This is an opportunity,” Anderson said, noting that visible vitality could inspire investors and shop owners to take a chance on currently empty locations.

Economic Development Director Belkys Perez said her office is already coordinating with property owners willing to open unused storefronts for temporary art installations. Two such spaces are now serving as working studios and gallery displays, curated by local artists. The goal, Perez explained, is to let pedestrians watch art being made in real time, adding life to the street while supporting creative businesses.

The commission approved the pilot resolution unanimously, 5–0, giving the city flexibility to design and implement it through the end of the year.

Ideas for a “Signature Day”

Later in the meeting, Commissioner Melissa Castro initiated a broader discussion on downtown revitalization and the possibility of creating a recurring “signature day” for Coral Gables’ Central Business District. She said the idea emerged from a recent town hall with the Gables Good Government Committee, where residents voiced concern over declining activity and growing storefront vacancies.

Castro outlined a list of community-generated suggestions, including themed events like “Wind Down Wednesdays” or “Downtown Tuesdays,” and a “Gables Hour” concept promoting coordinated happy hours across the city. Each, she said, could serve as a pilot for recurring events that encourage residents and visitors to dine, shop, and linger downtown.

Commissioner Richard Lara supported the discussion, emphasizing that revitalization efforts should be coordinated citywide and designed to enhance the resident experience. He referred to his own meetings with Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.), a Denver-based consulting firm that has helped establish more than 75 Business Improvement Districts nationwide and is currently assessing the feasibility of relaunching one in Coral Gables. Lara said the city should continue engaging directly with both residents and business stakeholders to ensure alignment.

Vice Mayor Anderson added that she had met with P.U.M.A as well. Her idea is to extend the downtown focus beyond Miracle Mile to include Ponce de Leon Boulevard and the city’s cultural and arts institutions. Those venues, she said, already attract visitors who stay overnight, dine, and shop, and could become the connective tissue of a stronger downtown ecosystem.

Anderson urged the city to remain an active partner in any public-private coalition, guiding future initiatives and ensuring they align with Coral Gables’ distinctive character. Lara echoed her point, calling for a larger municipal seat at the table to increase the odds of long-term success.

As the discussion closed, Anderson observed that the commission appeared to be united in its priorities, noting with a smile that they were “on the same page and didn’t even know it.”