Coral Gables mobility hub targeted for quick start

Since being reappointed as Coral Gables city manager, Peter Iglesias has been working nonstop, pushing forward big-ticket items the city has committed to delivering to residents and visitors.

Mr. Iglesias has been overseeing the renovations of City Hall, working on design and development of a planned mobility hub, finding solutions for public transportation, and building stronger city departments.

“We can start on the mobility hub’s construction right now,” he told Miami Today. “The plans have already been processed. What we need to do is pay the county mobility fee and the county growth fee, and we can start development. We are also looking at a couple of revisions in the park on the top floor, and we’re looking at a revision of the skin.

“The mobility hub has been designed already. As I mentioned, I can start the project once I get those revisions. We believe that we can start construction by the third or fourth quarter of next year. 626 parking [spaces] are set to be built, which will take care of the requirements of Garage 1 and 4, where the mobility will soon be located.”

The city manager said he is working on a new parking plan with new technology and creating a precursor that would play the role of a parking authority once the mobility hub is completed.

“We will be able to look at mobility better, where we would incorporate the public parking into one authority as mobility needs change over time,” he said.

The city has started a new study on transit as well, Mr. Iglesias said: “We’ve started a study on the trolley system to see if we can expand it and make it more efficient and better. A new route connecting to the University of Miami will be added. For right now, this is a pilot program to really see if there’s great demand there.”

The city manager said he plans to tackle next the city’s septic tank issue, and he has initiated conducting a study and finding solutions for the issue.

“We are also working on improving our development services department,” he continued. “We are adding 20 new positions, with funds not coming from the general fund but from the enterprise fund. The department will act more like a concierge service for residents.”

The Coral Gables Centennial celebration continues with its grand finale in December at the Venetian pool, Mr. Iglesias added.
“We are going to have the Miami Symphony Orchestra close the celebrations with a grand performance,” he said. “We also have other important things coming up for next year, so stay tuned.”

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