Will Coconut Grove ever get it right?

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I wish that we were wise enough to save what makes Coconut Grove unique, charming, desirable and attractive. But little by little we keep destroying our beloved Coconut Grove…

Demolish historic homes

Allow the Playhouse to be demolished through neglect

Cut down our old growth trees (Post Office)

Build sky high luxury condos (rezone and TDR)

Try to rezone Mercy Hospital for even more luxury condos (failed thanks to lawsuit by wealthy Vizcayans)

Build waterfront dog parks

Provide exclusive leases to private schools for the use of our public parks

Demolish a perfectly useful film studio for a park that we have no budget to build

Gate and charge fees for Art Fairs and Beer Festival on our public streets and public parks

No other village that celebrates its historical significance such a St. Augustin or Williamsburg would ever consider replacing their sidewalks with brand new pavers

Many of us moved to Coconut Grove in the 1960’s, 70’s  and 80’s because we loved it’s charm and the people that lived, worked and visited here. We thought the Grove was our own version of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Sausalito and Key West, all rolled up into one. This is why we came here and this is what we hoped it would remain. Needless to say, the Grove has been changed and not all for the better. There is nothing unique about more Starbucks, more McMansions, more shopping centers, more luxury condos, more dog parks, more traffic, more high rents, more empty shops and more chain restaurants that promote fast sandwiches (not good ones).

Miami Today has a story about the success of Wynwood. “We curate our tenancies so that we create a unique experience for our consumers” said Joe Furst, managing director for Wynwood of Goldman Properties. “Content is king, and what these tenants are going to do for the area is more important to us than who is going to pay us the most money.” Mr. Furst concluded by saying “We want to keep it hip, keep it relevant, and we want to be the conduit for that conversation.”

How refreshing it is to hear those inspiring words from a developer and property manager! How lucky was Wynwood to have had a visionary developer such as Tony Goldman! How fortunate is the Design District to have a visionary developer like that of Craig Robins! Doesn’t Coconut Grove deserve its very own visionary developers as well? Isn’t the Responcibility of our elected leaders to help protect and secure our community and the desires of its residence and business operators? Who will rise to the occasion?

Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Sausalito, Key West, Wynwood and South Beach all value their uniqueness, which attracts residence, businesses and visitors alike. Shouldn’t Coconut Grove be doing the same?