My name is Juan Sanchez and I live in North End Gables. I have started this blog because I believe this platform will be helpful in our quest to organize our community.
For the purpose of uniquely identifying our community, unless there are any objections, we will call it the North End Gables.
This forum will be a place to voice our concerns and to make suggestion that would improve the quality of life and property value for our immediate community.
North End Gables Blog is available to anyone wishing to be a part of the ongoing discussion; however, we prefer that only local government officials, property owners and Tenants in our area partake in our discussion.
If you have any questions regarding or suggestions for this forum, please contact Juan Sanchez at 786.302.0351.
On April 21 of this year, I attended a city meeting at which city officials presented several possible solutions to curve the volume and speed of traffic affecting our area (N of 8 ST/W of 37 AV/S of Flagler/E of 42 AV). Many of us at the meeting expressed the growing concern for our safety and that of the children. Parents at meeting explained to City officials how their children were being confined to their homes due to the danger of careless drivers speeding through our neighborhood.
In response to the studies performed by the City and the voiced concerns of the local residents, the City presented their proposals to remedy the traffic conditions in our area. The City’s solutions to excessive traffic would certainly curve the traffic coming thru our area. They proposed to reroute traffic coming in from 37 AV to use Boabadilla as an alternative to get to 42 AV. Essentially, the City plan would force this traffic to turn North on Ponce and prevent this traffic from turning West on Boabadilla. Traffic flow coming from the CG downtown area would also be prevented from turning on Boabadilla. To do this, they proposed a solid median along Ponce de Leon from Oviedo to just before 37 AV and thus force the traffic to exit Coral Gable at Ponce and 37 AV.
If any of the City’s current proposals is implemented, the local residents would be forced to endure the same. Those of us living east of Ponce would only have one way out of our community, 37 Ave. Those living on the west would not be able to travel North on Ponce. I believe this would further segregate us from Coral Gables and may even reduce property values in the area.
There was one idea which was never proposed by the City, but seemed to be preferred by those of us who attended the meeting. This is to close Boabadilla at the City line. The City claims if at all possible, it would take years to get the County to approve this. In the mean time, in order to curve the speed and traffic condition, the residents suggested speed traps and a crosswalk with a light so that residents may cross Ponce with increased safety. Additionally, several speed reducing devices were discussed and generally accepted by the attending residents. We were told by City official that the implementation of these devices would start as early as this summer.
I encourage your remarks. You may also want to share your comments on Twitter (northendgables) or email me at northend@bellsouth.net.
I am hopeful that everyone in this community will get involved in making this area one of Coral Gables most desirable areas.
