Spotlight 120-250711

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight:

The Market for Grove Office Space
Traffic Delays on Main Highway
The Fate of the Olympia Theater

Back to Work: New Office Space in Coconut Grove

Low vacancy rates and rising rents are driving developers to embrace office space projects in Coconut Grove.

By Kathryn Mann

When Rebeka Ramos read the new lease terms for her company’s offices in Coconut Grove, she was outraged by what she called an “astronomical” rent increase.

“Overnight, the rate went from $42 to $75 a square foot – up roughly 79%,” she said.

The new terms for the office space near Oak Avenue and Mary Street, proposed last year, not only angered Ramos, but surprised her, too.

As she explained, “We had been there a long time and had stayed on through COVID. We never complained. We never made a late payment.  We were very loyal.”

Ramos’s company, Dawson & Associates, had been providing accounting services in the Grove for over 30 years. The neighborhood “felt like home,” she said, adding that suddenly, “I could see from the numbers that the only choice was to move.”

Roadwork Ahead: Main Highway Project Begins

A long-anticipated repaving project along Main Highway in the heart of Coconut Grove got underway this week. Expect delays.

By Amanda Clegg

Buckle up, and get ready for road delays on Main Highway from Ransom Everglades School north to McFarlane Road in Coconut Grove. Roadwork began this week on a repaving project that is expected to tie up traffic for the next two to three weeks.

The Miami-Dade County project will be split into two phases, beginning with a short stretch of Main Highway between Royal Road and the Coconut Grove Playhouse.

Prep work on roadway utilities – valve boxes and manholes – began Wednesday and should be completed this week, according to Frank Mendoza, the county’s project manager.

After completing the necessary adjustments, Mendoza said workers can start removing old asphalt – a process called milling – next week.

For Sale (or maybe not): The Olympia Theater

The Miami City Commission chose late last month not to sell the landmark Olympia Theater in downtown Miami to a public charter school – at least not immediately – after the proposed deal was roundly criticized at the commission’s meeting on June 26. Instead, the proposed sale to SLAM Academy was deferred until the commission meeting on July 24 to allow the city to gather public input and answer questions at three community meetings. Those meeting dates have now been set. The first meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. (register here for the online meeting). The second meeting will be held at the Olympia Theater (174 East Flagler Street) on Wednesday July 16, also from 6 to 8 p.m. The third and final meeting is set for Thursday July 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the city’s commission chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive.

Where We’ll Be

Squeeze the Day, Miami

The 31^st Annual Mango Festival. Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden has announced the return of its summer tradition – and it’s juicy. This weekend, come out and celebrate Miami’s most flavorful time of the year at the 31st Annual Mango Festival, a two-day celebration filled with mango-inspired treats and festivities. With all-day events – both free and for purchase – fit for the whole family, beautiful scenery and lush nature, it’s going to be a delicious weekend! Saturday 7/12 and Sunday 7/13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Ticket prices vary.

Mango Sunday Brunch. Don’t miss the star event of the weekend – a unique culinary experience brought to you by some of Miami’s most talented chefs. JoinChef Allen Susser, award-winning author of The Great Mango Book, Cindy Hutson, Cesar Zapata and Jose Mendin as they craft a specialty menu with mangos as the center of attention. Complement your meal with a bite from the raw oyster bar presented by Chef Aaron Brooks of Sunny’s Steakhouse. Sunday 7/13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arts Center. Tickets are $120 for members and $135 for non-members. Expected to sell out. General garden admission included. Kids welcome.

Family Games. Let the games begin and enjoy some friendly competition with classic life-sized games like Ladder Ball, Connect 4, Giant Jenga and Legos. All ages welcome. Free.

Paint a Magnet. Channel your inner artist and create a fun souvenir to remember the weekend. Whether your skill level is Picasso or professional stick-figure artist, paint your own custom magnet. Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Additional $5 charge onsite.

Picardo Colors. Save your seat at the Mango Magic Art Workshop, a kid-friendly, hands-on creative experience. Create two mango-inspired projects – an art collage and an acrylic painting. Saturday and Sunday at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Limited seating. Free.

Nature Bingo. Test your “I Spy” skills with a game of Nature Bingo and see how many animals and plants you can spot. Saturday and Sunday at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. All ages welcome. Free.

Paint with Carlos Gallostra. Follow local artist Carlos Gallostra’s lead as he teaches a mango-inspired watercolor and colored pencil art class. Saturday 7/12 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If oil or acrylic painting is more your speed, catch his Mangos in Oil class at the same time on Sunday. Free.

Mango Festival Lecture Series. Learn from the experts and enjoy how-to workshops ranging from lectures about caring for mango trees to exotic mango tastings. Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Free. Find the full schedule here.

Spice Rack by Rochelle: Array of Spice. Need a break from all the fun? Indulge in some relaxing self-care in this do-it-yourself seminar as you craft mango-scented spa essentials including a sugar scrub, body butter and nourishing oil. Offered in two one-hour sessions. Saturday and Sunday at 1:45 p.m. Additional $36 per person.

Mango Tree and Fruit Sales. Choose from a selection of premium mango trees and hand-picked fresh fruits to take home. Limited quantities available. Prices vary.

Mango Marketplace. Support local food vendors and shops, and check out some mango-themed treats and handmade goods.

Bite-Size Mango Tasting. Try three mango varieties, grown right in Fairchild’s gardens. Limited ticket sales, available exclusively on-site. $5 per person.

Beer and Cocktail Flights. Choose between a flight of four brews from La Tropical brewery or a trio of mini mango cocktails – or both. Not included with ticket purchase.

Mango Smoothies. Three non-alcoholic blends with vibrant tropical flavors – a refreshing beverage for all ages. $9 each or 2 for $16.

Film: Black Life in the Time of Now. The Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora and the Coconut Grove Library present a 28-minute documentary and digital exhibition on contemporary Black life as seen through the eyes of four artists. The showing will be followed by a Q&A session. For ages 12+. Coconut Grove Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Saturday July 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. Free with registration.

Books: We Are Eating the Earth. Coconut Grove resident Michael Grunwald, the best-selling author of “The Swamp,” discusses his latest book “We Are Eating the Earth” at Books & Books in Coral Gables. The book explores the complex relationship between farming, food production and the growing climate crisis. Books & Books is partnering for this event with The CLEO Institute, which seeks to mitigate climate change through environmental advocacy and education. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. Monday July 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. RSVP for free.

Coffee and Coloring. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a rank beginner, the Coconut Grove Library invites you to enjoy a cup of coffee while practicing the quiet art of coloring at an afternoon event it’s calling Sip & Shade. Ages 19+. No word on whether participating artists will be required to stay within the lines. Coconut Grove Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Thursday July 17 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free.

Volunteer Gardening. Help steward the bird-friendly garden and grounds at the Tropical Audubon Society in South Miami at this monthly event. Volunteers can learn how to establish their own bird-friendly garden and get familiar with the principles of Florida-Friendly landscaping. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasives, rake leaves, clear debris and mulch the organization’s network of trails. Tropical Audubon Society, 5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami. Saturday July 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free, but reservations are required, at this link.