Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, March 2, 1961, page 7 (of 26)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Gables Was Built By Dreamers - Here Are Two Of Them
Coral Gables has been shaped by dreamers. The city's debt to two of them, George K. and Rebyl Zain, is to be acknowledged in enduring form on March 3. In the presence of city officials and civic leaders, a bronze plaque is to be unveiled at the fountain at the wesetern end of Miracle Mile. It is a happy circumstance that the Zains themselves will be present. The general public is invited. Without the Zains, Gableites agree, the city would not have been able to boast today of the smart shopping street which has gained national distinction as the Miracle Mile. Friends of the dynamic Zain and his wife are especially pleased that the honor comes while both recipients are still residents of Coral Gables and able to savor a kind of recognition that too often occurs only posthumously. Father of the Mile "Father of the Miracle Mile" is an expression often heard when the name comes up in Coral Gables conversation. "Father and Mother" would be a closer approximation of the facts. For Zain's wife, Rebyl, has been not only his eyes (George has been blind since 1945) but also the skilled and tireless publicist who brought his visions to the attention of all South Florida. On the national stage, Zain's flourishing career in the field of newspaper promotion was pulled up short in 1937 when he was faced with the choice of retirement from active business or a probable early death. Seeking relaxation, he came to Coral Gables to view a lot that he had purchased in the frenzied boom days. The Coral Gables of 1937 was a community struggling to regain its feet after the boom-and-bust years of the 1920's. Its streets were weed-grown, its lovely fountains dry and silent. The lot Zain had purchased in 1923 for $2500 was worth about $200. More than 12.000 lots were not paying taxes. But Zain responded sympathetically to the inherent loveliness of George Merrick's dream city and the economic soundness of its location in the path of greater Miami's future growth. He backed his judgment with investment, erecting serveral apartment buildings while he regained his health. Back To Work Restored in a few years to his former active life, Zain charged back into the national scene. But not for long. In the early 1940's his sight was threatened by glaucoma. Again he returned to Coral Gables but his compulsive energy made a leisure life impossible. The next few years were spent in building prestige for the community through promotions and publicity. This was the incubation period for the conception of a shopping section of such excellence and charm that all South Florida would feel its influence. Glancoma continued its baleful course and in a few years, Zain was totally blind. For most men, this would have been the end of meaningful activity. But this indomitable promoter's most substantial accomplishment was still ahead of him. In 1945, the stretch of Coral Way which extended from the eastern city limits to the City Hall was largely pine-dotted vacant property. Most of the scattered buildings dated back to the days of the boom. Here Zain's sightless eyes envisioned the shopping and business center of his dreams. Bedroom City The skeptics sneered. Coral Gables, they said, was a bedroom city; it could never support an important business street. But men of greater faith were stirred by the vision. A group of Coral Way property owners joined Zain in an Association to encourage the building of stores and their occupancy by firms dedicated to high standards of quality. The sightless promoter and his wife brought all their enthusiasm to bear on the project. The first new shop opened in the fall of 1946 in a building erected by Zain himself. Others followed quickly. Soon it became apparent that parking facilities would be inadequate unless off-street parking lots were established. Conventional methods of attacking the problem were costly and full of delays. So Zain devised a leasing system-now nationally famous as the "Zain Plan"-through which land owners lease their property to the city on a long-term basis. The city pays the taxes, paves the lots and installs meters. City and owners share returns from the meters. Within a few years the pine trees had disappeared from Coral Way, replaced by the marble and tile and polished elegance of smart new store fronts. "Zain's Folly", as some had called it, became the shopping showplace of all South Florida. One of Zain's most effective promotional rabbits was pulled from the hat very early in the development. "We realized," Zain reminisced, "that the name 'Coral Way' described a street, not a locality. Moreover, the street ran through parts of three municipalities. Anyone in its whole length could capitalize on our publicity." To remedy this, the smart new shopping section of Coral Way was designated "Miracle Mile." The name was used informally at first. Later, when opposition from unimaginative elements was overcome, action of the City Commission made it official. Crowning Touch Zain and his associates were ready now for the crowning touch. They had assembled a fabulous collection of fine shops and, with, a touch of inspiration, had christened it with an unforgettable name. It remained now to make the street look as distinguished as it sounded. "Coral Gables is known all over America as a city of beautiful Homes," Zain points out; "we were determined to prove that a shopping street could be made equally typical of Florida at its best." This final touch of grace - the landscaping of Miracle Mile-took 10 years to bring to realization. There were those whose vision failed when they weighed the cost of beautification against its expected benefits. But persistant effort finally prevailed. In November 1955, Miracle Mile became a shopping street set in a garden. Its palm-lined expanse is at last a strong contender for the title George Zain sought for it-"the most beautiful business street to be found anywhere." Today, at 72, Zain has relaxed the pace at which he drove himself for so many years. He and Rebyl live quietly, content to let younger shoulders assume the workaday burdens. But even now, when these about-to-be-honored Gableites speak of the Miracle Mile, there is warmth and enthusiasm and a crusading spirit in their words. "The business section of a city is its mirror" Zain will exclaim. "A beautiful and prosperous business section bears a great portion of the city's tax burden," Rebyl will add. Gableites listen and nod. Dreamers have paid off for Coral Gables. THE SHOPPERS ALONG MIRACLE MILE wouldn't be there today if it weren't for George K. Zain and Rebyl, his wife, (inset) who developed Miracle Mile into what it is today. They will be honored for their efforts in a special ceremony Friday at 2 p.m. in ceremonies at one of the fountains on the west end of the Mile. The public is invited.
MAXIM INTERIORS
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Little Jack Horner Shop
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Permission Needed To Park On Private Land
The Coral Gables City Commission last week picked up a few loose ends by re-adopting a parking ordinance left out of the City Code when it was codified. The ordinance makes it illegal to park a motor vehicle on any privately or publicly owned parking lot or other private or public property without permission of the owner, lessee or tenant. In the case of city-owned land, permission must be obtained from the city manager or police chief. Vehicles may be removed and impounded at the request of the owner or police officer in the case of public property. A fine of from $5 to $25 and a sentence of not less than one day or more than 10 days is provided.
LEATHER WORLD INC.
"A WORLD OF LEATHER ON WORLD FAMOUS MIRACLE MILE" LUGGAGE and GIFTS To Please Every Taste & Purse Gold Stamping Done on Premises 339 MIRACLE MILE HI 6-7888 (Bunny Item)
Bomb Shelter Plans Delayed By Coral Gables
The Coral Gables Zoning Board recently put off making a decision on construction of bomb or fallout shelters until the Board of Architects submits its recommendation. I. Tommy Thomas, chairman of the Metro Zoning Board, recently asked Dade County municipalities for their recommendations on the shelters. Three types of shelters are being considered-underground, above ground and those constructed as basements to residences. Zoning Board member Jack Plunkett, who submitted various brochures prepared by Civil Defense personnel and Superintendent of Documents in Washington, recommended to the board that the same setbacks required of residential buildings be made applicable to the shelters. Plunkett also recommended that underground shelters be constructed as close to the property lines as desired, but that entrances be within the setback and that mounds be landscaped.
Gables Adds To Its Work Chart
The Coral Gables City Commission recently passed an ordinance adding new elements to its organizational chart. Added were the recently created Recreation Advisory Board and the Citizens Transit Committee, which are responsible to the City Commission. A new department was also added - that of Tax Assessor. This followed the recent re-instatement of Thomas C. Blount as head of the department. An up to date organizational chart is required by the City Charter.
PAY ALL BILLS WITH 1 CHECK!
1. List all bills to find total sum due. 2. Add 10c per item. 3. Enclose all appropriate bill sections. 4. Send check or Money Order to: CONSOLIDATED BONDED SERVICE Box 1677, Coral Gables, Florida 5. Call HI 6-0516 for further information
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BISCAYNE EXTERMINATING SERVICE
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