Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, November 24, 1960, page 1 (of 24)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
THE TIMES
Coral Gables South Miami THE TIMES the local community newspaper for all South Dade Vol. 35 No. 41 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, November 24, 1960 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c
Gables Will Get Skyscraper -- If Hearing May Bring Big, Angry Turnout
By MAURICE LABELLE A $3 million, 12-story luxury apartment building will get underway in April on the south-west corner of Biltmore Way and Cardena — if, If the proposal can hurdle the formidable obstacle of a public hearing Dec. 6 and muster enough votes among city commissioners. Details of the plan were revealed to the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday after it had been discussed informally by commissioners the previous week. If approved, the apartment may establish a new pattern of high rise buildings in Coral Gables. Only one similar building has been okayed before — a 13-story apartment structure in Sunrise Harbour which has yet to get underway. Belongs Here "We just feel that it belongs up here," A. H. Sakolsky told the Commission Tuesday in making his pitch with architect Peter Jefferson. "Coral Gables deserves some-thing better than barracks construction," said Sakolsky, who described the Gables as a "prestige area." Sakolsky said that other areas, including Brickell Ave., in Miami, had been considered but that Coral Gables was considered a better location. The proposal touched off a debate in the Commission about coming to some policy decision on high rise buildings. It was pointed out that the Zoning and Planning Boards had been directed to conduct a study of the problem, but that their report was not yet ready. Hearing Date Commissioners decided finally to set Dec. 6 as the public hearing date on the Sakolsky proposal and instructed City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. to notify all property owners within 500 feet or a city block, whichever is greater, of the hearing before the Commission. A seven-story apartment had been considered in the same general area, but fell through because of insufficient land area. A five-story apartment was approved a block away at the intersection of Coral Way and Cardena. The building is under construction, nearly three stories having been completed. The new 12-story building would be constructed on a tract of land 430 by slightly more than 100 feet. Sakolsky told the Commission that it would contain 150 families and would have sufficient parking facilities — all completely underground under the building. The two-bedroom, two-bath units would rent for approximately $200-$225 a month, Sakolsky said, with one-bedroom, one-bath apartments renting for approximately $160. Efficiencies, Too A number of efficiencies would also be incorporated in the building, and these would rent for between $120 to $125. The "skyscraper's" first floor would contain a lobby, switchboard and commissary for the building, which would be completely serviced, Sakolsky said. Plans also call for the wafer-like building to be set back 72 feet from the street. Only two zoning exceptions are needed, one for ground coverage, 1.4 percent less than normally required and for canopies without parapet. City Hall may not be big enough to hold spectators who may jam the City Commission Room Dec. 6 on what may be history-making day for Coral Gables if the high riser is approved.
Gables Club Pool Gets OK At Last
The Coral Gables Country Club will finally get its swimming pool—a proposal approved by the City in 1953, but long delayed. City Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to sustain the Zoning Board on two variances and to deny a request to have the 1953 ordinance set aside. Dozens of area property owners objected to the proposal on the grounds that noise would disturb them and property values would decline. They threatened to circulate a petition. Ironically, the area adjacent to the east side of the city-owned and privately leased Country Club had been zoned for a swimming pool years ago, but had been used for a parking lot for the club. Back To Life The swimming pool proposal came back to life recently when attorney Bernard E. Weksler charged that the Country Club had promised to build the pool as part of its long-term lease with the City, but had never done so. Recently, a proposal to construct the pool on the Granada Golf Course received a cool reception from the City Commission. Plans then jelled to construct the pool at the site originally picked seven years ago. But two zoning exceptions were needed. One was on the 10-foot setback and the second on construction of an eight-foot wall. Commissioners pointed out that no Commission or Zoning Board action would have been necessary if the pool had been built without these two factors. The Country Club was represented Tuesday by Robert Yoxall, the manager. Extension of Wall Yoxall pointed out that the eight-foot wall would be an extension of the existing wall. Mrs. Stanley Ruzow, of 901 North Greenway Dr., in an unusual procedure, asked the City Commission to rescind the August 1953 ordinance granting permission to build the pool. Mrs. Ruzow, like her neighbors, claimed that noise would be disturbing and their property be devaluated. Following the recommendation of the Zoning Board, the City Commission prohibited the use of loudspeakers at the pool. Pool use is restricted to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
THE FUTURE OF CORAL GABLES and the role that advertising and publicity about the city will play in our lives heads the agenda Dec. 2 when businessmen and homeowners will meet at the Miracle Theatre. At right, Bert Burris, head of the Coral Gables advertising and publicity departm n t, offers a personal invitation to Al Friedman, recently elected president of the Gables Retail Merchants Association. All persons interested in the future prosperity of the Gables as a place in which to work and live are invited to attend the 8:15 a.m. session. Gables To 'Premiere' Public Relations Program
THE FUTURE OF CORAL GABLES and the role that advertising and publicity about the city will play in our lives heads the agenda Dec. 2 when businessmen and homeowners will meet at the Miracle Theatre. At right, Bert Burris, head of the Coral Gables advertising and publicity departm n t, offers a personal invitation to Al Friedman, recently elected president of the Gables Retail Merchants Association. All persons interested in the future prosperity of the Gables as a place in which to work and live are invited to attend the 8:15 a.m. session. A special "premiere"—open to the public and aimed especially at business and professional men in the community — will be staged at the Miracle Theater Friday, Dec. 2. The program, scheduled for 8:15 a.m., will feature a preview of the advertising program of the City of Coral Gables, scheduled to be launched a few days later. Coral Gables' largest theater was selected to accommodate what the special advertising committee hopes will be a large turnout of persons interested in the economic welfare of the community. Robert Hildreth, chairman of the advertising committee, will conduct the special program. He will be assisted by Bert Burris, director of the Coral Gables Advertising and Publicity Department and representatives of Bishopric, Green, Fielden, the agency which produced the campaign. "It is common practice," Hildreth said, "for the boards of directors of large corporations to have an opportunity of previewing their advertising programs. "But for a whole city to be so invited is rare indeed — and feasible only because the ample seating capacity of the Miracle Theater has been made available to us." A crisp, informative half hour program using tape recordings and visual materials projected on the theater screen wil supplement the speakers, Burris said. Morning Meeting The reason for holding the meeting at an early morning hour, Burris said, is to make it possible for merchants and other business and professional people to attend before their regular day begins. Coral Gables' new stepped up publicity and advertising campaign for 1960-61 resulted from increased appropriations from the City Commission in this year's budget. A paid director was authorized and a committee set up to handle advertising and publicity policies.
Vandals Put Antilla Hotel In News Again
The Antilla Hotel, subject of a man hunt last Friday, was in the news again Monday when Coral Gables police discovered another break and found the place ransacked and vandalized. The break was discovered by Officer Leland J. Pluto at 8:15 p.m. while on patrol. Pluto said he saw the front door open and when he checked the deserted hotel out with Officer E. E. Callahan he found evidence of arson and ransacking. A metal pool cover had been stolen, creating a hazard for neighborhood children. Friday, an array of Gables police, armed with shotguns and other weapons, searched the building after someone reported seeing someone break in. The search of the Arthur Vining Davis owned building revealed nothing.
Woman Tugs Harder In Purse Snatch Try
Another Coral Gables woman has reported successfully out-tugging a purse snatcher. Sylvia Curtis, 8341 SW 29th St., told Coral Gables police that she and her friend, Sylvia Spiegal, no address given, were walking through the Miracle Building Arcade shortly before 10:30 p.m. when two youths accosted them. One of them attempted to steal her bag. She said she clung to her bag until her arms hurt and the snatcher was unable to wrest it away from her. Finally, she told police, some unidentified youth chased the willing but weak thieves away.
Gables Women To Plant 800 Flower Bulbs
A group of nine local women's clubs, led by the Coral Gables Woman's Club, will plant between 600 and 800 flower bulbs in bins on Alhambra near Ponce de Leon Blvd. Monday afternoon. A white cross on red background will be formed by the flowers in the bed, located across the street from the Coral Gables Presbyterian Church.
November 26th Santa's Coming With Music And Reindeer
The arrival of Santa Claus in Coral Gables Saturday, Nov. 26, will have added attractions. The host of youngsters expected to await Santa's arrival in Merrick Park, opposite City Hall, will be entertained with Christmas music played by a live band— Jerry Veri and his Veritones. A little before Santa drops out of the sky in a helicopter — an event scheduled for 10:30 a.m. — another famous Christmas character will be on hand to greet him and the children. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, or a reasonable facsimile thereof in the form of a real, live deer, has promised to be there. With Christmas decorations on all the light poles, Christmas gift suggestions in the store windows and Christmas smiles on the faces of sales personnel, there will be no room for doubt that the Christmas shopping season has indeed arrived in Coral Gables.