10/07/2026
It was our great honor to represent the University of Miami before the City of Coral Gables City Commission at a vitally important moment in the shared 100-year history of these two great institutions: the approval of a new development agreement. The agreement secures for 30 years the future growth and development of the University’s Coral Gables Campus. As part of the same agreement, the City secured the addition of its newest and largest public park, Centennial Park, over five acres of beautiful, peaceful, passive park space that serves as a buffer between the University and its residential neighbors.
Our Founding Partner Jeffrey Bass led the comprehensive legal and regulatory effort that resulted in unanimous approval by the City Commission. Our work included drafting and successfully advocating for amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, changes to the Future Land Use and Zoning Maps, and amendments to the Campus Master Plan. Collectively, these entitlements provide the University with the continued ability to plan for, and invest in, the development of its Coral Gables Campus as one of the preeminent academic institutions in the country. The agreement allows the University to develop 10.5 million square feet and authorizes the development of a 100-bed hospital on the Coral Gables campus. By doing so, the agreement furthers the relationship between higher education, medical research, clinical services, and community healthcare. It also provides added flexibility for the development of future services to further support our students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors
“Today is absolutely a historic day when you look at George Merrick’s original plan, and you think 100 years later, and you hold up what we have today versus what was envisioned then, and you take a moment to pause,” Jeff told the City Commission. “For Merrick, the University was the most important achievement of his legacy.”
These approvals continue decades of work by Jeff on the legal and planning framework between the University of Miami and the City of Coral Gables. Jeff also represented the University in connection with the comprehensive development framework adopted in 2010 for the Coral Gables Campus.
This work reflects a core component of Bass Law’s practice in Florida land use, zoning, development, entitlements, real estate, and local government law.
