Wednesday, June 29, 2005
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CONTENTS:"Pay by Cellphone" Parking a Hit
Celebrate "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" at the Biltmore
Mayor of Cartagena Visits Coral Gables
Got Flooding? Call Us
The Trolleys: One Millionth Rider Coming Soon
Planning Department Receives Excellence Award
Don't Miss Gallery Night
"Experience Your Backyard" Program Offers Maritime History
Traffic Watch
Cultural Events Roundup
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"Pay by Cellphone" Parking a Hit >>> Earlier this month, the City of Coral Gables unveiled a new, high-tech parking pay-by-cellphone solution that received national attention and news mentions in Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. A total of 850 people have registered since the pilot began on June 1. Gone are the days of scrambling to get change for the parking meters or interrupting dinner to go out and feed the meter. Thanks to a partnership between Coral Gables and Mint, Inc., a Canadian company that provides electronic payment solutions, drivers can now pay for parking with something they've got handy all the time: their cellphones. Haven't tried it yet? Here's how it works: First, register for the service by calling 1-866-Pay Mint (1-866-729-6468), which is printed on the green stickers now affixed to every parking meter, or by visiting www.mintinc.com on the Web. A Visa or Master Card credit card number, license plate number, cellular phone and e-mail address are required for registration, which takes about six minutes. Once registered, the driver pulls into a parking space and calls the number on the green sticker to begin a parking session, then calls again upon leaving to end the session. The system calculates the applicable parking fees and deducts that amount, plus a .25 cent transaction fee, from the driver's account. For people who park in the Gables often, a $7 a month package will allow unlimited transactions. Parking meter enforcement officers recognize pay-by-cellphone users by a sticker Mint provides for each registered car. They also are able to check that a valid pay-by-cellphone transaction is in progress. Customers are responsible for logging out of the system and are liable for any fees incurred until they actually log out. Coral Gables is the first municipality to offer this service in the United States. Pay by Cellphone is available at all on-street and off-street parking locations operated by the City. For more information, call the Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5541, or the Mint Customer Service Center at 1-866-729-6468.
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Celebrate "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" at the Biltmore >>> Independence Day is almost here. Why not bring the family to a day-long celebration at the historic Biltmore Hotel? This year, the City celebrates 10 years of hosting the best Fourth of July fireworks display in town. "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" kicks off Monday, July 4, with two golf tournaments and a tennis match: The Firecracker Open Golf Tournament at the Biltmore Golf Course at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Sparkler Golf Tournament at the Granada Golf Course, and the Stars & Stripes Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament at the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center at 10:30 a.m. Later on, enjoy tasty foods starting at 4:30 p.m., carnival activities for the kids at 5 p.m., and the sounds of the Greater Miami Symphonic Band, an 80-member volunteer band, and the Miami-Dade College North Campus Chamber Singers, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to say "Hi" to Coral Gables employee Jimmy Jay who mysteriously transforms from City plumber into Uncle Sam on this special occasion to meet and greet the public. At 9 p.m., all eyes turn skyward for spectacular fireworks that have made the "Gables Fourth" a signature event of the City Beautiful. Free parking will be available at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Dr., with free shuttle service to the Biltmore. Arrive early for the best spots on the lawn, and leave behind any glass containers, pets, or fireworks, which are not allowed. Advance registration is required for the morning golf and tennis games. For information on the golf tournament, call 305-460-5364. For information on the tennis tournament, call 305-460-5360. For those who wish to stay at the hotel, the Biltmore is offering "Star Spangled Weekend" vacation packages July 1-4. For more information, call the Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600. Call the Biltmore Hotel at 305-445-1926 or 800-727-1926, or visit www.biltmorehotel.com on the Web.
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Mayor of Cartagena Visits Coral Gables >>> Alberto Barbosa, mayor of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, paid a visit to City officials last week to strengthen the 52-year-old Sister Cities relationship between Coral Gables and Cartagena. Barbosa and his delegation met with Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick and Commissioner Ralph Cabrera Jr. at the Biltmore Hotel for lunch. Mayor Slesnick visited Cartagena in 2004 and both cities have renewed their commitment to a more active cultural and business exchange between them. Cartagena became the first Sister City to Coral Gables in 1953.
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Got Flooding? Call Us >>> If you are experiencing street flooding in front of your home or business due to the recent downpours, please call the Coral Gables Public Works Department at 305-460-5000. An attendant will answer all calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For weekend and after-hours service, please leave a message including your name, telephone number, and the street address where the flooding is occurring. City employees are working around the clock to service the areas flooded by heavy rains and will be regularly checking this line for messages. In case of emergencies only, please call 305-442-1600. A crew is on call to ensure that homes and businesses receive as little damage as possible from the flooding, and Public Works officials will be planning for future preventive measures. If standing water causes mosquito problems, call Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control at 305-592-1186 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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The Trolleys: One Millionth Rider Coming Soon >>> Before the Coral Gables Trolleys reach their two-year anniversary this Fall, they will be reaching another important milestone: the one millionth rider mark. That's not surprising, considering that the trolleys' popularity has been on a steady climb upward since they were introduced in November, 2003. When they launched in 2003, City officials expected the trolleys to carry 1,000 riders a day by the end of that year. Instead, the trolleys have been carrying an average of 3,000 riders a day, and the City expects that number to jump to 3,500 a day before the end of 2005. The trolleys have had many positive impacts on the downtown Gables area. Among them: fewer cars on the roads, reduced downtown traffic congestion, fewer drivers competing for parking spots, and fewer cars cutting through residential areas. The City recently received a grant from the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization so it can study future route expansions. The University of Miami also will be conducting an efficiency study this Fall. For more information on the Coral Gables Trolleys, call the Public Works Department at 305-460-5000.
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Planning Department Receives Excellence Award >>> The Coral Gables Planning Department has received the 2005 Award for Excellence in Public Design Study from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association. The award recognizes the Department's success at implementing public design goals that came out of the 2002 Charrette. The judges based their decision on the City's successful implementation of the Mixed Use District 3 Regulations (MXD3), which aim to reduce urban sprawl, encourage improved design standards and improvements to public streetscapes. The judges also considered the new Mediterranean Design Style Bonus Regulations, which encourage the creation of new buildings in the Mediterranean style that is the trademark of Coral Gables, along with improvements to public streetscapes. Congratulations to the Planning Department on this, the second award it has received for creating positive change from the recommendations that came out of the Charrette.
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Don't Miss Gallery Night >>> Start July off right this Friday with an evening of culture and sightseeing during Coral Gables Gallery Night, an excellent opportunity to view art exhibits in style. On Gallery Night, held the first Friday of each month, art lovers are toured by minibus throughout the downtown area with stops at the art galleries and Books & Books. Passengers can board and depart at their leisure, and stroll around the City. For more information, call 305-444-4493.
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"Experience Your Backyard" Program Offers Maritime History >>> Diving and snorkeling aficionados in the Gables don't have to travel too far to look at Spanish gold fleets and British warships from the 18th Century - they are as close as your backyard. Pick a clear, sunny day and head down to Biscayne National Park, where you can take part in the "Experience Your Backyard" program. This new offering involves a four-hour boat trip that includes a briefing on the area's rich underwater history and two snorkeling periods on shipwrecks that are part of the park's new Maritime Heritage Trail Project. Among them: the British steamer Lugano, which was loaded with fine silks, wines, rice and other foods when it sank on March 9, 1913 while en route to Havana. It now lies in 25 feet of water and is the largest vessel lost in the Park's waters. For more information on the "Experience Your Backyard" program, call the South Florida National Parks Trust, based in Coral Gables, at 305-665-4769. For more information on the Maritime Heritage Trail Project or Biscayne National Park, call 305-230-7275.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project continues, so stay tuned for regular updates on possible traffic disruptions in every edition of e-News. Please be patient while some roads are closed during construction - the end result will be well worth the wait. About a year from now, Ponce de Leon will have a whole new look: a landscaped, lighted median, dedicated turn lanes to improve traffic flow, and sidewalk improvements including trolley stops and new crosswalks. Sidewalk construction on the intersections along the east side of Ponce has begun, starting at Alcazar Avenue and heading south. During this time, the four traffic lanes on Ponce will be shifted to the west, temporarily blocking parking on that side of the street. The Public Works Department is working closely with area merchants and residents to make sure disruptions are kept to a minimum. If you have any questions or concerns, drop us a note at e-news@coralgables.com. The following measures are being implemented along Ponce due to construction:
> Left turns are allowed only at the Miracle Mile and Alhambra intersections of Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
> Left turns at the remaining intersections continue to be restricted, and police continue to enforce the "No Left Turn" signs.
> The Trolley stops along Ponce at Valencia Avenue, Miracle Mile, Alhambra Avenue and Minorca Avenue have been temporarily suspended.
> The valet service adjacent to Houston's, at the corner of Ponce and Miracle Mile, has been moved to Miracle Mile.
> Alleys perpendicular to Ponce and within the boundaries of the construction will be monitored to make sure vehicles aren't blocking the alleyways.
Here are other projects that may impact traffic:
> A sewer line is being installed on Ponce de Leon Avenue between Merrick Circle and Riviera Drive for a new development at Riviera Drive and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Most of the work is being done at night, but there will be partial lane closures during the day.
> Paving and drainage work is underway at Mendavia Avenue.
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Cultural Events Roundup >>> The following is a list of upcoming events put on by recipients of the Coral Gables Cultural Grant. Event schedules are subject to change, so please call the organizations directly in advance of a show.
> June 2-Aug. 25: Coral Gables Congregational Church Community Arts Program, 2005 Summer Concert Series - seven concerts on Thursday evenings, 8 p.m. at the Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd. For information, call 305-448-7421 or visit www.coralgablescongregational.org on the Web.
> June 9-Aug. 28: The Shakespeare Project, featuring Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, and Macbeth, at the New Theatre, 4120 Laguna St. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For information, call 305-443-5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org on the Web.
> June 25-July 30: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, musical, Actors' Playhouse Theatre for Young Audiences, 280 Miracle Mile. Every Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets $10 for children; $12 for adults. For information, call 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org on the Web.
> July 6-Sept. 4: The Big Bang, musical, at Actors' Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile. Schedule and ticket prices vary. For information, call 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org on the Web.
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