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Coral Gables will explore buying Garden of Our Lord property after parents, advocates press city to act
Summary
City commissioners directed staff to explore whether the city could acquire the property that houses Crystal Academy and the Garden of Our Lord, citing preservation, community space and the school’s request for permanence.
Coral Gables commissioners voted March 11 to ask city staff to investigate whether the city could acquire the Garden of Our Lord property on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, the parcel currently occupied by Crystal Academy and green open space. Commissioner Raúl Menéndez made the motion; the commission voted unanimously to direct the manager to examine feasibility, price and next steps.
The move followed pleas from Crystal Academy leaders and neighborhood advocates who told commissioners that keeping the school and the adjoining garden in local hands would protect a community-serving program and preserve open space near Salvador Park. In a letter read into the record, Crystal Academy founder Mary Palacios asked the commission to consider acquisition so “our children can continue thriving in the city they love.”
City staff said the request will trigger standard due diligence: confirming whether the owner is willing to sell, getting a candid market appraisal, and reporting back on funding alternatives and legal mechanisms. Commissioners stressed that the vote did not commit the city to a purchase but authorized staff to explore options including purchase, donation, property swaps or grant-supported acquisition.
Supporters said the property’s size and location make it a priority for preservation. “This would be a tremendous investment in our children’s future and our community’s inclusive values,” Palacios wrote. Opponents at the meeting did not argue against preservation but asked commissioners to be realistic about price and to protect Crystal Academy’s access while any negotiations continue.
City leaders said they will return to the commission with findings and with recommendations on possible funding sources and next steps. The commission asked staff to prioritize resident notification and to include Crystal Academy in planning if a purchase becomes feasible.
If staff identifies a willing seller and a feasible price, commissioners said they would weigh options — including whether to keep Crystal Academy on the site as a tenant, to convert all or part of the parcel to park space, or to deploy a mixed approach that protects both the school and public open space.
