The waterfront mall is just too big

This is taking the place of Scotty's Landing and Chart House. 

Emails are flying back and forth regarding the Grove Harbour mall project and there is a great letter by Coconut Grove architect and activist Charles Corda, who has made it his mission to stop the project. I have to agree with Charles to some degree as in I don't think the project will be stopped, but I think it should be toned down and it should fit into its surrounds. A chrome and glass structure, almost 100,000 square feet with a 250,000 square foot garage on the waterfront is preposterous.

Once the commissioners voted on this issue, I think it is their duty to let the public debate and decide the issue now. I'm not quite sure why people associated with Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's office are pushing the project in a very strong and nasty way. What's in it for them? Why are they so gung ho on this?

Charles brings up some excellent points like: "Commissioner Sarnoff and his staff member Ron Nelson, have stated on the record that those who oppose this development do so on a basis of misunderstanding and misrepresentation. In particular, one point that Commissioner Sarnoff continually repeats that in his opinion the proposed development conforms the Sasaki Plan."

I find it ironic that the developer of the project has not said a word -- they are lying low. The others are too vocal and never know when to just be quiet, which sort of makes people suspicious. Why not just ignore the issue for now and let the public debate it themselves?

Charles goes on to say, "I challenge Commissioner Sarnoff to show me where in the Sasaki Plan there is any recommendation that more than 100,000 SF of Retail /Restaurant space should be constructed on the Coconut Grove Bayfront let alone on this single parcel of land on the bay.

"In point of fact the Sasaki Plan is quite clear on this point," he goes on.

"Under the "Market Analysis" portion of the Sasaki Plan (Page 27 Paragraph 3) it is clearly stated that "The market analysis suggests potential support for roughly 4,200 -6,700 SF of food service uses on the Coconut Grove Waterfront". The Market Analysis goes on to state" 'Notably this does not necessarily mean net new space'. Referring once again to the Market Analysis portion of the Sasaki Plan ( Page 36, Paragraph3) it is stated "the Market Analysis was framed by the overarching concerns of both community residents and Center Grove businesses that any replacement or additional uses on the waterfront not compete with retailers or restaurateurs in the Center Grove commercial district

"This is not my 'misinformed opinion' as both Commissioner Sarnoff and Mr. Nelson suggest," says Charles. He goes on: "This is a statement of fact."

"The 100,000 SF + Retail/ Restaurant complex as included in this development plan for this single parcel of the Coconut Grove Bayfront far exceeds the maximum of 6,700 SF recommended in the Sasaki Plan. Once again The development of this parcel, as Commissioner Sarnoff is promoting, is in direct contradiction to the written words of the Sasaki Plan."

Charles is correct and that is what caught my attention from the very beginning. I honestly cannot see the Waterfront Working Committee agreeing to a chrome and glass 100,000 square foot mall when they were discussing the project at those ongoing meetings which took place over many years. Someone surely would have said something in all that time.

Charles goes on to say that the parking garage is going to be a monster.
The whole letter is here on Facebook, Charles makes so many great points, it's worth reading. The petition is at the bottom of the letter if you wish to read and sign that. Over 1000 people have already.