Category: Opinion
Opinion: Upzoning The Crafts Section Is NOT The Answer
by Dr. Brett Gillis The proposal that the City Commission is considering to upzone and change the land use of the 300 blocks of Catalonia, Malaga, and Santander Avenues (which are currently low-scale residential) is, at best, befuddling and concerning….
OPINION: Who Does Staff Work For?
By: Maria Cruz, resident since 1976 Once again today at the Coral Gables Commission Meeting I was able to see how the employees, yes, the staff, decides what is best for us the taxpayers and residents. Thanks to Vice Mayor…
OPINION: Has The City Beautiful Gone Over To The Dark Side?
Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, President of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables No, the City is not starring in the next Star Wars film, but it may have lost its light source—“government in the sunshine” that is. According…
OPINION: My Wish For 2021
By: Alexander Adams, AICP, CNU-A 2020 will be known as the “Year of COVID-19”. This has a negative connotation for most people, however many opportunities emerged like zoom calls, online training, working from home, enjoying family time, baking, and cooking at…
OPINION: Do Not Let History Be Gone With The Wind
By: Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell On Wednesday, the Historic Preservation Board will be faced with an important decision: preserve or lose the resource to demolition. The Board will consider local historic designation for 649 Palmarito Court per recommendation of the…
OPINION: Miracle Mile Is Not “Sick” But May Be Suffering From Munchausen’s Syndrome
By: Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell One keeps hearing that Miracle Mile is “sick.” But is it? Or is Miracle Mile suffering from Munchausen’s Syndrome– a malady where powers that be pretend to “sickness” or deliberately produce symptoms of sickness in…
OPINION: Zoning Code Re-write Will Lead To End Of Coral Gables As A Suburb
By: Jackson Rip Holmes Zoning Code re-write will lead to end of Coral Gables as a suburb, unless we speak up before final vote December 8. THE NIGHTMARE IS UPON US. The City Commission will vote December 8 on the…
OPINION: 603 Minorca Must Not be Moved
By Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, Local Preservationist The case for preservation is clearly written in the City’s local designation report. The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables is lending its support to neighbors in the latest battle to save 603…
OPINION: West Matheson Hammock Park
By: Patricia Cox This park is on track to close from October to May during the worst pandemic in our history. Hammock Lake residents opposed drivers entering the park from the county road. Miami-Dade County wants to build a 1/3…
OPINION: Nationally Designated MacFarlane District In Coral Gables Makes Headlines
By: Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, Local Preservationist Recently, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation announced the inclusion of the MacFarlane Historic District in its 2020 Florida’s 11 to Save, a list of the most threatened historic properties in the state….
