Three-year-old unfinished building on Ponce faces lien threat

Street view of an unfinished building at 2700 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables with exposed upper structural elements and nearby construction cranes visible in the background.

By Coral Gables Gazette staff

A long-running enforcement case involving an unfinished project on Ponce Circle Park is expected to draw attention when the Coral Gables Code Enforcement Board meets this week to consider a series of property compliance cases across the city.

The board will convene on Wednesday, March 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the Public Safety Building community meeting room, 2151 Salzedo Street, where members are scheduled to hear several new violations along with ongoing cases returning to the board for further action.

Among the most notable matters on the agenda is the status case involving 2700 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, where the board previously found the property in violation for maintaining an incomplete building.

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The case returns following a Notice of Intent to Lien issued in January, signaling the possibility of escalating financial enforcement if the violation remains unresolved. According to the agenda, the board found the property guilty on October 19, 2022, imposed an immediate $1,000-per-day fine, required a structural engineer’s report within seven days and directed that construction be completed by April 2, 2023.

City records indicate the permit has since expired and the building process has not resumed.

Permit violations among new cases

Several of the agenda’s new cases involve work performed without the required city permits — a recurring enforcement issue in Coral Gables.

At 911 East Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Unit 1502, code enforcement officers reported interior alterations to a kitchen and bathroom without an approved building permit. The owner has been directed to cease unpermitted work and obtain the required permits and inspections.

Another case at 3812 Segovia Street involves a roof covered by a tarp without a roofing permit. The property owner must obtain a permit and complete repairs in accordance with city requirements.

The board will also review a case at 1545 Cantoria Avenue, where a building project remains unfinished beyond the time allowed under city code. Regulations require construction projects to be completed within one year unless active progress is demonstrated.

Property maintenance and right-of-way cases

Other cases involve landscaping and safety issues.

At 906 Palermo Avenue, inspectors reported missing ground cover and gravel placed in areas where sod is required. The owner must restore ground cover and comply with city landscaping standards.

At 1041 Almeria Avenue, loose or cracked tiles along a walkway have been cited as a potential safety hazard requiring repair and permits.

Another case at 6860 Sunrise Court involves crushed white rock installed on the city right-of-way without a permit. The owner must either obtain an after-the-fact permit or remove the material and replace it with sod.

Historic property cases return to the board

Two agenda items involve properties located within Coral Gables’ historic districts.

At 1117 Alhambra Circle, city staff reported exterior alterations — including a wooden fence and gate — installed without the required permits. Owners of historic properties must obtain approval before making changes that affect a structure’s appearance.

A second historic property case at 1202 Asturia Avenue returns to the board following a Notice of Intent to Lien issued in January. The board previously found the owner guilty in October 2025 of maintaining an expired building permit related to a new masonry fence and imposed a $150 daily running fine along with administrative fees if the violation was not corrected within the specified timeframe.

Board procedure

During code enforcement hearings, city staff present evidence of the alleged violation before the property owner or their representative may respond. Members of the public may also address the board before it deliberates and votes on each case.

The board may impose fines, set compliance deadlines or pursue liens against properties that fail to correct violations.

Wednesday’s meeting is open to the public and will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff

Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.

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Gazette News Dept.

Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff

Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.

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