The West Grove area of Coconut Grove, which is roughly defined by the boundaries of Precinct 584, is a historically African-American community, and 86 percent of its residents today are of African American decent. However, this number is decreasing as a result of gentrification.
Most of West Grove is in the city of Miami, although its westernmost blocks are part of the city of Coral Gables. Small segments of the West Grove fall in precincts 632, 585 and 586.
Few people own their own homes in West Grove: Approximately 80 percent of West Grove residents are tenants. The unemployment rate hovers between 16 and 20 percent, significantly higher than the state and national averages.
Among registered voters in Precinct 584, 69 percent are registered Democrats, 14 percent are Republicans and 16 percent are classified as “other” by the Miami-Dade County Elections Department. Voter turnout for municipal elections has been traditionally low, hovering around 5 to 10 percent, which some observers attribute to a general feeling among West Grove residents that their voices are not being heard by their political representatives. However, voter turnout spiked during the 2008 national election, to 67.2 percent, overwhelmingly for Barack Obama.
Local churches and private organizations have stepped in to serve the needs of the West Grove and to create a sense of community. Local churches run soup kitchens and provide hot shower service for the homeless. The Helen B. Bentley Family Health Center provides health care for low-income residents. The Gibson Health Initiative, founded by former Coconut Grove resident Thelma Gibson, provides HIV/AIDS testing and assistance.
County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez, whose district includes the West Grove, runs a community center that helps residents access government services.
Following is a list of elected officials whose constituencies include the residents of West Grove.
CITY OF MIAMI
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
3500 Pan American Dr.
Miami, Fla. 33133
Phone: 305-250-5333
Email: msarnoff@miamigov.com
COCONUT GROVE VILLAGE COUNCIL
Stephen Murray
Councilman, Village of Coconut Grove
Democratic Committeeman, Precinct 584
Email: stephen@stephenmurrayactivism.org
Phone: (305) 403-9637
http://www.stephenmurrayactivism.org
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers
405 Biltmore Way, 2nd Floor
Coral Gables, Fla. 33134
Phone: 305-460-5323
Email: wwithers@coralgables.com
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Commissioner Carlos Gimenez
Aide for West Grove: Homer Whittaker
West Grove Office at the Frankie Rolle Center
3750 S. Dixie Hwy.
Miami, Fla. 33133
Phone: 305-446-3311
Phone, Downtown office: 305-375-5680
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Carlos Lopez-Contera
Assistant: Joseph Ruiz
2300 Coral Way, Suite 111
Miami, Fla. 33145
Phone: 305-442-6877
Tallahassee Office
323 The Capitol
402 South Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399-1300
Phone: 850-488-4202
STATE SENATOR
Dan Gelber
Assistants: Ashley Ligas, Alexis Moseley and Debra Schwartz
1920 Meridian Ave., 3rd Floor
Miami Beach, Fla. 33139-1818
Phone: 305-535-5485
Email: gelber.dan.web@flsenate.gov
Tallahassee Office
226 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399-1100
Phone: 850-487-5121
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
4960 SW 72 Ave., Suite 208
Miami, Fla. 33155
Phone: 305-668-2285
Fax: 305-668-5970
Washington, D.C. Office
2470 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, D.C. 20515-0918
Phone: 202-225-3931
Fax: 202-225-5620
U.S. SENATORS
George S. LeMieux
800 Douglas Rd., Suite 148
Coral Gables, Fla. 33134
Phone: 305-444-8332
Fax: 305-444-8449
Washington, D.C. Office:
356 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tel: 202-224-3041
Email: info@lemieux.senate.gov
Bill Nelson
2925 Salzedo St.
Coral Gables, Fla. 33134
Phone: 305-536-5999
Fax: 305-536-5991
Washington, D.C. Office:
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C .20510
Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183
COCONUT GROVE COLLABORATIVE
President: Jihad S. Rashid
3628 Grand Ave.
Coconut Grove, Fla. 33133
Phone: 305- 445-2418
Email:info@collaborative.org
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association
Pierre Sands, President
PO Box 331389
Miami, Fla. 33133
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Charity Johnson
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Coconut Grove, Fla. 33133
Phone: 305-444-7270
Email: info@coconutgrove.com
The Grand Avenue Directory is a local directory of all businesses, churches and other useful information relevant to Village West. Getting listed is free. If you feel we are missing something, please send us an email to directory@grandavenews.com.
Information compiled by Kaitlyn Defrancisco, Alicia Dry, Alyssa Morelli and Elana Reman
