Committee

Some 165 merchants in Coconut Grove's central commercial zone voted to designate their area a business improvement district including parts of Main Highway, Grand Avenue, McFarlane Road and Southwest 27th Avenue, plus a number of side streets.

Of 264 businesses, 37 voted ''no'' in a Nov. 21 meeting; 62 didn't vote at all.

The merchants will build up a fund for services they can't get from the city, such as trash pickup on weekends and extra security.

''This is one of the most significant things to happen to the business community in Coconut Grove,'' said David Collins, head of the area's Business Improvement Committee, on Tuesday.

H. Bredemeier of H & H Jewels on Main said Wednesday that the lack of such a district has held back the Grove's commercial core while Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Miami's downtown district and South Beach have grown economically with special taxing zones.

''I have a great deal of affection for the Grove, so I'm thrilled,'' added Bredemeier, who has been in the area 23 years. ``We should have done this eight or nine years ago.''

The Grove's Business Improvement Committee formed in 2004 to push for legislation allowing a fund for extra services.

Participation in the district could benefit smaller businesses that might not be able to afford extra services on their own.

Collins said that, in his research, he has found businesses have set up about 1,500 similar districts across the country.

Merchants will decide together how much they will pay and how to use the tax. Collins said it will likely be 26 cents per square foot of building area in core retail, offices and restaurants and 15 cents for the offices at the district's edges.

''We are very optimistic that this will be an asset to the property and the Grove as a whole,'' said Ed Prilaz, manager of the Mayfair mall, on Friday.

The city clerk certified the election results Monday. The vote will be ratified at the city commission meeting on Dec. 11.

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