Gables approves $16 million makeover for Miracle Mile (Miami, Coral Gables: fit in, landscaping)

[WINTERFRONT]

BY TANIA VALDEMORO

TVALDEMORO@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Miracle Mile, the downtown center of Coral Gables, is inching towards a massive transformation that business and civic leaders touted as a ``game-changer'' at a time when neighboring urban centers have lured away tourists and residents.


Read more: Gables approves $16 million makeover for Miracle Mile - Coral Gables - MiamiHerald.com (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/27/2038024/gables-approves-16-million-makeover.html#ixzz1CMYfldWE - broken link)

[CLTKing]

It wasn't too long ago when they built the medium, planted palm trees and reduced the street to two lanes.....a waste of money back then, a bigger waste of money today.....

[BlueBlueBlue]

The palm trees also make great out of control car barriers. Seriously, whoever thought up palm trees on medians or side of the road in Miami were idiots. And they still keep doing it.

[cixcell]

why? i like the palm trees. without the tropical look/lifestyle what else does miami have to offer? nothing.

[WINTERFRONT]

I'd prfer banyan trees, but they scare me.

[hurricaneMan1992]

The "game changer" that Coral Gables needs is to loosen up local regulations and lower taxes to allow for a more business-friendly environment. Not increase taxes and drive business/residents away with unnecessary construction headaches.

[Coconut1]

Wonderful news. I've seen the signs on the Mile for a long time now (redevelopment signs) and am glad they're finally getting around to doing it.

The medians are good to have... I hope the cut down the current trees that are there (the ones that lose their leaves) and replace them with something other than the bismark palms. I don't think they're very tropical looking.

[boxus]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

The "game changer" that Coral Gables needs is to loosen up local regulations and lower taxes to allow for a more business-friendly environment. Not increase taxes and drive business/residents away with unnecessary construction headaches.

Seems they are doing the opposite!

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

The "game changer" that Coral Gables needs is to loosen up local regulations and lower taxes to allow for a more business-friendly environment. Not increase taxes and drive business/residents away with unnecessary construction headaches.

I like many of their restrictions.

There are plenty of places people can live besides CG if they don't like the restrictions, but few places people can live if they want restrictions like what CG has.

[Chelito23]

I too also remember when they planted the palm trees. There was some debate at the time about continuing the Banyan tree corridor to make it special and shady...but of course people complained about the seeds the trees drop, they are messy, and the roots that lift up the street and they are exotics and blah blah blah. So they put in the Las Vegas style palm trees that were all the rage. Personally I think they don't fit in well...but I do like the idea of reworking the landscaping and creating gardens.

Other than that, it doesn't seem like anything new is being proposed. Coral Gables is great...but could have been so much more, the heart of the county...but they preferred a much more conservative and quiet role. I think that has allowed South Miami, the Grove and Brickell to thrive.