99-23169 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 99-23169
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE AND
CONTRIBUTIONS TO FLORIDA MADE BY STIL TSVILLE,
RECOMMENDING THAT STILTSVILLE NOT BE
DEMOLISHED AS PRESENTL Y REQUIRED AND BE
RECONSIDERED FOR ENTRY INTO THE NATIONAL
REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AS STRONGL Y
RECOMMENDED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
STATE.
WHEREAS, since the 1930's Stiltsville, seven wooden framed houses resting above shallow
water approximately one mile from nearest land, has provided cultural and historical significance
to South Florida and the United States; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville has profound historical significance as its Quarter Deck Club, built
in the 1940's was featured in Life Magazine in 1941 and NOAA aerial photography in 1945
documents the Stiltsville district to be over 50 years old; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville has provided a cultural and historic source of pride for South Florida
residents and visitors who identify with this well-known Florida landmark symbolizing the old
Miami and the Miami of today; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville homes are used for navigational guidance and shelter during storms
by the general boating public; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville serves as a sanctuary for the sea and plant life ecosystem and has
been linked to its continued survival; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville has substantially contributed to South Florida's civic, educational
and tourist activities as the remaining seven homes of Stiltsville have been an integral part of the
South Florida Historic tours; and
WHEREAS, South Floridians have for years depended on the usage of Stiltsville homes for
private, public and community activities to benefit the local area; and
WHEREAS, Stiltsville's unique design has served as backdrop scenery for many television
shows, movies, books, and advertisements including the popular "Miami Vice" and Carl Hiaasen's
"Skin Tight"; and
WHEREAS, since Hurricanes Donna, Betsy and Andrew ravaged South Florida, only seven
of twenty-five precious homes constitute Stiltsville; their owners and supporters are committed to
preserve this historic treasure; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission recognize the historic significance and contributions to Florida made by Stiltsville,
recommend that Stiltsville not be demolished as presently required by the Biscayne National Park,
the National Park Service and the Department ofInterior, and will work to secure that Stiltsville be
reconsidered by Biscayne National Park, the National Park Service and the US Department of
Interior for entry into the National Register of Historic Places as strongly recommended by the
Florida Department of State.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 12th day of May, 1999.
~~
MAYOR
ATTEST:
~~f~
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & lANGUAGE
& fOR EXECUTION
~~
rYlfl
Date
05/04/99 15:16 FAX 2022255620
Con. Ileana Ros-Leh~lnen
~OOl
PLEASE RESPO ~o TO!
CJ ~160 fI~ ~U"N BUILDING
W~INGT IN, OC 2051~918
12fJ '1226-3931
FAll ( \'I~l U5-S620
COMMITTEES:
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
GOVERNMENT FlEFORM
Q!AlIl:
SUBCOMMITTEe ON
1l"J~RNATIONAL ECONOMIC
pOLICY AND TRADE
Vll:~ CIolAIR:
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
WESTl!RN HEMISPHERE
(!ongre55 of t{Je Ilntteb j;ta:tt~
~Du5t ot .l\epre~tntatib e~
ILEANA ROS.LEHTINEN
,IlTll DlSTRI~. ROIllDA
o
DIS1 ~ICT OFFICE:
92'0 ;",NSET D",~
,urn 100
MU.IIII. Fl. 33173
13( II ~7$-'90Cl
F~ 1105) 275-1801
Fax Number:
Date:
To:
From:
Phone Number:
Number of Pages (including COYer Sheet): H
~gresswoman Ileana. Ros-LebtiDen
From:
_ Arturo EstopiiiaD
_ Jay o'Callaghan
~ Victor Maldonado
_ JuaB Cortiiian Garcia
_ An~io
~tlriciO TamargO
_ Piper Largent
_ Jessie Torres
Intern
Comments: /7 I j
, Vf/j t2fLscu 55 e r
L,u"IJ _ ',dl( pt e'" 5'!.- ~1fV'l..?lre LOhfJ#? i H ; () 1,
7-e, /le. tiE. .... I ~~ J1eoc'7: 'tIte efin 5.
t~ oS t.- c e; II ~r . . Agenda Ite:
Date
R. q \:>_
6-Iz..Qcr
05/04/99 15:17 FAX 2022255620
Con. IleW1Q RaG-Leht1nen
III 003
({ongregg of tfJt Wniteb ~tateI) ,
MU'bin;fOU. 11(1:20515
April 15, 1999
The Honorable Bruce Babbilt
Secrc[3I')'
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington DC 20240
Dear Mr. Secretary:
We are writing to express our opposition to the pending demolition of a historic Florida site
known as "Sti1tsville".locat~d in the Biscayne Bay Mea gf Miami. Stiltsville is a unique community
consisting of scven wood frame housc;s typic;::al}y testirtg O~ steel reinforced pilings, rising a.bove shal ow
watcr a.bout a mile from the n~aTest land. It's history dates back to the 1930s.
We are aware that the Biscayne National Park, the National Park Service and the Department [}f
Interior have made an initial decision not to el(tend the private leasehold interests for the seven
remaining Stiltsville homc5 beYOnd July. 1999, and require demolition of th.ese historic South Florid:
sites. We r~que$t your reconsideration of this decision, as well as your granting an extl."TlSiOJ1 of the
present leases within Biscayne National Park. so that they will be: preserved for future generations to
come.
Stiltsvillc not only provides a culturill and hisrorlc $OUn~e of pride for our residents, but its
inherent value extends tar beyond. this limited scope. Stiltsville serves as a sanctuary for sea and plan
life with the survival of this ecosystem hnked lO ils conlinued existence. The number of living thingl
whieh have created a niche in this area cannot simply be dismissed.
Preservation of the Stiltsville homes ('Wiltl their ~UJ"t"eIiL (lwners) will not only maintain the
ll.l~sthetic beauty of the region and continue to benefit the local wildlife, but also will continue
Stiltsville's substantia.l contribution to South florida's civic. educational and tourist activities. The
homeowners of this unique area have demonstrated theiT willingness to protect and preserve their hoT les
and the environment. as well as hosting civic groups. student organizations Glnd tou.ri$t$. If Stiltsville
were to be demolished, structures with ~u.ch use, beauty and rich arcmtectuIill dC$'SU c;Quld never- be
re;plicatcd. and this specilll opportunity fot' individuals to visit such a rare 141nclITuu'l<: would be lost to
future generations.
In just one week, StiJtsville supporters have gathered well over 10,000 signatures on a petitioT to
save this valuable community asset, which provides a great benefit to our area. and its ecology, witho\.l ,
any cost to the taxpayers.
Your assista.ncc is also requested in making lln immedia.tc appeal of the initial determination, If
the; National Register of Historic Places' denial of landmark status with a. recommendation that waul, I
grant this lQcal treasure the slatus it deserves.
To ensure that this historic district is not destroyed while: awaiting further review. we also
request that special use; permits be immediately iS5ue:d by the National Park Servic~ gnmting existitl&"
leaseholders permission to continue to occupy and maintain these historic structures.
PRINTED ON lR2EO PfJ'ER
05/04/99 15:17 FAX 2022255820
Con. Ileana Ras-Lehtinen
141 0 O~
..
.~.
-..~,.....-~...~--....
Page Two
Sincerely,
a Ros-Le tinen
Member of Congress
Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Member of Congress
~ --t ~~r
Alcee Hastings
Mc:mber of Congress
766
05/04/99 15:18 FAX 2022255620
Con. Ileana Ros-Lehtlnen
III 007
Resolution
Recognizing the significance ofStiltsvi/le to South Florida history.
Whereas since the 1930s, Stiltsville, seven wooden framed houses resting abo' .e
shallow water approximately one mile from nearest land, has provided
cultural and historical significance to South Florida and the United Sta~e i.
Whereas Stiltsville has profound historical significance as its Quarter Deck Clllb,
built in 1940s was featured in Life Magazine in 1941 and NOAA aerial
photography in 1945 documents the Stiltsville district to be over 50 yew s
old.
Whereas Stiltsville has provided a cultural and historic source of pride for Sou h
Florida residents and visitors who identify with this well-known Florida
landmark symbolizing the old Miami and the Miami of today.
Whereas Stiltsville homes are used for navigational guidance and shelter durin ~
stOnDS by the general boating public.
Whereas Stiltsville serves as a sanctuary for the sea and plant life ecosystem ar d
has been linked to its continued survival.
Whereas StiltsviIJe has substantiaHy contributed to South Florida.'s civic,
educational and tourist activities as the remaining seven homes of
Stiltsville have been an integral part of the South Florida Historic tours.
Whereas South Floridians have for years depended on the usage of Stiltsville
homes for private, public and community activities to benefit the local
area.
767
05/04/99 15:18 FAX 2022255620
Con. Ileana Ros-Lehtlnen
~ooa
Whereas Stiltsville unique design has served as backdrop sceI)ery for many
television shows, movieSJ books, and advertisements including the pOpl.: lar
"Miami Vice" and Carl Hiaasen ~ s "Skin Tight."
Whereas since Hurricanes D()~ Betsy and Andrew ravaged South Florid~
only seven of twenty-five precious homes constitute Stiltsville; their
owners and supporters are committed to preserve this historic treasure:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by
. that the
(1) recognizes the historic significance and contributions to Florida mad ~
by StiltsvilIe.
(2) recommends that Stiltsville be not demolished as presently requited )y
the Biscayne National Park, the National Park Service and the Department of
Interior.
(3) will work to secure tha.t Stiltsville be reconsidered by Biscayne
National Park, the National Park Service and the US Department of Interior fo.
entry into the N ationaJ Register of Historic Places as strongly recommended b~ '
the Florida Department of State.
2
768