HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Liliana DonesLILIANA DONES
creative tools, inc.
communication arts
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item DI.1 on 01-28-10
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
To the Honorable members of the City of Miami Commission
2901 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE
MIAMI, FL 33133
T 305/445/1711
F 305/445/3819
I d o nesc reati vetoo I s@ mac. com
Jan 28, 2010
My husband and I own several properties in Coconut Grove, and have lived in the middle of
the downtown Coconut Grove entertainment district, since the mid 90s. Back then, the Grove
was such a destination for revelers that we simply did not leave it on weekends, because we
would be caught in traffic returning home at rnidnight and 1 am. I miss those days.
I became civically active in the Village Council and in the Grove Chamber of Commerce, where
I served as president, to promote quality of life and prosperity in my community. To that end, I
support whatever measures will help Coconut Grove thrive, and that includes providing its
downtown district with the SAME AM liquor serving times extended to the rest of the City.
Since this subject was reintroduced this fall, a lot fear and loathing has been stirred among
neighbors. Those not in favor of returning to 5 am maintain that it promotes drunk driving
threatening the safety of our community. No one likes a drunk, least of all, one behind the
wheel. But why is this concern limited to downtown Grove, and the hours of 3 - 5 am
specifically?
The Grove is known for our outdoor festivals, where liquor sponsors are highly sought after,
and beer and rum sales are encouraged during the several hours in which these events take"
place. A great deal of drinking takes place between 11 am and 7 pm, at the end of which
many of these people drive home, often with others in the car, including children.
The Grove is also known for our Happy Hours. Two for one drinks, in a lot of places. You can
pack a lot of drinks into a couple hours, and then drive home at rush hour, when joggers and
cyclists are as prevalent on the roads as they are at 5 am.
There seems to be particular concern as to the safety of cyclists. At recent Village Council
meetings the city presented plans for road improvement along Bird Road, including new
bikeways to encourage more cyclists. Yet there is a bar on Bird Road near the homes of many
of the people who are against 5 am in downtown Grove, which continues to serve liquor until 5
am. And none of these people have expressed an issue with that, or any of the bars
throughout Miami that continue to serve until 5 and even 7 a.m.
It has been proven that being on a cel-phone, or texting while driving is even more dangerous
than drinking and driving. Where is the outrage over that? What are we really fighting for? Or
fighting over? We all want the same thing. Safety and prosperity for our community.
I respectfully urge the City Commission to revisit this law, or establish new ones, that do not
unjustly limit the businesses of i downtown Coconut Grove. Thank You.
/O- _ Subr rici- (— Li (ialla.LOv1eS