Are the neighbors part of the problem?
As I pondered why the staff at one popular restaurant was sitting around and practically sleeping last Thursday night, on what is usually one of their most busy nights of the week, I was told that neighbors in the Grove are complaining about the loudness of music being played by various venues around town. Most places have to shut the music off quite early.
The Mayfair Hotel & Spa used to have many events up at their rooftop, not so much anymore because the neighbors complain about the noise. So now the Mayfair turns down many well paying events in order to keep the peace.
At a recent Gallery Walk, neighbors called the police because the musicians were too loud for them. This was at 9 pm! It was three mariachis strumming guitars. Not really what I would call loud music, but still, the cops came out, because they are required to, and the event was subdued.
Now there isn't much music around town because neighbors complain. And this is another piece of the puzzle of why the Grove is going downhill fast.
What do they do on South Beach and Brickell where residents live right on top of the entertainment district?
posted by Tom Falco at 10:30 AM
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14 Comments:
This issue should be formaly address by the Village Council, presenting practical solutions to the BID and the powers-that-be at City Hall.
I'm 100 percent sure that the vast majority of residents and visitors would like more music, louder events, itks only a few older fellows doing the bitching..
I agree 100% with the above comment and I would like to add that no music no 5am alcohol late night = no business for the Grove. We all know what the Grove is all about fun food, people, alcohol late Nights dancing bar hopping, breakfast fun lunches ..... So if you do not like the above and what the Grove is then why do certain people move to the grove or now begin to complain. Its like saying I will move next to the airport and now I am going to complain about the loud noise of the airplane. No matter how much we debate the issue with out an ambiance which is created by music, sound, lighting, people, food,.... the Grove will not rebound. I used to go to the Mayfair rooftop and it was beautiful to eat have a drink maybe dance ( enjoy life) I guess that's the problem some people do not know what it is to enjoy life. The grove is not a retirement community. We need change and old habits need to go. Other areas in Miami are doing good and so can we.
The grove looks nice during the day with all the plants and flowers but what about a night I remember when all the tress had lights. Look at Miracle Mile all trees have lights the Grove can do the same it is about image and presentation to create a destination not only for tourist but also for locals (in the grove to go out at night and support the business) but also to make it a destination for people in Miami to enjoy our Location. When i say make it a destination that is 24 hour a day a place where you can have breakfast and place to have a lunch or an executive lunch, happy hour dinner movie dancing and a late night snack. One example would be if I am going to have a corporate event or even a party I would like a place where I(WE) can enjoy the location which we have (lets say the Mayfair Roof top) but I have to stop my activities early and on top of that there is not much to do at night but to eat. I see no Reason why some one would book the Grove as a destination. We all need to awake and realize that we need changes done quickly before the Grove hits the flat line.
Sledge,
My personal perception is that a small handful of very vocal and very involved neighbors are the biggest problem ... they complain about noise, about roads being closed, about outsiders coming into the Grove. They hate newcomers and wish the Grove was like it was in the 60s and 70s. Makes me think of "The Time Warp" but not so fun.
There are a lot of people like me, and it seems you, who moved to the Grove so we could be in a lively, active walking community, only to have the bar hours limited, the noise squelched, the events moved or shut down, the businesses shuttered one by one. I have been putting myself out there repeatedly to support that active commercial sector, which I believe benefits us residents in both our quality of life and the value of our homes, and have been shot down over and over by these cranky old farts (some not much older or the same age as me, but let's face it, age is relative).
Unfortunately, our City Commissioner has chosen to marginalize the Village Council (who are elected by residents of the Grove) in favor of self appointed representatives from neighborhood associations that are the biggest whiners and complainers, as well as a handful of big campaign contributors who live close to the action and next to Peacock Park. The Village Council can certainly bring up the issue as an agenda item, but we have no official power to change these things. We succeeded in getting a Commission meeting to reconsider the bar hours limitation, which was conducted like a staged dog and pony show about drunk drivers and then the issue was effectively squashed through the formation of yet another committee of people appointed by the Commissioner, to "study" the issue.
The people who think like us need to show up in force, at BID meetings, at Commission meetings, etc. OVER and OVER, talk when comments from the public are allowed, write emails, etc., not just to our commissioner but to the other four, the mayor, the City Manager, and depending on the issue to our county and state representatives where it might make a difference. Most importantly, we need to exercise our right to vote, which when only 8% vote in the election for Commissioner, clearly is not happening. Having had the opportunity to change things, and not having bothered to even show up at the polls, we as a community have gotten what we deserve.
I will no longer be the Chairperson of the Village Council after the next meeting. I have given as much of my time to this community as to making a living for about the last five years, and I can't afford to continue to do that. I need to focus and tend to my own needs for a while. It's time for some new blood to step up and take on the silent and apathetic majority's battles. We have some great new Village Council members, but we can't do it without the community behind us, and not just by saying in blogs what we should do for them. Are you in, Sledge?
Sincerely,
Michelle Niemeyer
When I was involved in the planning of a large event on South Beach, the bars had a decibel limit they had to stay under. Still plenty loud enough for everyone to enjoy. The cops had equipment to check the level, and did. The clubs and neighbors knew it and everyone was satisfied.
And thanks Michelle for all your hard work :)
Completely agree with all the comments above.
"The Village Council can certainly bring up the issue as an agenda item, but we have no official power to change these things"
Michele, there should be ways to change these draconian, retrograde rules, and at least, level the playing field between the Grove, and the rest of Miami: They close at 5am elsewhere. They play music, much louder almost everywhere, with loud Discoteques (as we used to have), concerts, live bands, and even nude dancing joints! (I'm sure papa Sarnoff would love one of those here in his cozy Village for the eldery)
We could arrange some kind of petition, with internet votes, to bring back the 5am closings and allow for some music at certain decibel level, certain days in certain areas. As they have everywhere else! I'm sure more than 80% of the residents want that, and only very few old gizzards are the ones calling the cops. Move out to Pinecrest or Naples!
I agree with all of your points, people should have voted, instead of weeping and complaing now, if they don't like the current state of affairs.
But we should remain positive and move forward. With clear proposals, backed up with facts and examples elsewhere, and 80% of the Grove residents voting, (fliers, some moderate advertising to motivate people to vote on these issues, a list of main problems which we all know very well..) and then present the results to the Bid, the City or/or County officials. With a set of specific steps to change this mess we're in, and revitalize the Grove, change it's dying, retrograde image, and bring back the vibrant Grove most of us move here for in the first place.
Don't we pay the salaries of our elected officials to Represent the wishes and concerns of the majority of our residents?
That's the only way I see to pressure Sarnoff and the City to act, and change things. We have already tried seceding from the City, twice, very seriously, not an easy task.. We certainly should vote next time, to remove the officials who are not servicing the needs and desires of the majority of our residents.
We appreciate and thank you for all your efforts and great work for the Grove Michele, sad to see you go from the Village Council, regarding many issues, not just this, the waterfront, canopy and many more.
I don't really have the patience to sit through those long meeting every week, but I will be glad to continue to attend to some of them, and contribute specific ideas on various topics. I could also volunteers some hours and even distribute flyiers on my bike!
Best,
Carlos Iglesia
Thanks, Carlos. I'm not leaving the Council, just the leadership of it. I have to say, though, I'm tired of making noise like the tree falling in the forest. It seems that if 90% of the Grove's residents showed up on the steps of City Hall demanding change there still would be no change. Petitions sound great, but they have no power over people who are convinced they are right even as stores close all around them. Coming to meetings and talking is a useless waste of time unless the people who can make changes are willing to listen. I am at a loss as to how to accomplish that. The Village Council has a "New Business" item on every agenda. I hope you'll bring this up then, and bring as many people as you can get to come with you. We can discuss ways to get LOTS more people engaged, and by engaged I don't mean by sitting around talking, which is useless unless it is followed by action. M
Hello Everyone:
I agree 100% with all of your comments. I moved to the grove - as a newly wed - last April and while I absolutely love living in the Grove I see the potential that is being wasted.
Even though my time is currently limited - as I am working and going to law school - I still would like to help in whatever way I can to promote changes in our community. If it means going to meetings I will find time. Is there a group of people already organized to make a change??
My best,
FR
Michelle, when/where is the next Village Council meeting? I'll stop by and we could all exchange ideas. I'll try to me more vocal this time, but I much prefer action in the streets and at City Hall.
I wrote and submitted before a quick list of key issues that need to be addressed, and which could revitalize the Grove rather expeditiously. Such as competitive rents, parking incentives, 5am closings, public events, or some targetted advertising to change the Grove's current dead image.
There are practical, and realistic actions which could be taken with not too much BID money (certainly not wasting it, as they did with 40k on a useless website). I am willing to contribute time to help implement such measures out here, to jump-start our Village, and shake things up at the City/County levels. Whatever it takes.
I have numerous specific ideas which make sense and should work, regarding various key issues. I'm sure you and many others have excellent opinions or view-points to share as well.
And I agree that getting more people, our neighbors, "young blood" actively involved is crucial. We can share ideas on that as well: exactly how to get a lot more people actively involved. Several specific ways come to mind.
To revitalize the Grove to what it was, or better, and become again a vibrant young place, plus our unique Bayside (Alas, if we only could see it, huge thing to fix, right there, open up the waterfront..)-- it should be a concerted effort attacking many areas at once.. economic (rents, sidewalks..advertising the new Grove, change our Horrible Image in Miami right now.. (also promote our numerous and unique historic sites, safest place in Miami..) attract new businesses, etc, but also the live events, the music,arts, parking,fix the streets and even shut some of them them down for sports events, etc.
That should be the Grove's new image: ART, FUN, EVENTS, HISTORY, BAYSIDE VIEWS, SPORTS, best movie theater, Playhouse to return, etc.
The things we were famous and successful for a decade ago, and made us unique.
You have to attack many fronts at the same time to produce results, and "electroshock" this slumbering ghost town.
Any ideas Felipe? Welcome!
Carlos I.
I am all for making changes. It is true about that we need new blood in the Grove. I want to start by saying THANK YOU MICHELLE for all that you have done all your time and effort has not gone unnoticed. I will be frank with all, I used to be a business owner in the Grove back in 2002-2006, and do to the changes I had to leave because of noise and not being able to be granted a 5am variance...... I have always lived and loved where I grew up Miami and The grove. During my time as a business owner I had to carry the municipal code in my back pocket at all times when we had the police called on us for noise violations and all the times I succeeded with the police not to shut down the location. I knew what was about to happen to my establishments. I was one of the big night time destinations in the grove. I am back in the Grove now but I can only see one thing, the Grove is going down the hill. I agree we all need to start voicing our opinion and new ideas. WHEN IS THE NEXT MEETING? My wife and I want to start attending and being an integral part our community and helping to revitalize the Grove.
It's good to see that there are others out there on the same page as we are.
I think it's important that we all organize our thoughts and ideas before the next meeting. It's important that we can workout a strategy on how to approach all the issues with the grove and how they can be best dealt with.
I took the liberty of creating a Google group which I think might be a good way to keep everyone in touch and updated on when meetings take place, etc. Here's the link: http://groups.google.com/group/coconutgrove33133
I look forward to meeting you all.
My best,
FR
We have a full calendar of events in the Grapevine. See top of page. All meetings are listed.
At a time when we have dozens of new playgrounds in Miami: Wynwood, Midtown, Design District, South Beach, Lincoln Road and some more, it seems that the Grove is going backwards and fast.
- Lots of stores are closed, making a stroll around the Grove highly unappetizing
- Personally, I find that the restaurants and bar are over-priced in many cases, but there is some unappealing dirtyness to many of them (for example, the Johny Rockets) that just isn't attractive. It could be the nearness to the traffic
- Parking continues to be a problem even with the decrease in people coming over
- And, naturally, the size of the Grove doesn't make things attractive: as storefronts shrink, the "walkable" area shrinks too and walking the entire Grove on a lazy night is at best 20 minutes
If the Grove were a computer, I'd say "reboot". Start over. From scratch.
- There should be some way to incentivate owners of empty storefronts to do something with them, I know artist studios have been suggested. I think that's brillian.
- In NY there are many pop-up businesses: restaurants, demos... why not here? I'm sure many marketing companies would welcome the opportunity to have something up for 1 week or so
- Whatever affordable parking there is should be better signaled so people can find it easily
- Pedestrian streets would be a welcome addition. The little street between Mayfair and CocoWalk, for example, would be great. Commodore Plaza would be ideal, but probably not doable. But the other little street that goes up from grand where you can only turn right at the end... bingo
- The city government could use a page from Madrid. When Tierno Galvan was Mayor, he had tons of out door festivities; there must be better ways to use our parks
When I first moved to Miami the Grove was a bohemian, edgy and fun neighborhood. I don't think that is coming back, but there needs to be a way to invent the next next thing
The Village Council changed its regular meeting date last month, but we have always had a regular meeting date. It is at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, unless we notify otherwise.
Thank you Michelle. So the next upcoming meeting is March 1.
I will be there.
Thanks,
FR
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