The Miami City Commission approved a resolution on Thursday that will allow District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo to open an administrative office on Grand Avenue near Douglas Road in the West Grove. The resolution, approved without discussion, authorizes the City Manager to enter into a three-year lease agreement for space at 3646 Grand Avenue at an annual cost of $51,000. The property is owned by Island District Development QOZB, a limited liability company managed by Coconut Grove developer Peter Gardner. “We couldn’t be happier,” Pardo said in a video posted on social media this week announcing the agenda item.
The commission’s approval of the new district office follows neighborhood complaints about District 2’s absence from community meetings. Pardo and his staff have stopped attending community meetings organized by West Grove organizations like the Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance on the advice of the City Attorney’s office, much to the dismay of neighborhood leaders. After the Spotlight wrote about the change, Pardo responded with a statement saying in part, “this does not preclude our office from addressing community concerns. We remain committed to engaging with residents and organizations to resolve issues and advocate for the needs of District 2.”