Love it... but as you grow, aspire new goals and new heights, fresh new haters always come with it.... embrace the new haters and yes... the old ones STFU go away and just watch. Thx Dad !
Dear Nicholas, thank you for featuring your dad, Former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera. What a great session! I have a special memory to share about your dad. Many years ago, as Commissioner Cabrera was at the end of his long tenure serving our city, he had some money available to donate to local nonprofits and he chose our organization [the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables] as a beneficiary! This gesture was so appreciated and I have never forgotten. I believe to this day, he may be the only elected official to do that.
And as far as the topic of "Mediterranean Bonus" as established by the Coral Gables Zoning Code, this misguided initiative was created in the 1980s. I believe it was a reactionary move to halt the “modern” architectural designs populating the city at the time. [Ironically, today these same designs are nationally heralded as meritorious architectural works] This "bonus" helped stymie architectural creativity. Our founder's flair was flatlined. The city's authentic Mediterranean design has been diluted. Many calling these new designs "Med Faux" of "Med Gone Bad" Architect Jose Gelabert-Navia, who helped write the original city ordinance providing the zoning bonus for Mediterranean architecture, says it’s often been misused [Miami Herald, 2019]. Currently, our city's Mediterranean Bonus "standards" are undergoing much needed reckoning. What started as an attempt to safeguard the city's Mediterranean roots, has led to a Mediterranean faux pas. Maybe it's time to revisit Merrick's internationalist design philosophy.
While it is prudent and important to preserve a city’s cultural and architectural identity, one design style does not wholly define it. Mediterranean Revival is our city’s foundational heritage but its preservation should not mean homogeneity in architectural styles. George Merrick’s city must continue to embrace a full spectrum of architectural designs just as he planned it.
Coral Gables was never meant to be myopic in its architectural heritage. Not during Merrick's time, and not now.
Great Episode. I love the content but also love the banter you have with your Dad!
Ralph Cabrera for governor.
Love it... but as you grow, aspire new goals and new heights, fresh new haters always come with it.... embrace the new haters and yes... the old ones STFU go away and just watch. Thx Dad !
I really appreciate the work that Nicholas Cabrera is doing; great podcast.
Also enjoyed the interview with his dad ~ looking forward for episode 2. Very informative and well explained.
Now that I’m retired, I have become a “Parade Watcher”, wasn’t aware of the “parade” at all for the past 24 years :(
We really need to get involved and learn what is going on in our City Beautiful.
Regards,
Thank you Eddie! I appreciate your comments and I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. Stay tuned for Part 2!
👏 👏 👏
Dear Nicholas, thank you for featuring your dad, Former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera. What a great session! I have a special memory to share about your dad. Many years ago, as Commissioner Cabrera was at the end of his long tenure serving our city, he had some money available to donate to local nonprofits and he chose our organization [the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables] as a beneficiary! This gesture was so appreciated and I have never forgotten. I believe to this day, he may be the only elected official to do that.
And as far as the topic of "Mediterranean Bonus" as established by the Coral Gables Zoning Code, this misguided initiative was created in the 1980s. I believe it was a reactionary move to halt the “modern” architectural designs populating the city at the time. [Ironically, today these same designs are nationally heralded as meritorious architectural works] This "bonus" helped stymie architectural creativity. Our founder's flair was flatlined. The city's authentic Mediterranean design has been diluted. Many calling these new designs "Med Faux" of "Med Gone Bad" Architect Jose Gelabert-Navia, who helped write the original city ordinance providing the zoning bonus for Mediterranean architecture, says it’s often been misused [Miami Herald, 2019]. Currently, our city's Mediterranean Bonus "standards" are undergoing much needed reckoning. What started as an attempt to safeguard the city's Mediterranean roots, has led to a Mediterranean faux pas. Maybe it's time to revisit Merrick's internationalist design philosophy.
While it is prudent and important to preserve a city’s cultural and architectural identity, one design style does not wholly define it. Mediterranean Revival is our city’s foundational heritage but its preservation should not mean homogeneity in architectural styles. George Merrick’s city must continue to embrace a full spectrum of architectural designs just as he planned it.
Coral Gables was never meant to be myopic in its architectural heritage. Not during Merrick's time, and not now.