In your Spotlight
- 20-story West Grove high-rise proposed
- Bahamian museum’s status unclear
- Veterans’ call to march, and
- Calm follows the storm
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One developer is seeking to build a 20-story mixed-income apartment building on Douglas Road. Community leaders have concerns.
By Don Finefrock

A Miami developer is seeking to build a 20-story apartment building on public land at the corner of Douglas Road and Day Avenue near South Dixie Highway as part of larger effort to redevelop nine county-owned public housing properties in the West Grove.
The mixed-income project would replace a three-story building at Stirrup Plaza that now houses 65 Section 8 apartments for seniors. The county invited developers to bid on the redevelopment project last year by issuing a request-for-proposal (RFP).
Two developers – Related Urban and Integral Florida – were chosen last month to begin negotiations with Miami-Dade County to lead a redevelopment effort that will stretch across three blocks of Douglas Road from Oak Avenue north to South Dixie Highway.
Two years after a $6 million federal grant was announced, the project remains shrouded in secrecy; some residents are miffed by the lack of community input.
By Noah Gulley

More than two years ago, to much fanfare, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson presented a mock, oversized check for $6 million to Coconut Grove community leaders to fund a project that she promised would be an belated tribute to an overlooked group of early Miami settlers.
The Frederica Roberts Bahamian Museum of Arts and Culture, Wilson told the assembled crowd outside the late-19th century home of Coconut Grove pioneer E.W.F. Stirrup on Charles Avenue, would help unite a long-fractured neighborhood.
“I made a promise that we would not divide this community,” she said. “That it would be one community, one Coconut Grove, one Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove.”
Unfortunately, not everyone feels united.
Organizers of the Coconut Grove Veterans Day Parade, also known as the Red, White and Blue Parade, are actively recruiting participants to join the event on Monday November 11. “The goal is to get more locals out to actually celebrate our veterans and participate in the parade,” coordinator Kimberly Davis told the Spotlight. “Last year we requested decorated golf carts and we had a few but not nearly enough. We also want to see more families out. We want to see more businesses in the parade and also on the sidelines enjoying the parade.” The event, presented by American Legion Post 182, begins at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church (3481 Hibiscus St.), continues along Grand Avenue, and finishes at Armbrister Park, where Davis is planning to stage a contest for the best-decorated golf cart.
“The goal is to get more locals out to actually celebrate our veterans and participate in the parade. We’ve always been one Coconut Grove thus this is not a West, South, or Center Grove event. It’s a Coconut Grove event,” Davis said. “With over 500 participants, this parade is no longer a small gathering. It’s indeed a parade.” Contact Davis to join the parade or learn more at 305-697-8677 or by email at [email protected].
A Calm Before (and after) the Storm
Sometimes we need a moment of tranquility and calmness. Yours may start with Open Door Yoga which meets Sunday 10/13, 9:00 a.m. 2801 Florida Ave, Suite 20. One of their approaches may be perfect for you.
Gentle oboes and stings at the intimate (and inexpensive) Chamber Music Series of the New World Symphony provides top-flight performances in their exceptional venue on Miami Beach at Lincoln Road. Sunday 10/13, 2:00 p.m. Tickets.
Storm clouds have cleared to reveal the quiet moonrise. Our favorite evenings combine moonrise with the sunset ‘golden hour’. This coming week those occur Tuesday and Wednesday, 10/15 and 16, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Treasured sunset vistas include Big Hill, Peacock and Kennedy Parks.
Supportive comrades and new friends are found as Trail Trivia returns to the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Tuesday 10/15, 7:00 p.m. Free. 2990 S Bayshore Dr.
Bach is reimagined at U-Miami’s Frost School of Music by the Frost Chamber Players including keyboard and vocals. Thursday 10/17, 7:30 p.m. Tickets. By Metrorail: University Station.
Bike Walk to School Day is rescheduled for Thursday 11/14 due to bad weather.
The Barnacle will defer the Hialeah Hillbillies concert due to Hurricane Milton.
Save Me a Seat
This new Spotlight feature identifies ticketed events that readers may want to investigate before they sell out.
Pet-friendly orchestral music, soothing to both pets and their owners, is the innovation of Miami Symphony Orchestra. Friday 10/19. 6:30 p.m.
Candlelight Concerts’ Best of Hip-Hop on Strings has tickets still available for both the 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. performances of Friday 10/18. Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables.
Recent News
In the wake of a bruising power struggle, including allegations of misconduct and abuse, the Grove’s signature civic group is struggling to regain its relevance.
Sylburn W. Robinson, 69, had suffered a stroke in 2022 and was not in good health, his daughter said. The cause of death is pending.
Owners of Long-Closed Scotty’s Landing Demand Millions in Dispute Over Regatta Harbour Redevelopment
Scott and Kathleen Wessel claim they were promised ongoing payments as part of a licensing agreement for the waterfront site, now home to the upscale Bayshore Club.
Would Grove residents like to see a similar program started in Coconut Grove? Needless to say, there are mixed reviews.
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