Coconut Grove is one of the many neighborhoods in Miami that have underwent significant changes over the past decade, with new residential and commercial development bringing in new residents by the thousands.

Neighborhoods.com caught up with Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) executive director Nicole Singletary to discuss the important changes in the neighborhood and her vision for the future.

Image via Nicole Singletary

You joined the Coconut Grove BID last November. What initiatives/programs have you implemented since then?

Considering the many changes afoot in Coconut Grove, mobility is a major focus for the BID. In the past year alone, over a dozen shops, cafes, and restaurants have opened and there are multiple condominium and office projects underway, which will bring thousands of new people into the neighborhood. The return of the Grove as a lifestyle and tourism destination means we must find new ways of moving people around and easing congestion, especially in the Village’s commercial core.

Last year, the BID spent $400,000 to help bring the City of Miami’s free trolley service to the Grove. Using the trolley passengers can connect to nearby Metrorail and Metromover lines, helping to improve access to our public transit network. We’re also looking for ways to reduce the number of cars in the commercial core through programs like centralized valet, which allows drivers to drop off and pick up their vehicles at multiple locations in the center Grove. The program alleviates the need to circle in search of parking and get visitors out of their cars faster.

The BID and Miami Parking Authority have also teamed up to track parking activity in the Grove using a network of sensors embedded in the street and parking lots. This is the first step toward bringing a smart parking system to the Grove, which would enable drivers to use an app to find an available parking spot before arriving in the neighborhood.

What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?

The success of the electric golf cart ride-share service Freebee which has also launched in other Miami neighborhoods has been a big accomplishment for me personally. Since we launched Freebee service in February, ridership has nearly doubled each month. To keep up with demand, the BID recently expanded both the service area and hours of operation so that Freebee now operates 7 days per week throughout the entire neighborhood. It’s great to see people making their way to dinner in “green” golf carts versus circling the streets for parking.

The BID will be seeking renewal for another 10-year term. Can you describe the BID’s importance to the future of Coconut Grove?

The BID was formed in 2009 to help jumpstart the neighborhood’s comeback after some difficult years. The Grove has largely rebounded but today we face a new set of challenges, chief among them is to ensure the Grove remains competitive as new “hotspots” like Brickell and Wynwood gain in popularity.

For decades, Coconut Grove was the place to be in Miami—Joni Mitchell and David Crosby were first introduced in the Grove and Michael Jackson shot the music video for “Thriller” at our local cemetery. We want to keep our quirkiness, classic architecture, and laid-back vibe intact while evolving to serve a new generation of residents, workers, and visitors.

To this end, the BID has developed a 10-year Master Implementation Plan to help guide the Grove’s growth in a balanced, responsible way. We’re ready and willing to usher in the next chapter in Coconut Grove’s history and that means acting as a vocal advocate not only for our businesses but for the entire neighborhood. It’s our goal to keep the Grove on course and thriving.

Assuming the BID is renewed, what future plans do you have?

We have a lot of plans! We’re looking to rev up our street-level services with things like “smart” trash cans that make sanitation pick up more efficient and greener, while working with our local utility companies to bury electrical lines, which is one of the best ways to prevent outages caused by hurricanes and other severe weather. We also want to continue an educational workshop series we started this year for merchants and business owners on topics like reaching more customers through social media and marketing yourself online. Supporting our local business is always top of mind and this will become increasingly important as the Grove as a market becomes more competitive.

As a resident, what would you like to see more (or less) of in Coconut Grove?

We’re on our way to making the Grove a true live, work, play community, and I plan on doing everything that I can to keep us on that course. We’ve been fortunate to welcome several new retailers, restaurant concepts, and new office projects to the Grove over the past year and the momentum can only continue to build from here.

Do you have a favorite spot(s) in Coconut Grove?

As executive director of the BID, I have many “children” and it would be impossible to choose favorites! I will say that not to be missed is Peacock Park, a 9-acre public park just east of downtown Coconut Grove. Grab your friends, your dog, and a picnic and you’re good to go.

What advice or information would you share with somebody who is considering moving to Coconut Grove?

I would tell them to do away with any preconceived notions they might have about what it is or isn’t like to live in Miami. I love seeing the reactions on peoples’ faces as they drive from Brickell into the Grove because it really does feel like entering a different world. The Grove is truly a special place and I just feel lucky to call it home.

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