Results

Public Official: Commissioner Maria Anderson
May 2004 Session

Final Report

The City of Coral Gables brought two projects to the Design Institute

Description of Project 2:

Andalusia RFP Sites

The City of Coral Gables is seeking development recommendations for three city owned parcels located on Andalusia Boulevard. T he City has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for development of the three sites, referred to as the “Andalusia RFP’s Area”. Andalusia RFP sites One and Two contain old, undervalued, unattractive, and ADA non-compliant parking facilities (multi-story garages). The third Andalusia RFP site contains a surface parking lot. With numerous redevelopment and improvement projects under way, the City is anticipating an overall loss in existing parking. Given the narrow dimensions of each parcel, officials are seeking vertical development that absorbs existing parking demand and meets the needs of the new structure. However, recent changes to the composition of the City Commission have resulted in new discussion concerning the need to redevelop the Andalusia RFP sites.

Design Institute Recommendations for Project 2:

The key issues and recommendations as identified by the Design Institute concerning the Andalusia RFP sites are:

1. Upgrade of ADA non-compliant parking garages is needed.
2. B-street conditions are poor.
3. Timing and establishing a patient vision for redevelopment.

Recommendations:

• Change Andalusia Boulevard from a one-way, high-speed condition to a two-way street that is more inviting to pedestrians and businesses. Consider eliminating a lane.
• Create a corridor plan that: defines A, B, and C street hierarchy (determining which is which), function, and network; improves sidewalk conditions, promotes two-way traffic, invites better development and creates value; supports retail; and provides on-street parking, sidewalks and streetscapes.
• Include in the planning process the local businesses that already fund a Business Improvement District.
• Plan the area as a whole, not as three separate sites. Implement a patient timetable and determine how and when redevelopment should take place in compliance with the corridor plan. Redevelop the worst site first.
• Continue to implement the 2002 charrette plans and use the principles of the charrette plan to reinforce planning for the corridor.
• Invite development after the plan is in place, respecting the economics of a viable street, but on the City’s terms.
• Encourage a redevelopment plan that includes mixed uses, assisted living facilities, and parking structures with liner buildings. Also include a north/south streetscape refurbishment with windows and penetrations in buildings for a more walkable pedestrian access to and from the parking garages and to permeate adjacent blocks.

Results
Coral Gables was seeking development recommendations for three city owned parcels containing out-dated parking facilities. The three parcels are said to be prime locations and are found along Andalusia Avenue. In conjunction, the three sites came to be known as the “Andalusia RFP’s Area”. In the period since the Design Institute, RFP’s for these three sites have been withdrawn. However, discussions continue concerning the appropriateness of an assisted living facility (ALF) at one of the sites.

Additional Contacts

Commissioner Maria Anderson
(305) 460-5223 manderson@coralgables.com

Planning & Zoning Department

(305) 466-6800 eriel@coralgables.com