To celebrate the official unveiling of the new Miracle Mile, the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables, City of Coral Gables and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, are joining to host the Miracle Mile Back to Beautiful Celebration on Saturday, Apr. 14, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The Miracle Mile Streetscape project has transformed and improved the area stretching from the eastern side at Douglas Road (SW 37th Avenue) to the western end at Le Jeune Road (SW 42nd Avenue), delivering an enriched pedestrian experience with expanded sidewalks, outdoor dining, improved lighting, way finding, public art and more.
These improvements have brought about a more cohesive walkable experience with free Wi-Fi throughout the city, garden areas, public art, and a variety of shops and outdoor dining options.
“This is a celebration of our merchants and the unique, one-of-a-kind offerings in Downtown Coral Gables. Residents of Coral Gables, neighboring areas and Greater Miami and South Florida are invited to reconnect with Miracle Mile as we enter a new era for this historic street,” said Venny Torre, president of the BID Board of Directors. “A reimagined and more walkable Miracle Mile is ready to take back its title as a cultural destination.”
The free community event promises to be a lively evening with a magical ambiance filled with live music, activities by local businesses and engaging entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The party celebrates improvements to the beloved Miracle Mile and will kick-off with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by the City of Coral Gables, the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Expect live performances (including two local bands, a jazz quartet and electric violinist), Miracle Mile-themed caricatures and photo opportunities to capture the beautiful new details of the refreshed Downtown.
Merchants are hosting fun and unique experiences to highlight their businesses and engage with event-goers. Additionally, the first 500 attendees will receive Where Beautiful Lives branded, recyclable shopping bags, to coincide with the city’s green initiatives.
Miracle Mile will remain open to vehicular traffic. Free parking, compliments of the City of Coral Gables, will be available in Garages 1, 2 and 6 making it easy to enjoy the festivities and stay for dinner.
“The enhancements to Downtown Coral Gables bring increased vitality for current retailers and restaurants,” said Taci Amador, executive director of the Coral Gables BID.
“We are excited to have the entire community come out and revel in this momentous occasion as they are reintroduced to their City Beautiful,” Amador added.
“What a wonderful celebration of the completion of a ‘Miracle’ project,” said Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli. “From the ’90s when a median was installed to now, 20 years later, Miracle Mile has been nurtured; with the achievement of the beautification of our Downtown our ‘Mile’ is worthy of the City Beautiful.”
Developed in 1925 as one of the nation’s first fully planned communities, Coral Gables was built on the idea of combining residential enclaves and commercial areas, which still holds true today. The new amenities refresh the Coral Gables lifestyle while keeping its historic charm intact.
The new enhancements also make getting around Downtown Coral Gables easy with multiple options such as the award-winning Coral Gables Trolley system, a new partnership with Freebee and several parking options that make getting to (and staying in) the Gables effortless.
Currently, Downtown Coral Gables is home to 170 independent retailers and restaurants including cultural organizations such as the Actors’ Playhouse, Coral Gables Cinema and Books & Books. This dynamic mix of new and old, creates a lively epicenter providing one-of-a-kind offerings and experiences.
Following the celebration, Downtown Coral Gables will be introducing additional marquee events throughout 2018: Coral Gables Restaurant Week, Art Month, a Live Music Series and Coral Gables Culinary Month, all meant to breathe vibrancy back into the area.
The Business Improvement District of Coral Gables was incorporated in July 1997 and encompasses 19 blocks of Downtown Coral Gables including Miracle Mile. As an advocate for downtown issues, property owners, and businesses, the BID empowers district members through a single-unified voice, speaking collectively to governmental and civic organizations and the public in order to bring prosperity to the District. Its mission is to promote commercial vitality for Miracle Mile and Downtown Coral Gables through marketing and advertising, and to act as a strategic catalyst for the overall improvement of the area.
As part of the City Beautiful, Downtown Coral Gables is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with more than 150 property owners and over 350 merchants including restaurants. Infused with a chic European feel, tree-lined streets and Mediterranean architecture, the historic area boasts one-of-a-kind offerings and experiences, where locals and visitors can take advantage of a tastefully cultivated community and effortless lifestyle.
For more information, visit www.shopcoralgables.com.
