Gables BID members vote to renew charter through 2022

The operating charter for the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables has been renewed for five more years by a majority vote of its property owners.

Sixty-two percent of BID property owners petitioned the City of Coral Gables to retain the special assessment district and renew the organization’s charter, which is reviewed every five years. The Coral Gables City Commission officially accepted the results at the Oct. 11 city commission meeting.

“This vote of confidence comes at a very important time when the Streetscape project is in full swing, and we are seeing progress,” said Venny Torre, BID president. “The next five years will be incredibly important to the continuity of the BID’s strategies for building upon its past success to make Coral Gables’ Central Business District an even more desirable place to live and do business.

“We are at the critical juncture where the hard work of the past will pave the way for continued growth and business prosperity,” Torre added.

“Our goal and responsibility is to market and advocate on behalf of our BID members in Downtown Coral Gables,” said Taciana Amador, executive director of the BID. “Over the last 20 years, the BID has focused on developing marketing strategies exclusively dedicated to promoting Miracle Mile and Downtown Coral Gables. In doing so, we’ve created a unique identity and brand that is known internationally.

The BID recently celebrated the completion of the first portion of the long-awaited Streetscape project with a block party. On Oct. 13, the BID and the City of Coral Gables officially unveiled the new pedestrian promenade on Giralda Plaza.

This year the approval of the Overlay Plan, which addresses the expanded activation options and requirements tied to the Streetscape, was also celebrated. The Overlay establishes new retail and window signage, alley signs, menu boards, colonnade/arcade signage, kiosk signage, outdoor and rooftop dining terraces, outdoor music, and pop-up retail opportunities.

The BID is credited with creating signature events such as Coral Gables Restaurant Week, Taste of the Gables and Giralda Under the Stars, as well as spearheading Downtown Coral Gables’ centralized valet parking and holiday decorations and lighting programs. Most importantly, the BID has garnered increased awareness for 300-plus Downtown Coral Gables businesses through 24/7 social media and marketing programs.

This year the BID also launched its “Building Beautiful” campaign, which is centered around producing and sharing a series of videos that are posted to an array of platforms. These one-minute videos profile the business owners and leaders of Coral Gables, bringing the story of their journey and the beauty of their business to life. The videos can be seen at www.shopcoralgables.com/buildingbeautiful/.

“With our charter renewed, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our members to ensure that we are creating the vibrant live, work, play environment intended,” Amador said.

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 general 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.

For more information and a directory, visit www.shopcoralgables.com.


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