by Sue McConnell

As the Village of Center Grove (VOCG), we represent the residents of Center Grove bounded by SW 27th Avenue to McDonald (32nd Ave.) and U.S. 1 to South Bayshore Dr. We are the area most directly affected by the Center Grove business district. Since we are the gateway to the Coconut Grove business district, many of our streets are main arteries to the Village area.

Our goal is to protect, preserve, and advance the ambiance and quality of life in our neighborhood. We are primarily interested in crime prevention and police protection, traffic patterns, residential parking, pollution, swale maintenance, maintenance of our parks, minimizing tree removal, protecting our tree canopy, adequate lighting, and promoting residents and tourists to the Village of Coconut Grove.

We are one of the few neighborhoods in the City of Miami where you can stroll or bicycle to an outdoor café, go to the gym, pick up your health food, get a manicure, stop by the post office, pick up a birthday gift, see a matinee, all without getting in your car and driving to a mall.

Our former President, Marc Sarnoff, who is now our Commissioner in District 2, initiated, along with the merchants of Coconut Grove, Code 33 whereby many businesses and restaurants offer discounts to people who live and work in Coconut Grove. A complimentary membership card can be obtained by emailing mcconnell28@msn.com with your name and address. You can then present your card at time of purchase or before ordering from the menu to receive the discount. Strolling the streets, shopping and dining are not just activities, they are forms of entertainment. We want to transform our diners into shoppers and want to nurture and attract residents to patronize our Village businesses. We want to keep residents eating and shopping in Coconut Grove.

In addition to forming Code 33, VOCG sponsored the Great Grove Picnic in Peacock Park, was one of the organizers of the 2009 Mayoral debate, organized residents to help with the fern planting on Commodore Plaza, set up a forum for Coconut Grove Village Council applicants to present to residents, organized a potluck dinner at our local firehouse, to name a few.

The Grove should feel special, and we should feel kind of cool just being here.

Sue McConnell 305-442-9235 mcconnell28@msn.com