Miracle Mile Streetscape Construction Begins

MIAMI - April 22, 2016 - PRLog -- The long-awaited Streetscape Project - a renovation and beautification of Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue began last week with tree pruning and preparations for the replacement of water lines. The $21.6 million construction project will transform the heart of Downtown Coral Gables with wider sidewalks to allow for additional pedestrian flow and greater use of outdoor dining and seating, a change from angled to parallel parking, resurfaced streets and improved drainage. The project will take approximately 18 months to complete and will be done a block at a time in half-block increments.

Those interested in general information and construction schedules can find more information at www.gablesstreetscape.com.  Additionally, throughout the project, members of the public can avail themselves of the construction hotline at 786-444-6383, where they can provide input and request information.

The project, spearheaded by the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables (BID), has been the organization's priority for more than a decade.   Thanks to the Coral Gables City Commission, this project is now a reality.  A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony will take place Thursday, April 28, at 10:30 a.m. at 150 Miracle Mile. Guest should RSVP at 786-437-6689.

"It has been a long journey from the project's first-ever meeting to this momentous first step," said Mindy McIlroy, president of the BID's Board of Directors. "We are proud of the partnership and the vision shared by both the City of Coral Gables and the BID to see the project through and take the steps necessary to make Miracle Mile, Giralda and the Central Business District attractive and competitive far into the future."

Construction on Miracle Mile and Giralda will be done in eight phases from June 2016 to June 2017. Preparations, beginning with last week's root pruning, oaks relocation and water line replacement, will be completed on time for the actual construction phase on Miracle Mile and Giralda. Underground utilities and roadway construction are set to begin next month and sidewalk repairs are scheduled for June.

"Patrons will be able to envision what Miracle Mile will look like when the renovations on Giralda are completed this September," said Marina Foglia, executive director of the BID. "The staging of all construction was developed with one focus in mind, that is to be sensitive to our merchants' needs. Our priority is to keep business as usual while creating South Florida's next premier shopping and dining destination."

A merchants' information meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, April 26, at the Actors' Playhouse in the Miracle Theatre (280 Miracle Mile). The City of Coral Gables and the Business Improvement District will be at hand to present details regarding the construction of Streetscape and answer questions from merchants. The project's construction manager and public information officer will also be present and available to speak to attendees.

"Miracle Mile and Giralda represent South Florida's entrepreneurial spirit that aims to empower small businesses to succeed," added Foglia. "Mom and pop shops are the livelihood of Downtown Coral Gables and Streetscape will revolutionize the 'shop local' scene in our region. We have seen small businesses thrive for decades here and recreating our shopping district will prove to benefit Coral Gables as a whole."

As construction commences, the BID will introduce a marketing campaign designed to assist patrons throughout their visit to Downtown Coral Gables.

"All of our businesses will remain open throughout construction," said McIlroy. "We encourage patrons with questions to call our hotline at any time of the day. It is imperative that we hear out what our customers think as they visit our merchants in the upcoming months."

In conjunction with the launch of the Streetscape Project, the BID has been working to promote Miracle Mile's centralized valet parking system, which allows you to drop your vehicles and pick up the vehicle at any one of five valet stations along Miracle Mile. The cost of these services was reduced to $5.00 per day.

About the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables: 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.

Downtown Coral Gables' Miracle Mile 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 some of Miami's finest boutiques, acclaimed restaurants and lively cultural venues.  Downtown Coral Gables, with its Miracle Mile, is an elegant and sophisticated destination to live, shop, play and work. It is Miami's charming gem that locals like to keep secret and visitors fall in love with when they find it.

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