Coral Gables mobility hub slowed as costs rise
Challenging market conditions continue to hinder the construction start date for the Coral Gables Mobility Hub.
Due to current market conditions, construction costs have increased substantially and many materials are in short supply, so city staff determined it was best to wait to begin construction, said City Manager Peter J. Iglesias. Groundbreaking was originally slated for September.
“We are currently evaluating the path forward and haven’t decided as to when we will begin demolition and construction,” he said, “but the design has been approved.”
In April, city commissioners approved updating design plans for the Coral Gables Mobility Hub that cost an additional $640,000. Design consultants M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates Inc. were initially paid $2 million to design the first renderings of the hub.
The estimated $40 million mobility hub, which is set to be at 245 Andalusia Ave., was projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024. The city has already signed an agreement with Weitz Company to manage construction, including demolition of the existing parking garage where the hub will rise that will cost the city an additional $1.5 million once the project gets the green light to start.
The hub is to have an internal drive-through lane for ridesharing services, retail and bicycle storage. It will also offer dockless vehicle parking, bike share docking stations, a wi-fi lounge, e-commerce logistics for drone package deliveries and pop-up coffee shops.
Earlier this year, city staff met with the Florida Department of Transportation, which was reportedly thoroughly impressed and encouraged the city to apply for federal grants. The city is also working with a federal lobbyist, who is actively looking for grants and monies to fund the project.
“While it’s been delayed, this is a project we are excited to begin and one which we are committed to moving forward with,” Mr. Iglesias told Miami Today. “The mobility hub is a project that will position Coral Gables for the future. We look forward to breaking ground on this important project.”
