Coral Gables is moving ahead with a $5 million Richard Serra sculpture. The City Commission voted 4-1 on Oct. 27 to approve Resolution 2026-301, which lets City Manager Peter Iglesias negotiate and sign a deal with the seller, Tresart Inc., for the work called Fin.

Commissioner Melissa Castro cast the only no vote. Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioners Ariel Fernandez and Richard Lara voted yes, according to Coral Gables Today. The vote went against the city's Cultural Development Board, which recommended denial 4-2 on Oct. 20.

"What we have here is another opportunity to bring a world class artwork to the city," Lago said, as quoted by Coral Gables Magazine. Castro said residents she talked to didn't like the piece, the magazine reported.

What the city is buying

Fin is a curved wall of hot-rolled steel. It stands more than 14 feet high and 18 feet wide, but it is only 3 inches thick, and it tilts slightly backward. Coral Gables Magazine reports it weighs 18 tons and comes from the 11th-floor sky lobby of a New York office building.

Serra died in 2024. His giant steel arcs and walls stand in cities around the world.

Who pays, and what is still unknown

The $5 million cap covers the sculpture, packing and delivery. It comes from the Art in Public Places fund, including $118,801 in interest the fund earned this budget year and a public art payment from the City Hall renovation, the resolution says.

The foundation, installation, lighting, signs and landscaping will be paid for separately. A conservation team will set the yearly upkeep cost after the piece is installed. The arts board warned that the price would use up all the money now in the fund.

Iglesias can walk away if key terms aren't met. City staff must inspect the sculpture in person, and the seller must provide more records on its past owners and any liens, Coral Gables Today reported. Our preview of the vote lays out the arts board's objections in full.

Where it would go

The planned home is a new downtown park at Salzedo Street and Almeria Avenue, being built with the Regency Parc development. Until that park opens, the city would keep Fin in storage.

Also decided Tuesday

Commissioners voted 5-0 to finalize the lease and the city's $450,000 share of a $1.425 million second screen at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, Coral Gables Magazine reported. The cinema draws about 60,000 visitors a year.

It was Fernandez's last meeting. He did not run again in the Nov. 3 city election. You can watch the full meeting on the city's video archive.