Four months after he got sworn in as Coral Gables’ newest commissioner, Richard Lara is finally bringing his first resolution to the dais. You’d think it might be some bold policy idea to set the tone for his term. Maybe something on development, zoning, traffic — or even trees.
Nope. Item F-17 on Tuesday’s agenda is… a street naming. And it’s not even his idea.
Lara is sponsoring a resolution to support the co-designation of a portion of SW 57th Avenue, from Calle Ocho to Coral Way, as “Wayne Russell and Jimmy Fabbricatore Way.” That’s a mouthful. Try to ask directions to that and let’s see what happens.
The naming is to honor the longtime owners and operators of the beloved Duffy’s Tavern — which was done last month by Miami-Dade Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis. Duffy’s Tavern is technically in West Miami, where Milian Orbis was a commissioner before she was appointed by the county commission months ago to replace Kevin Cabrera, the new U.S. Ambassador to Panama.
Can’t Lara, who has so far been an echo chamber for Mayor Vince Lago, have an original thought?
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Don’t get Ladra wrong: Russell and Fabbricatore are both respected names in local history and may very well deserve recognition. But the timing makes it look like Lara is borrowing from the county playbook rather than drafting something of his own. After four months in office, Lara’s first big idea is… someone else’s.
The street naming is to highlight significant role Duffy’s Tavern has played in the local community for over 40 years, serving as a gathering place for residents and fans of various sports teams like the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Inter Miami, and the University of Miami Hurricanes. It is a way to acknowledge the contributions of Russell and Fabbricatore in building the neighborhood spirit and recognizing Duffy’s Tavern as more than just a restaurant but a cherished landmark.
Duffy’s first opened in 1955 by Martin Duffy. But it might not be there for long. This honor comes a little more than a year after Russell and Fabbricatore sold the property, 2108 SW 57th Ave., and the automotive shop next to it for $4.5 million to Doral real estate agent and petroleum dealer Marwan Shihadeh.
We don’t know what he plans to do with it, but whatever development he plans will have a Duffy-esque address: 2100 Wayne Russell and Jimmy Fabbricatore Way.
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