Spotlight 89-2503028

Good morning. In today’s Spotlight:

How The WELL Grew to 8 Stories
Two Grove Shootings – One Fatal
The Weekend’s Here: Where We’ll Be

The WELL: How 5 Became 8

A luxury Center Grove condo tower will be three stories higher than rules prescribe thanks to a controversial task force’s recommendation and a little-noticed, 11^th-hour tweak to a proposed change in the city’s zoning code.

By David Villano

The 2023 zoning code change a developer is using to increase the height of a luxury residential tower in Center Grove was originally intended to exempt Coconut Grove from its provisions but city officials removed the exemption – with no public notice – just moments before a final commission vote.

The measure passed unanimously with no discussion, paving the way for Coconut Grove-based Terra Group to scrap plans for a five-story condo project on the corner of Tigertail Avenue and Mary Street and replace it with an eight-story, mixed-use luxury development, The WELL Coconut Grove.

Records show that the controversial code change – allowing a height increase from five to eight stories on properties in some cases up to a mile from a Metrorail station – appeared on the September 29, 2023 commission agenda with a provision to exempt Coconut Grove and other areas protected with a Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) zoning overlay.

But as commissioners prepared to vote on the amendment, then-City Attorney Vicky Mendez noted for the record a “substitution” to the proposed ordinance, replacing the Grove-wide exemption with one that protects only the Grove’s single-family neighborhoods.

Back-to-Back Shootings in West Grove

Miami Police are adjusting how they patrol the neighborhood in the wake to two shootings – one fatal – less than a week apart.

By Don Finefrock

Two recent shootings – one fatal – near Douglas Road in the West Grove have prompted Miami Police to adjust how they patrol the neighborhood, at least temporarily, Coconut Grove Police Commander Daniel Kerr said this week.

“This is our hot time. The weather starts heating up. Everyone starts getting out. I need a better police presence in the evening and the overnight hours. So I need to start pushing more enforcement out there,” Kerr told members of the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association (HOATA) on Monday.

“We have additional resources this week,” Kerr added, attributing the extra manpower to this month’s school break. “You’re going to see a much larger police presence, particularly along Florida Avenue, which is kind of the hub of the problems I see.… So, that whole strip of Florida Avenue is going to be a pretty intense police presence.”

The first shooting happened late afternoon on Wednesday March 19 in the 3700 block of Percival Avenue, near Douglas Road.

“A man was shot, about a block from here,” Kerr told HOATA members at their monthly meeting next to Aldi’s grocery store on Douglas Road.

Coral Gables Honors its Black Pioneers

A new historic marker at the corner of Grand Avenue and U.S. 1 recognizes the Black families who settled two pockets of segregated land next to Coconut Grove for their contributions to the area’s early history.

By Jimena Romero and Julia Cooper

Over 100 years ago, the Macfarlane Homestead and Golden Gate subdivisions were bustling areas where many Bahamians and Black southerners — drawn by the prospects of new beginnings — were creating homes and livelihoods in the midst of the Great Florida Land Boom.

Now, as the City of Coral Gables — where the subdivisions are located — is celebrating its centennial, the predominantly Black neighborhood bordering Coconut Grove is being marked for its historic contributions to the area.

Last week, a small ceremony to unveil the new historic marker drew a crowd to the corner of U.S. 1 and Grand Avenue to celebrate the recognition.

“This moment is really historic for our family,” said Leigh Cooper-Willis, a Golden Gate resident. “Just to preserve our history and let everyone know the great work that was put into our neighborhood.”

Where We’ll Be

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, Regret

Repurpose your inner fire as the Grammy-nominated Seraphic Fire choral shares the power that a cappella performance can bring to moments of introspection during a concert of spiritual music. Inspired works from centuries of composers will be presented. Church of the Epiphany, 8235 SW 57th Avenue. Friday 3/28 at 7:30 p.m. Free with advanced registration here.

Recycle your obsolete electronics, unusable batteries and forgotten computers at the drive-through Electronics Recycling Day at Regatta Park. Come on, you can do this. Saturday 3/29 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 3500 Pan American Drive. Free.

Restore both body and mind with moments of quiet purpose during the Coconut Grove Library’s bi-weekly Wednesdays of Well-being Yoga Hour. Novices and experienced yogis can all join this group that focuses on mindfulness, flexibility, and relaxation. Breathe in, hold and exhale slowly as you register with the branch beforehand at 305-442-8695 or [email protected]. Coconut Grove Library. 2875 McFarlane Road. Wednesday 4/2, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

Remain in awe of the combined musical power of a 71-rank organ paired with percussion instruments from around the world in a free concert. The Organized Rhythm duo will adapt works from Aaron Copland to Gustav Holtz during their presentation at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables. 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables. Friday 4/4, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Replant a free fruit tree, hardwood tree or shrub and celebrate Arbor Day with the City of Miami’s Building Department. Gotta give them credit for trying. The first give-away will happen at Douglas Park and those at the front of the line will get first pick – but pre-registration is required. Please don’t just show up, for there is advanced paperwork to fill out online and proof of residency documents to bring with you. All the instructions and the link to register can be found online. Douglas Park, 2755 SW 37th Avenue. Saturday 4/5, starting at 9:00 a.m. Free.

Reuse empty plastic flower pots when you can and when you can’t, the Native Plant Network is eager to take used plastic pots off your hands. This little-known branch of Fairchild Tropical Garden makes a big impact county-wide as it propagates and distributes free plants native to South Florida’s unique pine rockland environment. How? Super simple. Just stack up your pots behind the mailbox at the gate that you’ll find at 11935 Old Cutler Road. When the NPN gardeners come by later, they’ll pick them up and quietly thank you for your help. Free.

Regret if you fail to take the Secret Garden Tour of Coconut Grove through seven specially-curated and inspirational gardens. This year it’s totally walkable in a small North Grove neighborhood. Advanced ticket sales are required – no walk-ups – to respect the privacy of the generous gardeners that are allowing guests to see what lies behind their garden gates. As the Spotlight went to press, tickets still remained on the Friends of the Commodore Trail website. Secret North Grove location. Saturday 4/5, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 4/6, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tickets.

Recite poetry, or simply be moved by the spoken word during Poetry Night at the Barnacle. This second annual event helps start national poetry month and will feature former poet-laureate of the United States, Richard Blanco. Blanco will recite some of his works. So too will students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Sunday 4/6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nominally priced tickets here.

Save Me a Seat

Make plans now for New World Symphony’s last Wallcast of the season. New World Symphony, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Saturday 4/19 at 8:00 p.m. Free.