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The City of Coral Gables has been at the forefront of energy efficiency and
green initiatives for over 10 years. One of the first items to be replaced in
all City facilities was light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs being used were
replaced with compact florescent bulbs which are longer lasting and use less
power. Electrical timers were installed in all parking lots, garages, parks and
City facilities effectively managing the hours in which lights are turned on
and off. Electric/automated thermostats are more precise and so the City has
replaced manual devices with the digital thermostats for accurate temperature
control. During the peak hours of energy usage, the City’s Police Station
switches to generator power. The move not only conserves energy, but also gives
the City the opportunity to test its generator.
An example of the compact florescent light bulbs the City uses.
Electrical timers control the lights at all City facilities and parks.
Recycling bins are conveniently located in break rooms and cafeterias at City
facilities for employees to use.
Internally, a number of employees take advantage of the City’s recycling
program and discard aluminum cans in designated receptacles. Sending emails
instead of paper is encouraged whenever possible. Office lights are turned off
at the end of the day along with all non-essential equipment. This simple step
reduces the energy used by approximately 25 percent.
Metered parking space on Miracle Mile was turned into a serene garden for a day.
A metered parking space on the corner of Giralda Avenue and Ponce de Leon Boulevard was reclaimed
for the day and turned into a beautiful tropical oasis.
Since 2007, Coral Gables has partnered with the Trust for Public Land on a special event
that takes place simultaneously in several cities throughout the country. As part of the
program, the city transforms a metered parking space into a park for the day. The transformation
usually takes just a few hours of work by employees of the City’s Public Service Department.
The event helps to explain to the community the City’s commitment to conserving land for public projects such as parks,
gardens and natural areas. The parking space is selected from an area of the City, usually in its downtown, that experiences
high pedestrian traffic. People are delighted by the fresh new scenery and the mini-park they get to enjoy for a day.
Many of the City’s parks, entrances and landscapes are planted with drought resistant shrubs,
trees and flowers, cutting down on water consumption and in turn promoting Florida’s native vegetation.
The use of drought tolerant plants promotes water conservation.
Coral Gables is a testing site for solar powered crosswalks. Miami-Dade County
has installed one such crosswalk at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Suarez Avenue.
The pedestrian crosswalk is equipped with solar panels which power the
crossing. A battery backup has the capability of operating for up to five days
without charging.
The City’s proactive measures in promoting an environmentally
sustainable future for the next generation have generated a lot of attention.
For its continuing green efforts, the Broward Audubon Society presented Coral
Gables the 2007 Protector of the Climate Award.
On February 24, 2007, the City was awarded the 2007 Protector of the Climate
Award by the Broward Audubon Society.
For details about all the rules on the water restrictions, use the following
URL to access the Miami Web site:
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