Coral Gables to reconsider design of $63 million ‘monstrosity’ of a parking garage

“Sore thumb.” “Out-of-place and futuristic.” “Giant white monstrosity.”

Those are the words Coral Gables residents used this week to describe a $63 million parking garage that the city wants to build next to the Miracle Theater, home of the historic Actors’ Playhouse.

The proposed 10-story garage, called the Mobility Hub, includes a rooftop terrace, ground-floor retail, approximately 630 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and other amenities that Mayor Vince Lago described as being “basically curated for the future.”

The Mobility Hub will replace a preexisting parking garage that City Manager Peter Iglesias called “operationally obsolete.” It’s one of two garages the city seeks to replace on Andalusia Avenue — a plan that has been in the works for over six years. Residents have expressed disdain toward the design since its unveiling in 2021, even launching a change.org petition in opposition that garnered over 1,000 signatures.

Now facing increased pressure from residents, the City Commission on Tuesday said it will reconsider the project’s design. They agreed to hold a sunshine meeting, tentatively scheduled for late June, to hear resident views and to present new design concepts.

The night before the commission meeting, dozens of residents packed into the police and fire headquarters for a town hall hosted by newly elected Commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez. Lago, as well as Commissioners Kirk Menendez and Rhonda Anderson, who was named vice mayor on Tuesday, also attended.

The residents’ grievances were far-reaching, with many directing their ire at the Mobility Hub. Several complained that the architectural firm did not present the city with multiple options for the design. “You wouldn’t buy a shirt without picking out at least two to three different ties to wear with it,” one resident remarked.

Iglesias said Monday night that the current project budget is $63 million — a 50% increase from the previous estimate of $42 million in late 2021. He also said the city has spent approximately $2.3 million on designs from the architectural firm, Gensler, although it was unclear if he included those design costs in the overall budget.

“My suggestion would be: find a new design firm, because they have failed so far,” Coral Gables Neighbors Association President Sue Kawalerski said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Gordon Sokoloff, another resident, called the planned parking garage a “giant white monstrosity.” He said the design does not match the “Mediterranean flair” that is characteristic of Coral Gables, nor is it in line with the vision of its founder, George Merrick.

“That’s what makes Coral Gables look like Coral Gables,” Sokoloff said.

The mayor said a larger garage is necessary to accommodate increased traffic in the downtown area, and that it will be a revenue driver for the city that will “solidify and strengthen our backbone.” However, several residents at Monday’s town hall meeting said the garage is rarely full.

Lago also noted that the bulk of the project costs will be covered by parking fees — not the city’s general fund.

Fernandez told the commission that the garage’s interior is less of a concern compared to the overall aesthetic and height.

“It’s the shell that’s the biggest issue,” Fernandez said. “It’s the look of the building towering over Miracle Theater.”

Anderson said the city should consider reducing the floor heights from 12 feet to 10 feet — a suggestion that Lago appeared to consider. He told Iglesias that he would like to see designs from the architect that depict the garage with varying floor heights, and without the rooftop terrace.

“Nobody likes the design? It’s fine. Okay. But there’s a cost to changing the design,” Lago said. “I want to build consensus that we need a parking garage. That is the number one thing we need.”