Coral Gables

Downtown Controversy

Condo residents complain about downtown noise

By Stephanie Rodriguez

Fernanda Wonderley, a two-year resident of Ten Aragon Condominiums, was concerned about noise and drunken behavior outside of Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, a bar underneath her 174-tenant complex.

“I wanted to try to get the commissioners’ support and hope they wouldn’t give them any more permits for festivals,” Wonderley said. “They disrespect the noise ordinance and the last call for alcohol law.”

Wonderley said she has repeatedly called the police, but they have not taken action.

“They support the bar owners and do nothing about it,” she said. “It’s disturbing as taxpayers that we have to deal with something that’s morally wrong and corrupt.”

The bar is allowed to sell liquor until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, but it can only play music until midnight on those days and until 11 p.m. on Sundays.

However, police said they haven’t seen anyone breaking any laws. “We just see people sitting by tables outside talking,” Police Chief Michael Hammerschmidt said.

While the entire City Commission agreed that the city must enforce its noise ordinance and after-hours alcohol policy, Commissioners Maria Anderson and Rafael Cabrera said some downtown noise is reasonable. “The reality is that if you choose to live in a downtown area you’re going to be hearing drunks,” Cabrera said. “When you move to downtown San Francisco you expect the trolley to go all night.”

Anderson suggested creating an outreach program for downtown Gables residents.

“We need to have nightlife in the downtown area,” Anderson said. “The reality is that there are going to be changes and inconveniences that come up for everyone in the city. There’s construction going on in the area where I live and I have to deal with the sound of tractors and other machines.”

But Mayor Donald Slesnick said the city should consider restricting outside dining past midnight. Cabrera disagreed, adding that the restaurant was established long before Ten Aragon was constructed four years ago.

“The situation isn’t going to go away,” Anderson said, “especially with the mixed-use project coming on 55 Merrick Way.”

Wonderley, though, said the noise goes on far beyond midnight. “I’m four months pregnant and I just don’t want to deal with drunk people screaming and shouting at 3 a.m.,” she said. “There are also motorcycles outside and they are drinking and driving, speeding and taking stop signs.”

Her neighbor, Martina Ardulovitch, said the festival interferes with her work. “My husband and I had work we needed to get done and we had to stay in a hotel,” said Ardulovitch, one of 20 neighbors who complained to the property manager about the noise.