Film lovers will soon have another venue to check out the latest cultural showings: the bottom floor of Garage 2 on Aragon Avenue will be converted into an art cinema. The City Commission approved the project at the last meeting, giving the go ahead to begin the construction of a multipurpose auditorium that will seat 144 patrons in a venue for film screenings, film festivals, lectures, book readings and other cultural events. The City of Coral Gables has a $250,000 line item in the Capital Improvement Budget for the build out and is counting on an additional $250,000 donation pledged from the Harry and Mary Perrin Fund subject to the renaming of the building’s front entrance as the Perrin Plaza. A lease agreement is in the works with non-profit Coral Gables Cinemateque, the operator set to run the facility, which is planning on offering daily film shows of independent and Hollywood motion pictures.

Are you planning a special event in Coral Gables like a wedding that requires the transportation of your guests to and from the hotel and want to do it in style? The City of Coral Gables is now making its Trolleys available for rental for special events, corporate events or family gatherings. The Trolleys feature the look of yesteryear with wooden benches and paneled interior, etched windows, and a friendly driver. The vehicles can be rented on weekends or weekdays outside of normal operating hours for $175 per hour with a minimum of four hours. All rentals are done on a first-come, first-served basis and require a deposit and contract within 14 days of bookings. Also, all trips must remain within 30 miles of the City of Coral Gables, unless prior agreements have been made. For more information, call 305-460-5070 or send an email to trolley@coralgables.com.

The City of Coral Gables is automating some of its services which previously required permit applicants and contractors to physically make a trip to City offices. A new system now enables applicants to check on the status of permits and inspections online. The new Online Services give the user the flexibility to view updated information on commercial and residential properties 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Permit and inspection information for Building and Zoning, Fire, Public Works, Public Service and Historical Resources Departments are accessible through this new system. Detailed information and comments from inspectors and plan reviewers will also be available. The new system will soon also allow for payment of fees and fines, submittal of application for certain types of permits and licenses all online. To check on the status of your project, click here.

Have a great idea on how you can be a little more green in every day life? The City of Coral Gables has begun a Green Forum, a place where the Gables community can exchange ideas and discuss ways for residents and businesses to go green. Check the current postings by clicking here. There are more ways and perspectives on how to improve the environment, and feedback is welcome. To have your comments or suggestions for a greener Gables posted or to share what environmentally friendly measures you’ve taken, send an email to e-news@coralgables.com.

Beginning this summer, residents can expect the construction of a roundabout at Coral Way and Segovia Street, a fourth-month project that will help alleviate the traffic in this busy intersection of Coral Gables. This construction is the result of a Joint Participation Agreement with Miami-Dade County which provides disbursement of Road Impact Fee funds to the City. The work involves the construction of concrete pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter, drainage structures, sodding, roadway restoration and installation of street lighting at the proposed roundabout. The work to be performed in the area will be scheduled as to not disrupt traffic flow during heavy traveled hours.

In past years, the City of Coral Gables has provided immediate debris clean up services after the impact of hurricanes. A resolution was recently passed allowing the City Administration to secure contracts with Ashbritt Environmental, Ceres Environmental, and JB Coxwell Disaster Recovery Services, vendors that are lined up to begin the post-storms cleanup services. One significant change in these contracts is that none of these vendors will be allowed to set up mulch sites within the City, as have been done in previous years to expedite the debris collection process. City leaders reassessed this practice after receiving complaints of excessive noise and inconvenience to those neighborhoods near mulch sites. All vendors will have to travel longer distances to transport the debris outside City limits which means that the clean up process will be a longer experience.

The City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce are looking for the best commercial building design in the City Beautiful. Applications are now available for the 2008 City Beautiful Awards honoring a commercial building in Coral Gables with the best interior and exterior design, the most exquisite retail showroom or restaurant dining room, and that sets an example for historic preservation. Deadline for submissions is July 15 and the award will be presented on August 21, 2008.

If you have a complaint regarding illegal dumping on City’s streets or waterways, call the Department of Environmental Resources Manager (DERM) at 305-372-6955. DERM responds to environmental emergencies 24 hours day, seven days a week. It is important to report liquid waste discharges or spills into drains, waterways or onto the open ground. You can also report tanker trucks dumping waste or any spills of dangerous chemicals into manholes, drainage, waterways or on the ground. Be an active citizen and protect the environment by reporting spills of pesticides, sewage overflows from any source, smoke or dust emissions from any facility, any severe odor or vapor that affects the eyes and breathing, and any turbid water in any waterway, canal or Biscayne Bay. Environmental crimes may be reported to the Miami-Dade Police Department Environmental Crimes Unit at 305-477-1616.

EVENTS ROUNDUP
For the definitive guide
to upcoming events in the
City of Coral Gables,
click here

TRAFFIC
Construction will begin this week on traffic circles for the intersections of South Alhambra Circle and Trionfo and Pallazzo Streets. The traffic calming measures will affect traffic in the area. Expect delays and minimal detours from now until August 15th.

CITY OF
CORAL GABLES

MISSION
Dedicated people providing exceptional services to residents, businesses and visitors while preserving our heritage.

VALUES
Accessibility
Accountability
Competency
Dedication
Innovation
Integrity
Loyalty
Responsiveness

Visit the
City of Coral Gables
web site:
www.coralgables.com
 

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