Commission directs staff to advance mobility hub design, selects 'Carved by Nature' facade

The City Commission voted to move forward with a refined design for the downtown mobility hub (Parking Garage 1), selecting the 'Carved by Nature' facade and authorizing additional design work to finalize construction documents.

Gensler designers described a biophilic facade that uses metal panel patterning and integrated planting niches to reduce the visual bulk and animate Miracle Mile. “We’re really trying to connect this facade and this building itself with what we think is the most important thing about Coral Gables, which is the lushness of the area,” the Gensler presenter said.

City Manager Peter Iglesias emphasized adaptability and engineering: the design increases interior clear heights to support possible future adaptive reuse and reduces noise from forced‑air ventilation. He told commissioners the selected option addressed pedestrian activation, art niches and a rooftop activation program with restaurant/community spaces.

Public commenters praised safety and transparency while also warning that the structure’s height and massing must respect Miracle Mile and neighboring theaters. Following discussion, the commission approved advancing option 1 and authorized a change order to the city’s design consultant to complete construction documents and bring the project to the procurement/construction phase. The commission recorded a split vote on some procedural separations but supported moving to the next stage of the project.

Next steps call for completion of construction documents, hiring a construction manager at risk, and advancing the change order (H4) for Gensler to finalize details before permitting and construction.