Javier Baños
Baños is the Editor of Gables Insider
During the January 14, 2025, Coral Gables Commission meeting, long-time resident, architect, and Planning and Zoning Board member Felix Pardo issued a stark warning about the structural state of Coral Gables City Hall. “I am here out of a sense of great urgency,” Pardo declared, citing the building’s condition as a pivotal reason for his decision to run for office this cycle, likely against Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson.
Since an incident involving falling plaster in the City Manager’s office suites late last year, public scrutiny has intensified over the historic City Hall, a Mediterranean Revival gem completed in 1928. Designed by Phineas Paist and Harold Steward, with artistic oversight from Denman Fink, it was envisioned by our founder, George Merrick as the centerpiece of a Spanish-Mediterranean city. Yet, nearly a century later, the building’s structural integrity is compromised, leading to calls for urgent action.
Structural Failures Highlighted in the Reports
Two recent engineering evaluations have unveiled the deteriorating condition of City Hall. These reports detail significant structural deficiencies and recommend immediate interventions to address safety concerns:
1. Wood/O’Donnell & Naccarato’s Structural Assessment (January 10, 2025)(updated from 2011): This report emphasizes four critical areas requiring urgent repairs:
North Exterior Column #49: The column, located on the 2nd-floor balcony, exhibits a large spall at mid-height and cracks near the top. It supports a primary roof beam, making it a crucial structural element. The report concludes, “This column must be replaced with either a reinforced concrete core or a steel pipe column surrounded by a keystone finish, as the current keystone-only structure is not code-compliant.”
South Perimeter Column #24: Significant cracks and spalling at the base, mid-height, and top of the column compromise its integrity. The report recommends shoring or adding sister columns to stabilize the structure during repairs, noting, “The damage likely extends deeper than visible and poses a significant risk if left unaddressed.”
North Perimeter Beams (2nd Floor): Spalled concrete and exposed rebar caused by corroded embedded electrical conduits are noted. The engineers propose removing the conduits, installing galvanic zinc anodes to control corrosion, and potentially enlarging the beams to improve load distribution.
West Entrance Lintel: A severely spalled concrete beam above the entrance, weakened by corroded conduits, poses an overhead falling hazard. The report states, “Access through this doorway should be restricted until temporary and permanent repairs are completed.”
The reports make it clear that immediate action is necessary to preserve City Hall. Wood/O’Donnell & Naccarato’s conclusion underscores this urgency: “All four areas must remain restricted until repairs are implemented to eliminate the risk of structural failure and falling debris.” These measures include shoring up critical structural elements and ensuring public safety by limiting access to compromised areas.
2. Ardaman & Associates’ Concrete Testing Report (April 28, 2023): This assessment evaluates the quality of the 95-year-old concrete, revealing:
High Chloride Levels: Chloride content in one sample (0.204% by mass of concrete) far exceeds the threshold (0.025%) for rebar corrosion. The report warns, “This level of chloride is expected to promote substantial corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel.”
Full Carbonation: The concrete’s pH has dropped from 12.5 to 7 due to carbonation, eliminating the protective environment for rebar and accelerating corrosion. The report states, “Carbonation has reached the depth of the reinforcement, making the structure highly susceptible to further degradation.”
Poor Quality: The concrete’s high water-to-cement ratio (0.60) and lack of modern air-entrainment make it soft and vulnerable. “The compressive strength may require further evaluation to ensure the building’s safety,” the engineers noted.
A Legacy of Deferred Maintenance
Despite these alarming findings, Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Anderson have expressed skepticism about the need to relocate operations entirely outside of City Hall. During the meeting of the 14th of January, after the above reports were already part of the record, the Lago and Anderson described City Hall as “perfectly safe.” They continue to hold office hours at City Hall, even as most city staff have been relocated and commission and other public meetings are now held at the New Public Safety Building. The statement is especially worrisome given that one of the possible points of true structural concern is right underneath Mayor Lago’s office.
This reluctance has drawn criticism, given Mayor Lago’s tenure as the longest-serving commission member since his election in 2013. Under his leadership, and that of prior Commissions, funds have been directed toward new projects—including the Mobility Hub, the Development Services Building and Public Safety Building—while City Hall has suffered from deferred maintenance. Pardo, who prepared a detailed study of the investments in City Hall of each capital improvement plan for the past 7 years, directly criticized this prioritization during public comment, stating, “The neglect of our historic City Hall is emblematic of misplaced priorities.”
Additionally, the mayor’s support for former City Manager Peter Iglesias, an engineer, raises questions about past decisions. Iglesias’ tenure saw significant investments in other projects, such as the $2.6 million in just the plans for the mobility hub, which ultimately failed, while City Hall’s structural needs went under addressed.
After the December 10, 2024, meeting, Pardo toured the City Hall building to observe the extent of structural shoring already in place and the additional measures needed. Reflecting on this, he stated, “I have reviewed the plans to save our most iconic building, and I cannot ignore how funds have been misdirected. The roof and pending window repairs are just the exterior skin of the building—the bones have been neglected for far too long.” Pardo also highlighted his experience on the Construction Review Board, noting that staff reports often conclude with a stark warning: “The structure is hereby declared unsafe by the building official.”
He emphasized the double standard, stating, “If the city holds residents and building owners to a higher standard, then it must hold itself accountable. City Hall has faced scrutiny since the first report in 2011, yet little has been done. It’s time to act decisively.”
The Historical Significance of City Hall
Added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974, Coral Gables City Hall is more than a government building; it is a cultural and architectural icon. Its limestone construction, tile roof, central clock tower, and Corinthian colonnade embody George Merrick’s vision. However, as the Ardaman report notes, “The building’s materials, while typical of the era, were not designed for the long-term durability demanded by today’s standards.”
Felix Pardo’s decision to run for office signals a shift in public sentiment. He stated during the meeting, City Hall is not just a building; it’s a cornerstone of our identity. Its preservation must become a priority. Pardo’s campaign is expected to center on restoring City Hall, controlling abuses of out of scale development, and ensuring future decisions prioritize both the city’s heritage and its functionality.
The reports leave no doubt that Coral Gables City Hall faces an uncertain future. Immediate repairs are essential to prevent further degradation, but long-term planning is equally critical. Residents must decide whether to invest in restoring this historic landmark or explore alternative uses. The upcoming campaign will undoubtedly place blame on the present and prior commission, especially Mayor Lago, for allowing City Hall to deteriorate under his watch. However, the true test of leadership lies not in assigning blame but in the actions taken to preserve this historic landmark. Residents deserve a commitment from their elected officials to prioritize the restoration and maintenance of City Hall, ensuring it remains a proud symbol of Coral Gables for generations to come.
As Coral Gables approaches its centennial, the community must consider the legacy it wishes to leave. Will City Hall stand as a testament to the city’s rich history, or will it become a cautionary tale of neglect?
