Coral Gables residents agree: the Gables is one of the best cities in South Florida. I had the chance to interview several residents at a Barnes & Noble on the famed-strip "Miracle Mile". The mean age of the residents I talked with was 32, they all complained about one issue: parking.
The city is known for its art shows, music festivals, bars and exotic cuisine from Middle Eastern to Cuban. It gains a lot of its revenue from both locals and tourists flowing in to these hot spots around the downtown area for a good time. The Gables is also home to the University of Miami so it is no surprise that the streets are filled with college students and an overall young adult crowd.
However, a few miles away, the residential areas filled with families and retirees are not pleased with the parking problems that the city can not seem to control. I have made several attempts, both by phone and by e-mail, to contact the Parking Department of Coral Gables but have yet to hear a response.
Their webpage provides information on meter system implemented last year called "CashKey". This new form of payment uses a key that contains a pre-deposited amount of money up to $100. The key is inserted at the designated meter where you select how much you want deducted in 25 cent intervals. In other words, it is the equivalent of a SunPass for a parking meter.
CashKey Brochure: http://www.coralgables.com/CGWeb/documents/parking_docs/CashKey_Brochure.pdf
The CashKey meters are currently available at these locations:
Chamber of Commerce
224 Catalonia Ave
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 446-1657
BID Office
224 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 569-0311
Books & Books
265 Aragon Ave.
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 442-4408
Le Provencal Restaurant
382 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 448-8984
Publix
2551 Le Jeune Road
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 445-2641
Finance Department
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 460-5298
Parks & Recreation Department
405 University Drive
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
305 460-5605
Parking Department
2801 Salzedo Street 2nd floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-460-5540
While the city is still on the drawing board for finding parking alternatives, it recently debuted solar-powered parking pay stations in the Downtown district. These new stations are not only energy-saving but also convenient as drivers are offered various payment options. The pay stations accept coins, dollar bills, as well as both credit and debit cards.
According to a city press release, 80 parking pay stations will be placed in parking lots along Biltmore Way, Alhambra Circle, Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Downtown within the next two months. This new project is dumping 800 parking meters and opting for a more sleek and state-of-the-art aesthetic. In addition, they will run a trial period with these new meters in the heavily popular Miracle Mile.
Source: http://www.cggazette.com/index.cfm?dsp=news.view&nid=3082
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