The mayor announced that Coral Gables will celebrate its centennial in April 2024. The celebration will honor Merrick’s vision of blending old-world charm with modern urban innovation. The event will also commemorate the centennial of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, which Merrick established shortly after founding the city.

Significant infrastructure projects were a focal point of the address. Mayor Lago emphasized the ongoing undergrounding of power lines, a partnership with Florida Power and Light initiated in February 2023. The project, which aims to beautify the city and strengthen its power grid, is being executed at no cost to the city or taxpayers. This initiative took seven years of planning and negotiations.

Mayor Lago also discussed the addition of four new parks in the downtown area over the next few years. These green spaces are part of development agreements with local developers and will include a nearly 20,000-square-foot park adjacent to a new Publix redevelopment. The mayor underscored the importance of green spaces in attracting both residents and businesses to the downtown area.

The address highlighted the revitalization of the Central Business District, with Miracle Mile being visited 3.2 million times this year. The street has been named one of Time Out’s coolest streets in the world, and Coral Gables itself was listed as one of the top five coolest cities. New businesses such as FIFA, Ryder, and dining establishments like MAA Agave and Mama have contributed to this renewed vibrancy.

Public safety remains a core mission for the city. Both the police and fire departments have received recognition for their efforts, with the fire department earning a prestigious ISO Class One ranking, placing it among the top departments nationwide. The mayor assured residents of the city’s fiscal health, emphasizing that Coral Gables holds a AAA bond rating from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch. He vowed not to touch the city’s reserves and to continue advocating for lower taxes.