Historic Preservation Board approves donated sculpture for Coral Gables Library butterfly garden

The City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board voted to approve the installation of a donated sculpture, Planting Pollinators, for the Coral Gables Library butterfly garden.

Staff said the Coral Gables Garden Club commissioned artist Xavier Cortada to create a hand-carved, hand-painted bas-relief ceramic sculpture to commemorate the Garden Club’s centennial and highlight the role of pollinators. Anna Perness, historic preservation staff, told the board the piece had already received unanimous approvals from the Arts Advisory Panel, the Cultural Development Board and the City Commission and that staff recommended design approval because the installation would not "destroy or detract from the integrity of the historic landmark" and was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Board members asked about size, siting and maintenance. Perness said the sculpture is essentially a 48-inch sphere set on a base and will be located inside the existing butterfly garden on Segovia at the library. The Garden Club will cover the cost of fabrication and installation; once donated the city will be responsible for routine cleaning and maintenance under an approved maintenance plan. The library — a city-owned property operated by Miami-Dade County — was notified and has agreed to the installation, staff said.

Ms. Peggy Rolando moved to approve a special certificate of appropriateness for the installation; a second was offered and the board called the roll. The motion passed 6–1, with Javier Banos recording the lone “no.”