Spotlight 73-250131 Parking Well

In today’s Spotlight:

Allegations of pricing abuse at Grove Garage.
Details emerge about The Well Coconut Grove plans.
Miami Marathon leads the weekend.

Is Grove G arage Gouging Customers?

Despite a 1997 agreement that capped parking rates in perpetuity in exchange for extra building height and density in Center Grove, a McFarlane Road parking garage is facing renewed allegations of exorbitant prices and excessive fees.

By Francisco Alvarado

Grove Garage on McFarlane Road. (David Villano for the Spotlight)

Last November Miami resident John Fleeman experienced a form of sticker shock that is increasingly common for visitors to Coconut Grove: paying for parking.

“I was there for just shy of 90 minutes and they charged me $17.55. I thought, wow, that’s a pretty high rate for an hour-and-a-half,” said Fleeman of his brief encounter with Grove Garage on McFarlane Road, next to Hotel Ayra, which is operated by Southpark Management.

And yet his encounter with Southpark had not ended. A few days later Fleeman received a statement in the mail claiming he had failed to pay at all and would be subject to additional fees of up to $100. His efforts to resolve the dispute went nowhere.

While such complaints of excessive, even predatory practices within the Grove’s private parking industry are not uncommon, Fleeman’s case is particularly egregious given that Grove Garage is bound by a 27-year-old agreement with the City of Miami to offer parking at the same rate charged at city-owned lots and curbside metered spaces. At present that rate is, on average, $1.50 per hour. Late fees, if paid within 30 days, are capped at $36.

Luxury Grove Development Seeks Zoning Perks But Has Not Cut Parking

As details emerge for the proposed eight-story Center Grove development, questions linger over how the project qualifies for a transit-oriented designation and the zoning benefits it bestows.

by David Villano

A rendering THE WELL Coconut Grove, which will occupy much of Tigertail Avenue between Mary Street and SW 27th Avenue in Center Grove. (Courtesy Terra Group).

A luxury mixed-use development in Center Grove has not reduced its parking capacity despite benefiting from a city program to increase building height and density due to its proximity to mass transit.

The Well Coconut Grove, an eight-story, 361,000-square-foot mixed-use residential complex on two acres of land at the intersection of Tigertail Avenue and Mary Street, is expected to be three stories higher – with 50 percent more housing units — than typically allowed under city zoning rules.

City officials say the height and density increases stem from 2023 changes in the zoning code designed to promote bus and Metrorail ridership by incentivizing development around transit hubs.

Such developments – where automobile use is less vital – are further incentivized by rules allowing reductions in parking requirements.

But the development group behind The Well Coconut Grove – Coconut Grove-based Terra group – has not taken advantage of that option, city officials have confirmed. The project will include 382 parking spaces for its 194 condo units and 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

Where We’ll Be

Can you hear them coming?

Can you hear them coming? Folks from around the world come to our neighborhood. First the sailors come for world-class regattas. Now come the runners, romantics and artists. Look into the trees and marshes and you’ll see migrating songbirds too.

Lead with romance as operatic tenor Arturo Chacon Cruz performs in a St. Hugh Steinway Concert celebrating romantic love through music. Soprano Lauren Carroll and pianist Roberto Berrocal join. Friday 1/31 at 8:00 p.m. St. Hugh Catholic Church, 3460 Royal Road. Tickets.

For runners in Sunday’s Life Time Miami Marathon, the Coconut Grove Run Club loosens up with a pre-event Grove Paradise Shakeout Run. The Run Club knows how to make running fun and welcomes participants in the half and full marathon to meet at Regatta Park and end at Sip-Sip on the roof of the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden. RSVP through their Instagram link. Saturday 2/1 at 9:00 a.m. Regatta Park, 2700 South Bayshore Drive.

Slow the pace in the afternoon and join the Tropical Audubon Society to be among the first to tour the historic Doc Thomas House – a 1932 cottage and the headquarters of TAS – after its recent renovation. They don’t build them like this anymore and exploring the grounds alone are worth the trip. Saturday 2/1 at either 1:00 or 3:00 p.m. 5530 Sunset Drive. RSVP here for your time slot. Free.

Get up bright and early to cheer the devoted runners of the Life Time Miami Marathon as they run, trot, walk and suffer through the Grove. The Friends of the Commodore Trail and the Coconut Grove Run Club join together to host a cheer station at Regatta Park, just where the runners most need your support. You’ve maybe heard about runners ‘hitting the wall’? This is the location of that legendary wall. The Run Club and Friends will bring cool water, squirt guns and a playful attitude to boost the spirits of the athletes. The first professional runners will arrive at about 7:29 a.m. Those that arrive late morning just might need your encouragement even more. South Bayshore Drive at Pan American Drive. Free.

The center of the social universe is always the King Mango Strut – so say its organizers – and there’s no need to doubt them. Relive this year’s Strut at the Wrap Party where you’ll find a video of the parade – in case you missed it – and plenty of Mangoheads to tell you how amazing their skit was. Sunday 2/2 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Fuller Street. Free.

Save Me a Seat

Charity Dominos Night for the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove Foundation centers around a retro-hip tournament. The night includes music and food to keep the vibe jumping. You don’t yet know how to play? This is a great way to learn, and the Rotarians are always there to help. Teams of two can enter to play. Spectators can cheer, eat, drink and dance. Saturday 2/8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Shake-a-Leg Miami, 2620 South Bayshore Drive. Tickets.

Vizcaya Late: Little Bahamas promises a broad range of beautiful and expressive experiences of Black Grove settlers and subsequent generations. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue. Wednesday 2/12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Modestly priced tickets.