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.
Hi neighbors. Well done Juan, this is a great start for the 'North End Gables'. Some of you will have received an e-mail from me to please get in touch with Juan. If you have a trouble spot take a photo and send it to North End Blog with a comment. This way we can track the City on its correction. Being retired I have plenty of time to follow on things.
ReplyDeletePeter Boucher 40 Veragua Avenue.
As an encouragement to getting involved and in neighborly spirit I am offered FREE BOATING COURSE guidance. This is available to any North End resident interested in boating. Individual adults, families, and children who can read and write study in their own time at their own speed under my guidance. I am an United Nations International Maritime Organization Instructor in Nautical Science and Maritime Law and have trained multi-national crews for 35 years. The COURSE is USCG, NASBLA and State of Florida approved. You will receive a State of Florida License on payment of a small fee to the State only. Your Boat Insurance will also be discounted when holding this State License.
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
In 'NEIGHBORS' Sunday there is an article by Elaine De Valle. Elaine covers the 'Gables' as readers well know. It appears that the $9 million shortfall of the City budget deficit may well have been known prior to the election. No surprise there, it is typical political behaviour. It shows just how important it is too be organized and so fellow 'NorthEnders' please join up and help keep what we have and raise the standards. Pass the word about this Blog and comment so we know your needs. Thank you and
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
It is important that we continue to communicate in this format as there are many of us in this community. Whatever changes that will happen to this part of the gables we will be affected by them in a much larger way than other areas of the gables. The City has proposed some ideas to limit the traffic flow that impacts our neighborhood. We need to think about the situation and come up with ideas that most of us can live with and make our plans known on this blog so we can think about them and discuss them on this format.
ReplyDeleteI propose the idea of limiting the access to this part of the gables as a good one. The closing of the median on Ponce de Leon is strategically a sound one. We need to decide which and where the closing will be most effective to limit the non-resident traffic flow and still keep our access to and from our homes. The access to Veragua Avenue in my opinion should be closed on Ponce because we are the closest street from 37th Ave, and 8th street to bypass through to Lejune. This would control much of our problems of speeders and general un residential traffic.
Closing Ponce at at any point will affect the way we in the North End Gables go to and from our homes. I for one refuse to give up access to Ponce. Ponce is our only link to our City.
ReplyDeleteClosing Ponce at Veragua alone would not stop the traffic. According to the studies purformed by the City, those drivers using our area are trying to avoid 8 St to get to 42 AVE via Boabadilla. Closing Veragua at Ponce does nothing to keep drivers from making a right at Ponce and then a left on Boabadilla.
The Only way to stop this flow of traffic is to cut it at its source, Boabadilla. By closing Boabadilla you stop the morniong traffic going East to work and West in the afternoon.
Additionally, the City should move forward with the speed reducing devices and set up regular speed traps. This will surely send a message to those careless drivers that they don't have and open pass to break the laws in our community.
And last but not least, I agree; we must continue to communicate with eash other and let the City know that our community needs the support we deserve. I must say that since the meeting and the begining of this movement a few changes have occured. Maintenance or our medias and streets has inproved and speed detecting devices have been showing up on a few streets. I comment the City for this quick responce, but worn that this is not enough.
Clearly we have a very long way to go in getting organized. Today the radar speedometer was removed from Veragua Avenue by CGPD. From the start it was rather a waste of time as the West-East traffic is minimal. However the afternoon East-West is heavy and fast, this was not monitored at all. It would seem that the Group we met at the April meeting does not actually have a clear picture at all of the overall traffic pattern. The May meeting seems likely to be largely a complete waste of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Peter; I agree, the City not only dedicate minimal resources to the North End, but then misuses them.
ReplyDeleteI am posting the following email, sent to me by Commissioner Cabrera, in its entirety.
ReplyDeleteCommissioner Cabrera said, "During today’s City Commission meeting, Commissioner Anderson and I provided the rest of our colleagues with a quick re-cap of last week’s meeting. I am writing you today because Ms. Anderson and I would like to co-host a town hall meeting with you and your neighbors. This would consist of an interactive session to review a number of subjects beyond traffic calming. For this meeting, we would bring senior members of staff (Police, Fire, Public Works, Public Service, Parks, etc.) to assist in responding to concerns, inquiries and any ongoing feedback with issues affecting your area. I believe the best venue for this meeting is the Coral Gables Youth Center. Let me know your thoughts on this before we go any further."
At this time, my opinion is that we should wait until the area (North End Gables) becomes a bit more organized and informed with the issues. In the following days, I will try to distribute a flyer which explains some of those issues and the address to this blog and the discussion on twitter so that we can exchange views on what would make our community a better place to live for all of us.
This is a great way to get organized. I want to thank Mr. Sanchez for taking the time to set up the blog and the flyers.
ReplyDeleteMy wife's family has lived in the area for about 40 years after speaking with them they feel closing the cibao ct. and boabadilla st. median would be the best solution for much of the cut through traffic in our neighborhood.
This would only affect those traveling south on Ponce not allowing the left turn into boabadilla. The closing of all the medians as suggested at the meeting would be a hinderance to every one east of Ponce.
If we want to reduce the cut through traffic this seems to be the easiest and most practical.
I am a State Certified General Contractor so if any one is need of a general contractor feel free to contact me at www.otccompany.com
I would first like to thank Mr. Sanchez for trying to organize the community. I have lived in the north gables for the past three years and agree that something has to be done to calm the flow of traffic through the neighborhood. My wish would be the closing of 37th ave completely except for where it joins Ponce and the closing of Boabadilla at the city line. This would certainly discourage anyone from wanting to cut through the neighborhood at all. Any way I can be involved please let em know.
ReplyDeleteRodolfo Lopez 29 Fonseca Ave.
Juan, thank you very much for your efforts in setting up the blog.
ReplyDeleteAs a Veragua resident, I, too, am opposed to any measure that would cut off access to/from Ponce in either direction.
I would like to throw out an idea and get someone else's opinion.
With regard to the Douglas end of Veragua, I would support a partial blockage so that traffic would only be allowed to exit Veragua and turn right heading south on Douglas. No other turns in or out would be permitted, or possible.
This would be accomplished with the installation of a curb or small landscaped patch blocking the northern half of the street at the intersection with Douglas. The south half of the street would serve as the one-way exit from Veragua onto Douglas southbound.
Veragua residents would have full access to/from Ponce. To go north on Douglas, Veragua residents would have to take Ponce to the traffic light at the north end of Ponce, which I imagine many do already since the turn is much safer than turning left onto Douglas directly from Veragua.
The only inconvenience would be for Veragua residents returning home on Douglas coming from the south. We would have to cut over and take either Galiano or Ponce into the neighborhood instead of turning onto Veragua directly from Douglas. Personally, I am willing to put up with this inconvenience, but I would like to get additional opinions.
Of the other proposals so far, I fully support all of the following:
(a) Rumble strips on Veragua
(b) The slight narrowing of Veragua discussed at the meeting last month
(c) Reducing the speed to 25 mph on Ponce
(d) Posted signs restricting turns to/from Ponce at Boabadilla or elsewhere as needed
(e) Installation of a pedestrian crosswalk with a traffic light on Ponce
Ideally, the street at the city line at Boabadilla would be closed. As discussed, this would take a large scale effort and much patience, possibly without success, but perhaps we should discuss a way to get started anyway in spreading awareness and spurring action. A direct mail campaign, and ultimately a petition, would be easy to put together, it's just a matter of the cost and follow up effort. When I get a chance, I will look and see how many homes are in the "area of impact" that was described during the meeting last month. I know that our subdivision is around 200 homes. I have not looked at the number just west of us yet, though.
Let's keep the discussion going.
Thanks again Juan.
Mark
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFyi, based on public tax records, it looks like there are approximately 469 single family homes, 120 residential condo units, and 27 multifamily properties within the "area of impact" bounded by LeJeune, Flagler, Douglas, and SW 8th Street. These are residential properties only, no commercial.
ReplyDeleteThe city officials in last month's meeting noted the requirement for a petition as part of the street closure process, so these are the numbers that we would be facing, assuming that we could work without the need for cooperation from commercial property owners.
I have also contacted, by email, Jeff Cohen with the Miami Dade Public Works Department requesting information about the process for petitioning for a street closure. I will let everyone know if I receive any useful information from him.
Mark
Very good Mark… Based on these numbers, we would need 468 votes in favor of the street closing. This would be the 75% of local residents needed to present our request to the county. What I am not sure about is who may compose the 75%. Must they be property owners or can we use renters as well.
ReplyDeleteMark I don't have you email. Would you please shoot me an email with your contact information.
Juan Sanchez
Frankly I am totally confused, I was at the meeting and I remain so now. I do not understand how Boabadilla, which runs North/South parallel to Ponce effects anyone East of Ponce in any way. Also where is this 'city line' that is going to be closed?
ReplyDeleteMark thank you for your efforts but street closings are not going to be passed by the County government, also they are expensive. When Oviedo applied years ago they were going to charge homeowners $36,000.00 each. After six months of a crude temporary barrier there was no agreement reached and the project was rejected.
Good Watch
Boabadilla runs n-s and also e-w. The idea being discussed is to close the e-w so that those using the e-w section to avoid SW 8 ST and get to 42 AVE.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, focusing on a street closing alone defeats the purpose of uniting our community. Although, reducing the amount and speed of traffic in our area is a priority, closing Boabadilla is not the sole remedy. I agree that closing Boabadilla is a our best option, however, speed traps, speed bumps and other proven method, some of which have been discussed at City meetings are viable alternatives for the time being.
I agree with Peter that street closings are not
ReplyDeletea viable option anymore. In all fairness to people living in Boabadilla closing the east west portion would be a big inconvenience as their access to their homes would be severly limited.
I am in disagreement that what the city proposed in closing the median would limit our access to Coral Gables. There are many streets available to us,and many options we can consider for access to downtown Coral Gables area. The only street that this community has in common is Ponce de Leon. As a unifying gesture we should consentrate on that street as the main focus of this community.
I dissagree with the city's proposal that we should close the entire median on Ponce but I and and others believe that a partial closing of Ponce at strategic locations will have a "calming" effect on the traffic. Since some of Ponce is commecial around 8th street, I propose the median should be closed at Ovieto and Veragua Streets, thus lowering the non-recidential traffic through our neghborhood streets.
The other median to be considered is Boabadilla.
This median closing will in fact stop the speeders and short cut takers through our neighborhood and would greatly reduce the traffic at rush hour periods. For access to travelling south on Ponce the rest of the median openings on Ponce should remain open. Juan's idea of speed bumps specially if they are placed close to 37th Avenue on the bordering streets will also be a great help. Dear neighboors if we are going to implement changes lets make them meaningfull and effective, speed traps catch speeders at a particular time of day only not effective on a 24hour period. Anyway this is only my ideas for our neighborhood I of course open and would like to hear others opinion to this problem. The main thing we should consentrate on is to iron out our differences of what we desire before the meeting with the city.
Regards,
Al Carro
Based on the comments so far, it looks like we should really focus on the options with the highest probability of being implemented in the near term and without the need to involve the City of Miami or Miami-Dade County, which excludes any attempt at street closures for now.
ReplyDeleteI propose that we produce a bullet point list of all of the options currently on the table so that everyone is on the same page. (See below for first draft of the list.)
We should then attempt to find out which of the options have general support from residents and which ones do not. The list can then be included on the notice to residents regarding the next public meeting and serve as discussion points for the meeting.
I believe Juan and Peter have the appropriate contacts with the city, so they could forward the list of options to those contacts once the list is ready.
In order to gauge support for each option, once the list is complete, I will volunteer to produce and mail a letter to the 200 single family home owners in our subdivision. The letter will include the list of options and request that recipients either email or write me with an indication of their support or opposition to each option.
I would not expect a significant number of responses from residents, but if enough respond, it may at least give us a rough idea of the level of support for each option. The responses could be presented to city officials, if deemed productive.
To be fair, I will include in the letter to residents both those options that I oppose as well as those that I support. (I personally oppose closing the Ponce median at Veragua.)
Below is the list of options of which I am aware. Please review the list and let me know if anything is missing.
(a) Rumble strips, speed plateaus, or speed bumps on all east-west streets between Ponce and Douglas
(b) Slight narrowing of the roadway using protruding curbs or landscaping at multiple points on east-west streets between Ponce and Douglas
(c) Reducing the speed to 25 mph on Ponce
(d) Posted signs restricting turns to/from Ponce at Boabadilla at all times or during peak traffic hours
(e) Installation of a pedestrian crosswalk with a traffic light on Ponce
(f) Closing the Ponce median at strategic points
I am under the impression that all of the options above can be accomplished working solely through the City of Coral Gables. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.
Finally, has anyone heard the proposed date for the next public meeting?
Ideally, the meeting would be a few weeks away so that we have time to get the list of options mailed out to residents and increase awareness of the meeting as well.
Mark
According to the County Boabadilla does NOT run E/W. This is County grid SW 5th. Street so I get the sense that there are claims by both County and CG for the first portion from Ponce. Certainly no closing is going to be agreed there. Walked down there agin and finally grasp it. Hey senior moments, at 73, have to be allowed for!
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
I agree with Mark; maybe we should back off on closing Boabadilla for now.
ReplyDeleteEven though, I still believe closing Boabadilla may be our best solution to curving the amount of traffic it would take way too long to get it done. Doing so, would not slow traffic down in other parts of our area and does nothing for those wishing to safely walk across Ponce.
Reducing the amount traffic and speed in our area will be a long process. It will provably take years and may never be completely resolved. As a community we need to be practical and use common sense, when prioritizing the issues we focus our energies on. Above all, we must be patient and committed.
I also agree with Mark on the other items on the City's list which he has provided above.
I don't, however, believe that closing parts of the Ponce de Leon median would resolve anything; it would only force drivers, using our area as a quick fix to avoid the traffic on SW 8 ST, to make U-Turns at the remaining openings to get to Boabadilla, even if they are not permitted.
Finally, Mark's suggestion to mail a request to 200 households in the area is a good one; however, this may be costly. I suggest we get a few neighbors to volunteer to go door to door and speak with as many neighbors as possible. At this time these individual can agree or reject items from the list and validate the form by signing. A committee would then tally the forms and submit the results to the City.
You can count me in; walking is a good thing for my health and in this case for our community.
Juan Sanchez
Our neighborhood park CIBAO PARK, known to the City as Rotary International Park, is one half closed off for two weeks. There is orange construction fence all around it. Does anyone know why? Was any letter sent to residents informing us? I certainly have not received one. Once again the City is neither consulting or informing us of area happenings.
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
I believe the park is finally being closed in order to install the playground we agreed upon almost a year ago.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the traffice situation, I believe I am the only resident from Boabadilla to comment. Closing Ponce would certainly make it impossible to get in or out of our street. I think our concerns have not been raised nor discussed. Traffic is no our greatest issue, as the E-W part of Boabadilla is the one with the most traffic and there are only a few homes on this portion of the street. For the N-S running part of the street, our biggest concern is speeding. Maroone Chevrolet often brings Corvette's to test drive on our street since it is quite long and uninterrupted. Also, neighborhoood car owers who want to test the speed of their car enjoy this long stretch of isolated street. Because no one can turn into Boabadilla from 8th stret, it is very appealing to speeders, and even the occasionl duo of drag racers. There have never been speed traps placed on our steet. No one has ever acnowledged our concerns with speeding traffic, and when we have contacted the police department about it, we have been told that if they don't witness it, they can do nothing. Yet they do not come out to verify our calls. Something needs to be done to slow down the traffic coming through all parts of Boabadilla. Even the 4-way stop at the city line is a joke to most rush hour drivers. If there was regular monitoring of these areas by police, drivers might begin to take a differnt route. Also, some device to slow drivers down at all points would discourage drivers from using this "short-cut" because it would begin to take longer than an alternate route. Creating a continuos median on Ponce would only make the esidents angry and frustrates and leave this area of the gables abandoned and neglected. Why should residents feel a sense of pride for an area that the City Beautiful is ignoring.
Christina is right; speeding is one of our major problems. If traffic was slowed down by speed calming devices, the volume wouldn’t be so bad.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the City, some calming devices will be installed beginning this summer. I guess we will have to wait and see. In the mean time, I agree, police presence and speed traps wouldn’t hurt.
Just voted! Great idea and great new layout. Anyone who would like to take advantage of the Boating Training Guidance please contact me at: boucp@hotmail.com Its free ! Important these days!!
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
I am not the only resident owner that lives on Veragua Ave to want the median on Ponce to be closed at Veragua and Ovieto streets. I know many want this, why was this not represented for a vote on this "survey." I voted for speed bumps to be placed at the perimeter of our neighborhood, but this is just a start.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been nice and democratic to have also the partial median closing at Ponce to have been added this to the survey. After all median closing at Ponce was DISCUSSED by the city at the last meeting and we really should get a feel of what this community wants regardless of what our personal views on the subject. I am against a full closure of the median at Ponce as this in fact would disrupt the residential traffic to our homes. A partial median closing at Veragua Street and Ponce would eliminate much of the traffic that should take 8th street advance east and west.
By the way. U turns are legal in the state of Florida, so the statement about them that they are dangerous, is missing the point totally. Dangeours U turns are a fact, so is drunk driving, and speeding. Lets get real with our survey and make them representative of what the people want in this area, not just a few.
Sincerely
Al Carro
Allow me to explain the purpose of the pole which was added to the blog. The selections for this pole reflect the remedies proposed by the City at the last meeting. By no means is this an attempt to misdirect anyone’s opinion. If my memory doesn’t fail me, closing the Ponce median at Oviedo/Veragua was never proposed at the meeting by anyone.
ReplyDeleteBefore one can form an opinion about what are the best and most practical remedies for the traffic conditions in our community, one must understand the dynamics of the traffic flow. The studies realized by the City show that traffic flows from 37 Avenue thru streets running E to W (Oviedo, Veragua, Montilla, etc.) and works its way to the E/W section of Boabadilla and continues to 42 AV. in the afternoon and the reverse in the morning. Closing the median at Ponce/Oviedo/Veragua would do nothing to prevent this. This is probably why this was never considered to be a viable solution to the problem.
All members of this community are entitled to express their views and opinions on what affects the quality of life in our area.
Everyone’s involvement is greatly encouraged. Unfortunately, this is very slow in happening. Many ideas to unite our community have been expressed, but very few have been implemented.
Some in the community have volunteered to help implement more of these ideas. Hopefully we can achieve this before the next meeting.
Juan Sanchez
I am in total dissagrement with you regarding the traffic flow as a matter of fact closing the media at Veragua and Ovieto would do quite abit in
ReplyDeletepreventing the heavy traffic flow occuring from Veragua and Oviedo. You think wrongly or have gotten missleading information that all the traffic that is using our streets continues to 42 av.
This is infact wrong assumption,I have lived on Veragua for 21 years at the same address and I know that approx. 30 to 40% of the traffic turns on Ponce at Veragua or Oviedo and goes toward Downtown Gables area or turns on 8th St. going west and the reverse is also true, and this is not including the traffic jam that occurs on Ponce everyday near 8th Street for the medical building on the coner. I also want to clarify that at the last meeting (as was told to me by more than one person) closing the entire media at Ponce WAS DISCUSSED that included Veragua and Ovieto so as before lets get our facts right when we discuss them on a public forum and specially when we ask for surveys information for the purpose of information gathering.
I think there is a solution but we need to be clear and think the best approach to us.
Boabadilla's problems are totally different from ours. We are being invaded by traffic and speeders. They have an access problem and possible isolation if street closings occur as was part of the survey.
We are 7 Streets that border Ponce they are 1 street, obviously we are impacted at a greater level with speeders,drunk drivers,people on cell phones not paying attention, drivers using our driveways for their u turns, and of course the petti crime we have seen escalate because of all of this...Lets make meaningfull changes that is all I am asking of my neighboors. Miami in the comming years will get much more congested and so will our little streets, lets control it now while we have the city's attention.
Thanks
Al Carro
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ReplyDeleteI live on Marabella Av. which happens to be the widest and busiest street in the North End, next to Boadadilla. I also, have a 18 month old child. The current traffic flow has me deeply concerned for my child's safety. A few years back there was a city planing meeting in which I attended. Part of the meeting was on how to curb the traffic flow to the North End streets, I stepped up and spoke about closing all of 37th ave access. There response was that Police and Fire-Rescue would be delayed due to the closures. Now, that they want to close the median on ponce, From a public safety stand point. Closing off ponce access would be a timely delay in city emergency services, consider that all of the emergency units would most likely be responding for there respective stations. All incoming units would be using ponce as there road of choice. Which in turn, would create a possible life and death delay in there response time. God forbid they choose the wrong side of ponce to respond from. As a Lieutenant with City of Miami Fire-Rescue, I and can give input into any possible public safety concerns in the future. I too, would like to thank you Mr.Sanchez for your time and effort into the matter. Nick Wohl
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input and advice on what should be an important concern for all of us in this area, public safety.
I agree, closing the streets connecting to 37 Ave (except for Ponce a 37 AV) would have been a possible solution, however, may have had some negative consequences.
At the last meeting, when most people supported closing Boabadilla, the City officials explained that any street closure would have to be approved by Dade County. Furthermore, they explained that the County has placed a moratorium on all street closures.
Some alternatives to reduce the speed of traffic through our area were discussed and are planned to be implemented very soon. The remedies include speed bump. Other remedies discussed were a crosswalk with traffic light and reducing the speed limit on Ponce to 25 miles per hour. Although, I am aware that this not a cure all, I beleive it will help.
Mark, a resident of our area will be putting together a list of remedies which have been discussed by local residents and the City. These remedies are practical and easily implemented which should help improve the local traffic conditions. In order to pole everyone in the area, the list will be mailed to local residents so that they can vote on these items.
Juan Sanchez
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAn apology is in order.
ReplyDeleteIt was just brought to my attention, by Commissioner Cabrera that speed bumps are not legal devices, but speed tables are. When I used the term speed bump, I was really referring to speed tables. Speed tables are the wider version of speed bumps, which are being used in other parts of the Gables.
Again I apologies and will use the proper term (speed table) from this point on. Do note that the term used for the poll was ‘speed bumps’ when it should have been ‘speed tables.’
At this point, the system will not allow me to make any corrections to the existing poll because votes have been cast. Please note that the item ‘speed bumps,’ is supposed to be ‘speed tables.’
If anyone has any objections, please note it in the blog. The correct term, however, will be used when the hard copy of the new poll is distributed.
Thank you,
Juan Sanchez
If anyone, in our community, has a link they would like to share with the rest of the community, please send it to me at northend@bellsouth.net. I will add it to the 'links' area on our blog.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Humberto and I live on Carmona Avenue with my wife and two kids (ages 3 and 5). This is my first contribution to the blog and I hope it is helpful. I have read all of the proposed ideas and I respect and applaud everyone's contribution. I am aware that everyone has his or her own experience with this issue and thus I respect all points of view.
ReplyDeleteIn general I feel that blocking any street or median will only make matters worse for us the residents of the North Gables. I do not like the idea of limiting my options for leaving and arriving into my neighborhood. In general I agree that we have a problem with speeding throughout the day and congestion during the morning and evening rush hours. I have a problem with the speeding, but I can accept the congestion for two simple a reasons. It does not last for the entire day and as I am aware of it, I have learned to maneuver around it. I feel that by closing any street we are limiting our options to exit or enter our community. By closing off any streets we will also increase traffic to other streets (Ponce). The more you limit the flow of traffic the longer the traffic will be around. Unfortunately, we live in the heart of the city and traffic will exist no matter what we do.
My suggestion would be to focus our efforts to reduce the speeding in order to make our community safer, improve pedestrian access across Ponce for our residents and focus on the beatification of our neighborhood. I would prefer that the city spend our money on planting trees and improving our streets by adding landscaped areas than spending our money on "speed bumps or speed tables ". I feel that if our neighborhood looked like the rest of the Gables neighborhoods (beautiful tree lined streets, entrances and parks) our speeding problem would be solved. To improve access across Ponce (to have better access to our park) I would propose a four way stop with cross walks (street light seems too complicated). This would also split the distance between Eighth Street and 37th Avenue and thus reduce the traffic speed. As far as east-west traffic, I would say that by planting trees along the street we would also resolve the speed issue. I hope my suggestions are helpful and make some sense and I welcome any remarks on my comments.
I can honestly say that I am looking forward to meeting all of you at the park when it is complete (with playground and benches). I would also like to thank Juan for establishing the blog. Finally, if anyone knows the date the next meeting please post it on the blog.
Best regards,
Humberto
Umberto, I want to thank you for your comments and suggestions. I believe many in our community share your concerns and agree that speeding drivers using our community as a means to avoid traffic on 8 ST affect the safety of our residents. Many would agree that street closures may not the best solution. And, many agree that speed calming devices, although not a cure all would help reduce the speed of drivers using our community to go to and from work.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the City has already approved and will begin to implement speed tables at several streets throughout the community. Other devices are being considered and will likely be the subject of future meetings.
I agree; planting trees and landscaping the median on Ponce would help beautify our community. This is something we should visit next.
For now, we should remain focused on the issue of traffic through our area. To further inform our City of our concerns, Mark will mail, to everyone in our community, a comprehensive questionnaire composed from comment and suggestion made by concerned neighbor like you.
I encourage everyone to complete these forms and return them so that they can be tallied. The results will be presented to the City at the next meeting.
Juan Sanchez
Dear neighbors,
ReplyDeleteI want to personally thank Mark for his contribution towards a better community for all.
He has completed the mailer and will be mailing it to everyone in our community. If a large enough number of these forms are completed and returned, we will have the leverage we need to make City Hall listen and react to the needs of our community.
This comprehensive poll will help prioritize the projects already online and influence new ones.
Upon receipt, please speak to your neighbors and encourage them to complete the form and return them. If you have to, knock on doors and collect them.
Without your support, we will not succeed. It is important that we all get involved and make efforts like this one count!
Time is ticking…
Juan Sanchez
The City of Coral Gables is supposed to keep e-mail subscribers informed of incidents. Today a noon there was a two hour lockdown of all/most streets in our area. Yet nothing was e-mailed to alert us. My wife was stopped by CGPD at intersection of Veragua/Douglas when returning to work and asked to open the trunk. No problem good police work, but we should have haD A 'HEADS-UP'as a "supposed" City e-mail subscriber. This is yet another example of where the City is going wrong in dealing with its residents.
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
The following is a News Release
ReplyDeleteSUBMITTED BY: OFFICER KELLY DENHAM,
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OFFICER
NEWS RELEASE
ARRESTED
Alejandro Roberto Rodriguez
DOB 03/13/1966
CASE NO.: 09-005094
DATE: June 26, 2009
TIME: 12:07 pm
LOCATION: 18 Carmona Avenue
At approximately 12:07 p.m., Coral Gables Police Officers responded to a call of a suspicious person located at 18 Carmona Avenue. The witness stated that the subject was wearing a green shirt and was dropped off in front of 18 Carmona Avenue by an unknown subject driving a black 4–door car, possibly an older Mercedes. The subject walked to the rear of the residence and was observed by the witness returning to the black car and placing a computer into the car. As the black car left the residence, officers arrived and the subject fled from the scene on foot. A perimeter was immediately established.
With the assistance of the Canine Officers from Coral Gables and the City of Miami Police, a search of the perimeter was conducted. K-9 alerted to the subject in the rear of the residence of 33 Montilla Avenue and the subject was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers. A machete was found under the subject’s body during the arrest.
The subject, Alejandro Rodriguez, Age 43, was charged with burglary to a residence, armed burglary to a residence, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting police with violence. The black 4-door car has not been identified at this time.
###
SUBMITTED BY: OFFICER KELLY DENHAM,
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OFFICER
As we approach the JULY 4th. National Holiday I should like to ask that our neighborhood makes an effort to 'Show the Flag'. Lets all display our Flag on our homes on National Holidays. Regardless of economic conditions this Country gives us amazing freedoms to express ourselves in word, thought and deed. We can openly complain about government and authorities. We can create and publish Blogs without fear of the Authorities. Recent events in China and most particularly Iran show just what happens elsewhere. We could never envision our Armed Forces entering the 'White House' to remove Pres. Barack Hussein Obama in his pyjamas as happened in Honduras!! So lets hoist our Flag and show our thanks for living under the 'Bill of Rights', Happy JULY 4th. to all it is nice to live amongst y'all.
ReplyDeleteGood Watch
Disappointing display of flags !!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone attend the City budget hearing, it even reduced the City Manager to tears. One can read all about it in Sundays "Neighbors" section. Do not expect anything from the City this year.
Good Watch
The following are the results of the questionnaire which was mailed to 199 homes in the area. 22% of the residents who received the questionnaire responded.
ReplyDelete1.Interested in attending next
community meeting 86% YES / 14% NO
2.Approve of pedestrian crosswalk
on Ponce 77% YES / 23% NO
3.Approve of speed tables on
east-west streets 73% YES / 27% NO
4.Approve of 25 mph speed
limit on Ponce 67% YES / 33% NO
5.Approve of narrowing east-west streets 64% YES / 36% NO
6.Approve of traffic circle at Oviedo/Veragua/Ponce 64% YES / 36% NO
7.Approve of limiting turns to/from
Ponce onto Boabadilla 54% YES / 46% NO
8.Approve of closing Boabadilla at
city line 49% YES / 51% NO
9.Approve of closing parts of
the Ponce median 12% YES / 88% NO
Has anyone wondered why it has taken the City so long to finish the project on the Rotary International Park? The project has been at a stand still (abandoned?) for over 3 months now.
ReplyDeleteNot only is this unsightly, it is a hazard waiting to happen to anyone that happenes to walk by mistake into this construction area.
Why has the City not finished this? Is this another example of what we are to them, "the forgotten gables?."I really think we should flood them with emails for answers. I for one have started.
I have seen them working on it in the last 2 weeks. I suspect they may be waiting for materials.
ReplyDeleteHere is another article relating to the City's budget shortfall:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/gables-smiami/v-print/story/1151916.html
Dealing with any City can be very frustrating. No doubt that the lack of resolution of the issues affecting one's community is infuriating. Nevertheless, we must be realistic. One must understand that a City has a responsibility to the City in whole, not just one section of that City. It is easy to lose sight of this concept.
ReplyDeleteThe community must view the City as a whole and understand that any improvement to the City is an improvement to our community as well. By no means does this suggest that one should just sit back and wait for the City to solve the unique issues that affect one's specific section of the City.
The community must stay committed and work with the City to drive resolution of issues that affect one's immediate community. During the process, one must be realistic and understand that it is not as simple as asking and receiving.
As mentioned, the City has a responsibility to the City as a whole. At any time, any one area of the City will have issues and they too expect the City resolve them.
The City cannot afford to meet all these demand at once and will tackle the issue that better serve the City as a whole. This is why it is so important to come together as a community and focus on those issues which affect our community most. Prioritize those issues and show the City what the community expects the City to resolve first. We must also remember that Cities works on a budget and that often challenges the resolution of the issues that are important to us.
It’s easy to point out what the City isn’t doing. Doing so may alleviate one’s frustrations; however, this will not resolve the issues and will only add to one’s anger. Instead, email or call City officials with your concerns and do it as often as one can. Remain active and something will happen. Let the politicians know that you are counting on them. Furthermore, make it known that your vote is riding on their involvement in what is important to your community.
Where are the speed tables? Does anyone know? Has the City made any effort to explain why they have not started to implement these approved devices?
ReplyDeleteI must say, I am very disappointed. We at least deserve an explanation.
Fyi, I spoke with Esther Zabalo, Civil Engineer with the city, to follow up on the letter that was sent to residents in July regarding the next community meeting. She said they are still trying to organize it for the end of September or beginning of October. She repeated that they had wanted to wait until after the August vacation season.
ReplyDeleteIt has been brought to my attention that a meeting has been scheduled for the 21st of October at 6:00 PM at the Commission Chambers at City Hall. It is unclear as to the content of this meeting, however, I have contacted Mr. Cabrera and Ms. Anderson for their input on this and await a response. I will post and email the information as soon as I receive it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that City officials have taken offense to my letter and complaints from those of us who pay our taxes. With all due respect to our Mayor and our public servants, the intent of expressing my discontent with the way the notification to this past meeting was handled was not to offend, but to vent my frustration. If my words were harsh and offensive, I apologize; however, when City officials continually promise to deliver and then don't, time and time again, one tends to wonder are they really with us.
ReplyDeleteMy letter was sent 5 days after the fact. Where was the good faith on behalf of the City. Yet, when a letter and some emails are disbursed, all of the sudden, everyone is on the defensive. Were we supposed to pretend that it never happened?
As I stated in my letter, we in the North Gables have done more than our share in communicating with the City. We have successfully gathered support from many in the area and found common ground. Why is it so hard for the City to effectively communicate with our community.
Early this year, we (North Gables) were told that speed tables would be installed on streets mostly affected by traffic in this area. Why has this not happened? Where is the trolley route expansion between SW 8 ST and Flagler ST? I was told that the City of Coral Gables and the FDOT had approved the funding. In fact I was sent a copy of the resolution made back in May 12, 2009.
So when the Mayor suggests that a "polite, good faith constructive criticism of a mistake or miscue might go a lot further than this ill mannered indignant message" I too take offense. After all isn't polite, good faith constructive criticism what we have offered the City in the past?
Those who know me, know I am far from being ill mannered and would go on to say that I am true and fair to all. Yes it is true, we all make mistakes, and when we do we should admit them. Mr. Delgado or someone on his watch made a mistake. I am sure it isn't the first and it probably won't be the last -- this is human.
Nonetheless, the camel has been carrying a lot of straw on its back and this was one more straw.
I received the letter informing us of a meeting the city is having on Dec 2 2009.
ReplyDeleteNo mention in the letter that the city is encouraging our input or opinion. I will attend this meeting but did you get the idea that whatever they are going to do is already decided and we are there just to listen to their decisions? It is like the Rotary park fiasco. Did the City take into account that there are many seniors and adults in the north gables area without babies and toddlers that may want to use the park and now they cannot because it was innapropriately built for a very limited population? Well here we go again!