A friend needs our help and I am making a strident appeal to anyone who is willing to rally with me around his cause. I don’t want to infer that this friend asked for my help, he did not. The friend is Gene Prescott, President of the Seaway Group which owns the Biltmore Hotel under a long term lease with the City of Coral Gables.
After another operator went bankrupt in the late 1980’s trying to revive this once endangered treasure, his Seaway Group stepped in under the same negotiated terms with the city and did a second restoration. The hotel reopened in 1992. Back then his accomplishment was hailed as heroic and he has remained a success in the ensuing 18 years.
It has become apparent that the deal that the Seaway Group inherited from the previous operators has never been the most attractive deal. In good times, it seemed to be workable. In times like the ones we have been experiencing the past couple of years, it is implausible. The Biltmore is an old building. It needs special attention. It is easy to see from the condition of the property that Seaway has provided it with that special attention. The market for the hotel has some natural challenges. It is not on the beach or downtown. It is not large enough for the bigger corporate conventions. It is in the heart of residential Coral Gables.
Nevertheless, the hotel has persevered under Seaway Group’s stewardship. It has always been receptive, generous, and community involved. Tour companies (like ours) come and go every day without ever paying a dime. They are welcomed and treated with courtesy. The hotel helps with charities, the arts and specifically with the cultural, economic and political life of Coral Gables and South Florida bringing substantial economic benefit to our City as well as the larger South Florida community.
A horrendous recession has bankrupted some of the most prestigious and internationally-known hotels in South Florida. All the while, the Biltmore has kept apace of its necessary renovations and building maintenance. Because the Biltmore is a National Historic Landmark, the Federal Government makes it clear that maintenance of the building is the City of Coral Gables’ first obligation. By extension, the Seaway Group has fulfilled the federal government’s requirement on behalf of the City of Coral Gables. But after that, there has been no extra money to go towards the obliged rent. Businessmen and families that have faced this recession know by common sense that the fundamentals come first.
Instead of offering gratitude and flexibility for all that Seaway has done for this community, they are under fire from some quarters of the City of Coral Gables. If anyone deserves more courtesy and respect, it is the stewards of our treasured National Historic Landmark; Seaway
As to my actions, I want everyone who cares about the Biltmore or even those that care because Dragonfly Expeditions cares; to tell Coral Gables to negotiate a more equitable deal with the Seaway Group. I will lead all supporters to Coral Gables City Hall on July 13th at 9am (Agenda TBD) to make our message heard on this subject. I ask that as many of you reading this as possible join me there. Politics is decided by voters. Let’s show them voters. If you are unable to attend, please consider writing the Commissioners.
Mayor, Don Slesnick
dslesnick@coralgables.com
Vice Mayor, Bill Kerdyk
wkerdyk@coralgables.com
Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers
wwithers@coralgables.com
Commissioner Maria Anderson
manderson@coralgables.com
Commissioner Raphael “Ralph” Cabrera
rcabrera@coralgables.com
City Manager, Patrick Salerno
psalerno@coralgables.com
One last footnote to this story: on June 5, 1928, the City of Coral Gables shamefully ousted George Merrick, the benevolent, visionary founder of this city from the commission of the city that he created. Again, it was hard economic times brought on by the Great Hurricane of 1926, leading to the Florida land bust and continuing into the Great Depression. Let’s hope that the Coral Gables City Commission has the wisdom to avoid repeating the mistakes of their past. Gene Prescott and Seaway have been friends in good times. I for one, stand with them in more difficult times.
Show your support by joining Friends of the Biltmore Hotel on Facebook.
Thank you, Charles for this well-written article and your “passion” for The Biltmore Family. I stand behind you and wish Mr. Prescott and The Seaway Family much success. They truly have been a strong vessel during good times and hard times.
Good luck!
Arelis Abatte
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Charles J. Kropke and others. Charles J. Kropke said: Please read our letter of support for Gene Prescott and the Biltmore Hotel. http://fb.me/CuwIZlhr [...]
Charles, you’ve written a most excellent article on a very difficult topic. The Biltmore Hotel is an incalculable asset to the community and the country. Without functioning historic sites such as Biltmore, our cultural heritage would loose a tooth from its smile. I endorse your message in Dragonfly Expeditions, and wish the Biltmore, Seaway and our community, success in working together on this effort.
They are lucky to have your support and well-spoken voice of authority. May justice prevail in favor of Seaway and Mr. Prescott!
After 18 years with the Seaway organization I retired from the hotel company in 2006. I was part of the team that entered the Biltmore in 1992 and proved that with hard work and determination, the impossible could be achieved. We promised the city commission as Gene and I stood before them that we would lead the hotel back to prosperity. This was achieved for many years through the good and the bad times. Even during the darkest hours Gene stood steadfast in his conviction that we would prevail. No one in the company worked harder to deliver the quality resort that the city deserved than Gene. It was a pleasure to stand beside him as we developed strategies to counter the growing competition in the market as well as the turbulent economic and weather related times. Now as the hotel struggles to regain its footing, the city should stand up for the efforts that have been extended on their behalf by Gene and the current executives who make up the Seaway organization. If I was still there I can assure you I would be proud to acknowledge the fact that I was a part of a team that truly has respect for the property and a never ending quest to see it succeed while helping the City Beautiful remain the crown jewel inside Dade County. As for Gene Prescott, the residents of Coral Gables should be thankful that another visionary remains committed to the task at hand. These efforts should not be taken for granted.
i am currently staying at the biltmore, and yes it is a beautiful and charming property. it does need better staff specifically the front desk area. my advice is to take advantage of the current job market to get rid of bad staff and put in place some true pro who really can service high end client such as my self. i suggest raiding the montage in beverly hill or the plaza in new york. they have 5 star staff. good luck with your endeavor the gables is a real charming spot.