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(Photo credit: Emma del Rey)
Coral Gables new Landmarks Advisory Board met in February for the first time since its creation in November 2021.
The City of Coral Gables, home to various entrances, landmarks and historic features, understood that a gap existed in city board and committee oversight as it related to the city-owned and/or maintained entrances, plazas, fountains, historic poles and lights, markers, statues, and other historically significant landmarks.
It is gratifying to finally welcome a new board whose sole purpose is to look after and care for our city's historic public treasures.
This new city board sprang from the fact that public landmarks were in need of closer scrutiny, dedicated attention, and regular maintenance from both the Historic Resources Department and Public Works — both departments in partnership to best serve these significant structures.
Prompted by the deferred maintenance and decades-long neglectful state of
several public landmarks such as the 1926 decorative White Way streetlights
and the unique and colorful Alhambra Water Tower, Jane Maranos and I saw the
need for a remedy. Our conversations culminated in a formal proposal which
was embraced by both Mayor Vince Lago and Commissioner Rhinda Anderson
who went on to co-sponsor the item.
This board is an important addition in the preservation and maintenance of the
city's cultural patrimony and I believe it will make a difference. Acting in the
public interest, in partnership with the city’s preservation efforts and public works
department, it will be able to make informed and equitable recommendations
concerning the maintenance and care of the city’s historically significant
landmarks.
In creating the new board, city commissioners believe that the addition of a
Landmarks Advisory Board will provide resident oversight of the extensive
landmarks throughout the city and allow a structure for residents and board
members to review the condition of entryways and landmarks and bring
maintenance issues to the city’s attention in a timely manner to avoid further
deterioration.
The board consists of seven members, residents of the city, with a demonstrated
passion for preservation of Coral Gables landmarks, and the city’s Historic
Resources Department along with the Public Works Department will serve as
support staff for the board.
It is about time our public landmarks get the undivided attention they deserve. A
1922 newspaper excerpt below describes a “delightful” trip along the plazas and
boulevards home to many of our public landmarks. This new board will help
keep our entrances, plazas, fountains, and other historically significant
landmarks delightful.
“Eight miles of beautiful White Way now illuminate the Plazas, Boulevards, and
Avenues of Coral Gables every night and present a new feature that marks a
great stride ahead in the Big Coral Gables Development Program…It is in fact
one of the most delightful — if not the most delightful night motor trip — of
Greater Miami.” [Miami News 1922]
Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell is president of the Historic Preservation
Association of Coral Gables.
