Tensions are running high in Coral Gables as officials grapple with structural concerns and political drama surrounding the city’s historic City Hall. Recent revelations about the building’s structural integrity have prompted a swift response from city administrators, leading to the vacating of the landmark building, constructed in 1928. Mayor Vincent Lago has denounced the move as a product of “political theater,” following a report by engineer Douglas Wood that support columns and beams might be unsound, as
The Miami Herald
reported.
Wood has assessed that City Hall will be safe once necessary reinforcements are made, a task he anticipates being completed shortly. However, City Manager Amos Rojas Jr. has decided to relocate city personnel including the city manager’s staff, the city attorney’s office, the city clerk, and city commission staff to temporary premises, citing “construction dust” and the need to protect employees and visitors. The city commission meetings have already been shifted to the public safety building. This decision, despite Wood’s assurances, hints at deeper issues at play, a detailed critique provided by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, suggests that officials were aware of structural defects but delayed addressing them, according to a report by
Local 10 News
.
The situation has been further complicated by controversy involving the historic Biltmore Hotel, where unauthorized renovations have prompted unanimous concern from city commissioners. Mayor Lago and three commissioners are at odds, with Fernandez accusing the mayor of trying to downplay the Biltmore issue. City administrators are now tasked with reviewing the property, though they claim to have had difficulty accessing some parts of the hotel.
Both Mayor Lago and former city manager Peter Iglesias insist the need for City Hall renovations is well-established and funds have been allocated, though they maintain no action was to be taken until proper plans and contractors were in place. Meanwhile, tensions between the mayor and the new city manager have escalated, with Rojas alleging an assault by Lago, an accusation that was investigated and deemed unfounded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In a statement at the public safety building, Rojas told commissioners, “I am not going to put city employees back in that building until environment conditions are safe for them,” while Lago contested the urgency to vacate, “There is no reason to move,” Lago said, “The building is safe. We have a lot of work to do before we can even consider construction. No one is going to tell me a story that we need to vacate and the building is a catastrophe. We should not use scare tactics for political wins,” as noted by
The Miami Herald.
Despite the charged atmosphere, the city administration is moving forward. Tom Prescott, operator of the Biltmore Hotel, has been summoned to a city commission meeting in December to address the alterations made to the historic site. Commissioner Fernandez has been vocal about the issue, stating to
The Miami Herald
, “For me seeing those pictures was a shock. It completely defaces the lower lobby of the hotel. I told Prescott, you have destroyed our historical gem. ”An apology from Prescott was presented at the meeting, with promises to rectify the situation.
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