For so many of us who have been here most or all of our lives, it's so sad to see what Coconut Grove is being pushed to become. So many new faces just see Coconut Grove as a future money machine, rather than a sleepy little village, which is why so many of us moved here. But it is progress and I personally don't know how to take it. There are times when I write against new development and people have asked me, "Did your condo building float down like a feather in the middle of the night?" So maybe I am part of the problem. Should I say, "That's it, I have mine, you can't have yours?"
When I suggested the Shake Shack in the Glass House at Peacock Park, people called me a traitor for wanting a restaurant there. But I was not advocating for a restaurant, I was just saying if that is what is going in, then that is my choice of restaurant, but I don't care what goes in frankly, because I feel like it is the beginning of the end of the Grove we want to remember.
Yesterday there was a luncheon and talk on Brickell to discuss the Grove's future, yes, on Brickell. Crew Miami, a commercial real estate association in Miami with approximately 150 members who are business and real estate professionals, has the monthly meetings at the Four Seasons, so that's why it was not held in Coconut Grove, it was just part of their monthly routine at that venue. The Grove just happened to be the subject.
Various speakers from Commissioner Marc Sarnoff to David Martin, President and COO of the Terra Group and even a rep from the BID took turns speaking. The Pointe Group was there too, speaking about their Grand Avenue project, which they say should break ground soon.
The promo for the luncheon was: "As Miami’s real estate market heats up, the waterfront community of Coconut Grove is seeing its own renaissance. From the mixed-use project Grove Village on Grand that will add retail, residences and office, to the luxury residential towers Grove at Grand Bay that recently broke ground, new developments are shaping the future of the neighborhood. Join us as an expert panel discusses how the private and public sectors are investing in the future of Coconut Grove."
David Martin is making the rounds marketing his new Grove at Grand Bay and also the Coconut Grove Bank site. He'll be speaking at the Chamber's luncheon tomorrow. Others spoke about the Glass House and the future of our waterfront and basically all things Grove. They are trying to incorporate old and new; history with gleaming new condos.
I almost see a couple of large entities taking over the Grove, it's like Coconut Grove, brought to you by so and so. Sort of like naming a sports stadium for the highest bidder. But we do need new blood, don't we? No one from the "old Grove" has come up with any suggestions, so guys with money have come in. It was inevitable. I just hate to see our small little village change from being a small little village.
I find it interesting that the Mercy Project was said to be a traffic nightmare in the making, but no one has brought up this fact about the extra condos and the new "Bayside" on the waterfront.
David Martin, from Terra, mentioned the Playhouse and stated that he likes how it is and it just needs to be renovated. But every time a developer mentions the Playhouse, I cringe. Pointe Group mentioned the Florentine Plaza, you know, where the Knife Restaurant was. They talk of plans for a little village there. A village within a village?
The idea of the trolley coming through the Grove came up at the luncheon but was ignored. All the realtors present loved the idea and I do see it happening, who knows when, but it will happen. We are the only neighborhood without a trolley and oddly enough, what's old is new again and all the up and coming developments are pushing trolley service as a selling point all over the country.
Sarnoff brought up the Expo Center site, David Martin calls it "Regatta Park." Sarnoff compared it's future as a park to The Highline in New York, saying that was a big draw in New York now. Which it is. We do have that long line of parks along the waterfront here in Coconut Grove, and hopefully that will remain and not become commercial.
More to come. Keep your eyes out for lots of cranes in our future, and I don't mean the bird type.
As for the Chamber Luncheon, it's at the Sonesta (2889 McFarlane Road), Friday, June 21 from noon to 2 pm. Admission is $30 for Chamber members and $35 for guests. RSVP to 305-444-7270. David Martin of Terra is the featured speaker. State Rep. Javier Rodriguez and Senator Gwen Margolis will be presenting Monty Trainer and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival with a proclamation for their 50 year anniversary.
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