After many years of starts and stops, the City of Coral Gables has taken one big step in the campaign to save a once “lost landmark”— the buying back of the historical lampposts from Florida Power and Light (FPL).

The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables has been working with City of Coral Gables officials to bring attention to the condition and need for maintenance, restoration and preservation of the more than 70 remaining historic street lights in the Riviera Section.  Unfortunately, most of the 500 original lights have been lost.  The remaining lights are endangered and in dire need of saving. The acquisition of the lights from FPL will facilitate the road to restoration.

On July 7, the first step (phase one) on the path of preservation and restoration of the Denman Fink-designed, historically-designated lights known as the “White Way Lights” was accomplished.  HPACG has identified four phases in the campaign. The other phases are adding historic markers; restoring/maintaining remaining originals; and restoring the original corridor of the White Way Lights with authentic reproductions (cast from mold of the Denman Fink-designed base).

Below is an excerpt of the commission meeting agenda highlighting the two items relevant to the status of the “White Way Lights”.

1. HPACG presents a $500 check as a symbolic gesture in support of the FPL acquisition (D-1)

2. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to acquire the white way lights from FPL (H-2)

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AGENDA Tuesday, July 7, 2015 City of Coral Gables City Hall, Commission Chambers

1. PERSONAL APPEARANCES D.-1. 15-4063

Karelia Carbonell, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables to present a check in support of the preservation and restoration of Historic White Way Lights.

2. CITY MANAGER ITEMS H.-2. 15-4035

A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to acquire the white way light locations from Florida Power and Light, as referenced on the attached map, specifically those locations along both sides of Riviera Drive from Anastasia Avenue to University Drive and both sides of University Drive from Bird Road to Ponce de Leon Boulevard. (Historic Preservation Board vote: 6-0).

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Why the White Way Lights?

Drive along Riviera Drive—one of the few remaining streets lined with the historically-designated White Way Lights—and capture beauty.  These functional works of art were commissioned 90 years ago by city founder George Merrick–not only to light the fledgling city– but beautify the newly built roads.  Originally 500, only about 70 still exist today.  The White Way Lights project place Merrick as an early advocate of “art in public places”!

The remaining lights, although still beautiful, are endangered and in dire need of saving.

Media

Coral Gables E-News

Gables News August 4, 2015