FEBRUARY 15, 2011
City commission approves Downtown streetscape project BY DESERAE DEL CAMPO
C
ity of Coral Gables commissioners recently approved a much-anticipated streetscape project for Downtown Coral Gables that will transform Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue into an urban and vibrant pedestrianfriendly destination. “This is a great victory for local merchants, a historic opportunity for the community and an important milestone for the entire city,” said Brad Rosenblatt, president of the Business Improvement District (BID) for Coral Gables. “The efforts to bring this plan to action were reaffirmed in 2008 when the streetscape design committee was created by the BID to address the redevelopment of Downtown Coral Gables, and it is exciting to see what began three years ago, is finally coming to fruition.” The streetscape design for both Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue calls for the installation of improved urban lighting, wider sidewalks, tree canopy, benches, kiosks, the development of cleaner and more welcoming connections or “paseos” to garages and alleyways along with mid-block parks, outdoor art, intimate public space and plazas for events and gatherings. The plan also creates a better balance between pedestrian and vehicular traffic by converting the current angled parking to parallel parking to support pedestrian circulation. “The goal of this project is to put Downtown Coral Gables on the radar for tourists and locals as a shopping and pedestrian-friendly destination where people want to come to again and again,” said Mari Gallet, executive director of the Coral Gables Business Improvement District. “The enhancements proposed will only support businesses, visitors and residents for many
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STREETSCAPE, page 4
Gables’ Venetian Pool reopens to the public
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
BETH STONE The Venetian Pool is a great location to hold a birthday party.
STEVE De NICOLA
BY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON
C
oral Gables’ Venetian Pool, located at 2701 DeSoto Blvd., has reopened its doors after being closed for a few months for general repairs and maintenance. From now until Apr. 3, the pool opens Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. From Apr. 4 through May 29, the pool is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays
from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Venetian Pool is a great location to hold a birthday party and offers an excellent weekend party package available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Cost is only $265 for the first 15 guests which includes the location, tables, chairs, food and refreshments. Additional guests pay extra and there’s a maximum of 30 guests per birthday area. All Venetian Pool visitors must be at least 3 years of age or at least 38 inches tall. For information, contact the Venetian Pool at 305-460-5306.
DANIELA OLIVOS This is another in a series of profiles of outstanding students attending schools in Coral Gables. These students excel both inside and outside the classroom. See profiles beginning on page 7.