2008-26793 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2008-26793
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE. CO-
DESIGNATION OF 71ST STREET AS "HENRI LEVY BOULEVARD"
BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE; FURTHER SUPPORTING
AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILL 2672 AND HOUSE BILL 1465 TO
ACCOMPLISH SAID CO-DESIGNATION.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henri Levy is credited as the father of Normandy Isle, including
the plan of reclaiming the bay, city planning, including a fountain surrounded by a
plaza/park area, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Levy moved to Cincinnati from Alsace-Lorraine, France when he
was 12 years old, eventually setting in Miami Beach with his family in 1922. He
purchased land in the North Beach area, while the family settled in a house at 1030
Washington Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In addition to Normandy Isle, where Mr. Levy named the streets
after a province in his native France, he began a project known as "Normandy Beach
South" at 69d' Street and Collins Avenue, which included the area from the Ocean to the
bay and extended to 72nd Street. At the same time, he was developing the southern part
of what today is Surfside from 87"' Terrace to 90"' Street; and
WHEREAS, Henri Levy was instrumental in the establishment of the 79"' Street
Causeway, spending a great deal of time and money. in an effort to secure support from
local, state, and Federal officials, resulting in the completion of the Causeway in 1929;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA hereby support the
co-designation of 71 ~` Street as "Henri Levy Boulevard" by the Florida Legislature, further
supporting amendments to Senate Bill 2672 and House Bill 1465 to accomplish said co-
designation, and authorize the transmittal of this resolution to the Florida Legislature.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 16th day of '1, 008
Mayor atti errera Bower
A E T:
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM 8 LANGUAGE
FO . EXECUTION
__..-f, 2 t4Y
ttorn
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution supporting the co-designation of 71s Street a5 "Henri Levy Boulevard" by the Florida
Legislature; further supporting amendments to Senate Bill 2672 and House Bill 1465 to accomplish said
co-desi nation.
Ke Intended Outcome Su orted:
Ensure all historically significant structures, sites, and districts are considered for local designation.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): 66% of survey respondents believed the
City was doing the "right amount" for historic preservation.
Issue:
Should the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution and supportthe co-designalion of 71 Street
as "Henri Le Boulevard' and lacement of markers b FDOT~
Neighborhoods Committee.
According to information compiled by the Historical Association, Mr, Levy is credited as the father of
Normandy Isle, including the plan of reclaiming the bay, city planning, including a fountain surrounded by a
plaza/park area. This was one of Mr. Levy's three projects.
Section 334.071, F.S., provides for legislative designations of transportation facilities for honorary or
memorial purposes, or to distinguish a particular facility. These legislative designations do not "officially"
change the current names of the facilities, nor does the statute require local governments and private
entities to change street signs, mailing addresses, or 911 emergency telephone system number listings.
that FDOT place a marker at each terminus or intersection of an identified road or
other markers it deems appropriate for the transportation facility. The statute also
or county must pass a resolution in support of a particular designation before road
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Neighborhoods Committee. March 27, 2008: approved and forwarded to Commission.
ormation:
Financial lnf
_
Source of ~ ~ Amount Account
Funds: _
_
n!a 1
2
-
3
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
N/A
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
I
I Kevin Crowder xt. 6186
L~- -
Si n-Offs:
Department Director A ist Manag C" Man r
KC TH JMG
T.'~AGENDAt20085april~6lConsenhFleel Vehicles April Sum c.doc
m MIAMIBEACH AGENDA ITEM C7F
DATE y ~6"~~
m MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1/QC Convention Center Driva, Miami Heoch, Flonda 33139, www.miamibeachA.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Ma r`Matti ~rrera wer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: ~`Jor M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: April 16, 2008
Sus1ECr. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE CO-DESIGNATION OF 71sr
STREET AT "HENRI LEVY BOULEVARD" BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE;
FURTHER SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILL 2672 AND HOUSE
BILL 14fi5 TO ACCOMPLISH SAID CO-DESIGNATION.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
At the March 12, 2008 City Commission meeting, a request was made by June Levy
Newbauer, the daughter of Henri Levy. She explained that she has been working with State
Representative Luis Garcia to rename 71sr Street as Henri Levy Boulevard. The City
Commission referred a discussion of this item to the Neighborhoods Committee.
On March 27, 2008 the Neighborhoods Committee discussed the item and directed the
Administration to prepare a Resolution supporting the co-designation and place it on the
agenda for the April 16, 2008 City Commission meeting.
Background
According to information compiled by the Historical Association, Mr. Levy is credited as the
father of Normandy Isle, including the plan of reclaiming the bay, city planning, including a
fountain surrounded by a plazalpark area. This was one of Mr. Levy's three projects.
Mr. Levy moved to Cincinnati from Alsace-Lorraine, France when he was 12 years old,
eventually settling in Miami Beach with his family in 1922. He purchased land in the North
Beach area, while the family settled in a house at 1030 Washington Avenue.
In addition to Normandy Isle, where he named the streets after a province in his native
France, he began a project known as "Normandy Beach South" at 69"' Street and Collins
Avenue, which included the area from the Ocean to the bay and extended to 72ntl Street. At
the same time, he was developing the southern part of what today is Surfside from 87th
Terrace to 90th Street.
Mr. Levy was instrumental in the establishment of the 79`h Street Causeway, spending a
great deal of time and money in an effort to secure support from local, state, and Federal
officials, resulting in the completion of the Causeway in 1929.
Commission Memorandum - Co-designation of 77" Street
Aprii f 8, 2008
Page 2 of 3
Attached is a letter of October 2, 2007, from the Miami Beach Historical Association to
Representative Luis R. Garcia, transmitting the recommendation of the Association's Board
to pursue the renaming of 715 Street to "Henri Levy Boulevard." Additional information is
included in two newspaper articles which are attached.
City Naming Policy
In March, 1998, the Mayor and City Commission repealed policies allowing for the co-
naming orsub-naming of streets and public facilities, pursuant to the recommendation of the
Neighborhoods Committee. Subsequently, the Mayor and City Commission discussed using
historic markers as a way to recognize outstanding individuals, since excessive use of the
previous policy of renaming streets was determined to be confusing to residents and
tourists.
On April 12, 2000, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution No. 2000-23847,
approving and adopting a policy for the design and placement of plaques on public property
in the City of Miami Beach. A copy of this resolution and policy is attached.
State Legislation
Section 334.071, F.S., provides for legislative designations of transportation facilities for
honorary or memorial purposes, or to distinguish a particular facility. These legislative
designations do not "officially' change the current names of the facilities, nor does the
statute require local governments and private entities to change street signs, mailing
addresses, or 911 emergency telephone system number listings.
The statute requires that FDOT place a marker at each terminus or intersection of an
identified road or bridge, and to erect other markers it deems appropriate for the
transportation facility. The statute also provides that a city or county must pass a resolution
in support of a particular designation before road markers are erected.
During the City Commission meeting on March 12, 2008, Ms. Newbauer stated that the
designation could be done at a committee meeting in Tallahassee on the following day,
March 13. House Bill 1465, Relating to State Road Designations, was filed by
Representative Fields, and was considered by the House Tourism & Trade Committee on
March 13. At that meeting, the following language was amended onto the bill:
Section 13.
Henri Levv Boulevard designated: Deaartment of Transportation to erect
suitable markers.-
(11 That portion of 71st Street between Collins Avenue and Bav Drive in
the City of Miami Beach in Miami-Dade Counlv is designated as "Henri
Levv Boulevard. "
(2) The Department of Transportation is directed to erect suitable
markers designating Henri Levv Boulevard as described in subsection
The bill still has two councils in which to be heard, the Economic Expansion & Infrastructure
Council and the Policy & Budget Council. The Senate companion does not have the
language regarding 71$' Street in Miami Beach, and has not yet been referred to committee.
Commission Memorandum - Co-designation of 71"Street
April 16, 2008
Page3of3
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approvethe attached
resolution and further authorize the Administration to transmit the resolution to the Florida
Legislature.
JMG/HFlkc
Attachments (4)
Resolution No. 2000-23847 and related policy
October 2, 2007 Historical Association Letter
February 3, 1971 Beach Sun Article
March 14. 1999 Miami Herald Article
Staff Analysis for House Bill 1465 and March 13 Amendments to H61465
T'.'~AC,FNRA~; VU9'~Apn' i5'~C OnsenC.Henr Lary Memo.tloc
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I lorida Hous:: of Representative
Representative Lois R. Cxuclo, Jc, (.:istrct 107
1301 The Capitol
402 Sou+h Manroo Strcet
Tallahassee, H 32399 130C
Subject: RHnarniny 71 v Street ro Henri Levy Boulovard or Parkway
Honorable Represenrcrive Gordo.
The Miarni Beach Hisloricvl Asscriatien, at the Baard hhEV;ting of
Septemlx;r 2.0, 2007, voted to pursue tf,e rencming c+ 71st Sheet in
Micmi Beach to "Hamri levy Boulevard," Gam Collirs Avenue b the
entrance b the Bay Drive bridge None of this ores vrauld bH viable
today II II had not been for 'he Iar-sighlHd vision a( ane very comrnunib~
minded picaeer. Henn Levy.
Mr. levy's exploits in the northern portion of Ahiaari Beorh and Surlside
ore equally, it not more important, os the we!I known pioneers such os
Car Fisher, john S. Collins, and others. He put the Northern end of the
Becch m the map, ::rervlly. Hv has been credited wuh ceing the father
of Normandy Is:c, From the grand plan of roraim.ny the bay, to
prcducing a pedac:dy planned city. replete v+it•, a grand founlaln
surrounded by o beautiful plaza port area. Phis was ju~l ones of throe
areas dt which Mr. leery was the original developer. ~lanri levy beycx,
a project kncwr, vs "Narmardy Beach Sou+h" or opnroximately ~Arh
Street, presently Collins Avenues. This developrnem irc!uded the area
Irom the Ocean to the boy and exrer,ded r 72nd Sheol. At tho some
lime, he was dHVe3oping the southern part of tedcy's Surlside hcm B7th
Teuace 'o approximorHly 90th Street ham Collns Avonue to the boy.
He added an exclusive residential area known as Lhe hle of Biscaya ar
the fool of B7~h Tenaco,
Miami Beach Historical Associatian
?007 Bovril of Directors
President: Abraham D. Lavender, Ph.D.
VP Publicity: Laurv Jamieson
VP Programs: Dona Lemo
'treasurer: Judi Berson:evinson, Ed.D.
Secretary: Gliam Halfie~d
Mambers At Large:
Aristotle Ares
Seth Bramson
State Representatives Luis R. Garcia, Jr.
COlalyn ~fepSHr
June Newbauer
Joseph f. Patrcuch, Ph.D.
Sluarl Revd, tsq.
Life Members
Aristatle Ards
David Dermer
Luis R. Garcia, Jr,
Laura Jamieson
Abraham D. Lavvndar, Ph.0.
JudRh Berson-Levinson, Ed.D.
June Newlouer
James M. Snedigcr
By tar his areatesl con'ribution ro the Cry of Miemi Beech was his
unrlayging dr"volior, to the esrablishmem of a major wusevoy, o
condu:r to join the, northern Beach area with the Ihen nonhern Niiami
areas such ,,^s tiidech, little Rroer, anc cthor locations, rec:oynizing Thal
the only ether mojcr lints between ".liomi Beach and Abami remained
at tl,e south. end al rhn beach of Srh St:c-el and i:ade Boulevard Henn!
Levy spent a hugH amount or !irne and personally Financed a major
e9vrl v.ilh local, slcrc and federal governmontal bodies la finally
succeed in die opening of rha 14th Street Causeway in t42U, I! is
liutrrc to hove one of mr. major orreries deveiopc:rl lyy~ him be named
"Henri Levy Boulevard."
NcigtComm AOairs Committee Agenrla Alarch 26, 2006
Page a6
Pope of 2
Ahhough he passed away in 1938 ar the ywlhl«I age of 57, his
amazing capacity to bring hash ideas to o city in ;ts infancy and see
Ihem Ihra~gh la completion is Ifre mark d a real Pioneer. When he
ptedicaed in tf,a early 1900's that Florida veould be developed Irom
Key Wesl to cwt Northern Store lino, he hod doubters. The- 1426
lilt;«icane. d,e Horida lard buss, the depressiar:; none of these
disasters dere•red him ham his dream of making ts~lami $eoch c
tourist deslina6on, much like, ha childhood me:norles of French resort
cities such as Dear;vilia, Ttouvillc alc, vmich he mernariolized by
naming the straers of Normandy Isle.
This Board of IJirecrots believe it s most appropriate Ihor Iftr, City's
horiroae be kept alive by recagnlzing the lounding IalLers, the
Pianaets, whose dreams and passians shaped the suaess in the
developmem of the Swte of Florida. 1'o noa,e a Slate sheet a(te: the
man That droamed, planned and made i. come true Is o fining way ro
perpotuale Ihis hislorr.
Sincerely,
//~f > _/ '
Abraham Lavender. Ph.D., President
Nolc, Biographical facts provided by Ms. June Ne.vbaue~, Henri Le~q%s
daughter.
Ths ,LLbmi 9ecch N~sroncal As;a-+olior,, fi[. is n non}xolir orgonimnon rnco:pcrared in rhQ Store of Ronda !or thrr owpose
of prumohnl and vFm~nariny puLUc in~eresr rnid oaa~y iafior: ,fir toe a:~'s .h!;rory, preservolron c! bistw~ccf records,
an^ourcrgemenr or scho!ariy ICi;3arcr, and pub6shmg rtvur Miami Beach
NeigfComm Affairs Committee Agenda March 26, 2a08
F'ago 47
Neig+Comm Affairs CorrrnilWc Agenda A4arCh 26.2008
Page a8
THE HEIULD, SUNDAY. MARCH 14. 1989 W
[sle's restorative fountain finally restored
L Rome, thueY the Pontavu imulr>me w m¢fos tome. Ikaeh, thm blfvd $oWE lNavd, enY u"'tts try the Afiami BnrL 7'ha hue is demmtd wile
Trcvi .hew Amsa Ekbvry Tbc sand ma)' k a wothirB was au ansourlwd vmngqffovr Cb°mGer °f C°rv°I°<°• lm'kd iM^[aso silvvo-k Wat {tvex it
wka mtc- ls.<We likc•FinwWom•]nq- gtah. The T91h $srwt.Guw- Nwnandv mk uthe burgmn- lhcdiniv_t MNHermnovk»k.
ap ,n ~~~ emr. p*deq or • sur¢ivg calash any, lbe lbird cvuva-lion im ore of "a1m[ is to M au.e of U[w Eah kxD ~+'atch ort lour
iglu g wliami Brxh'a mwt aurwtive Ndn of ske upolC loww. TM
m fibs la -gyp x lk>sbausaraab of Niapia Ddwpen me maidand awl tlsl rr>,denl ul ewYieas. ftmnuro'ewNa epnnsa u0 with
~o1M 1'it,c fin{ Fags. HOCb,wu ooarlo¢wmDk++ov. .
bw \'etk 'l.~ '.~ Pwnlauu may be pr>aiCe:,m 11 vrauW brim Nodb Hncb "Throuy We hmimUVV of a pmk Yd ms`uml ftraa.
as eFr lv, ,:. ~ the paN when y~oD1o uaN to Into uour roach •lm Mmmi, avadabk tvrtltory," uatM me Uvllk< came (oumwna, au[k a6
mad b hsm to uolloct carter 'ILe deveMpewtLL d Norn~awlY ?rmnd'°Iml uli°I°• 'til u dew- th< Povlamv dm Innucenm ir.
albeada, a far driobia¢ Or wasAin¢. Svve Isle dunn< me mttm Eau' of me onN m be ooe of the loaf ypt -wis ereSN m I Sa') 1o marl
ymb olic water '2q was • nmuM Omanmc d de[elopIDenm wimin :Le dly Hmi II's triumphal msrY iU1D
+Drcsmty- aru al{ylmiwl, cavbinln¢ timilsd W<Seaco' the utY, sbe. Normandy ens
m of the ~ ~:. m a sYmbd of -wlsltalioa and m[wmtructinn of the uasr.:aY .~ ~;,m ehoaa pictures never imbuN wnb +oY wecml
sjo Y<nat- 6AAY ~ bkaNm .YCm avzlpsurW forma avd tlm wrdlY of swmi~le o(w YIm[at barrtv NmmaodY rnuvin{{.
y reprewnliv¢ hklonul rrt myth- mad. 1,IV d0[tN wish a few agttmcnt Yor close su 75 Yrws, d Imv
( Ce W N~ oYipcN mhm!i Ibe lira declli~p on th< buusca N tld tlum Uwe vam saved n u amthcti~,ally pltae-
erf'a mm- Avd roso<. Eka tbs Normandy mlmd gndNN of [ear ayv~t- mvrt a1m frees anC mad men m¢ lundtoerk fo he a ed by
voy
J Lod- PEWINU INefomr>iq amlamlmwkatWf meal beussr, Tbme, aloof wlth D
nDe --~~ siasply sYYlwme people to psbd lb[ tomlaiv, wero <onalrvded rtddwtW davdapmevu. everyday pen-le ITS a venter-
. AM Minml Seth W Wv arnwul oe a warty day 10 l+e w We rm cad d Ilu iu¢nd in A phdsopnDh O! Fowuin Viws m aau pons where pcnptc
uesurd NoambMy Irk Ftmw rtfrdsbN by Hse ursd glnahisM I?TS. RYk shows the Normandy l'ouv. ¢aeber so relas and <rdoY shem•
ua, 7vbkh vmny wan u a rym- o(autt. In11411Y sbe daroloDcrs Wv emndly¢ like • aodlmry sco- vl vcs, ,
Naf lM uvem[Wa fp tk In lbe mid-19IDs, she fmm- warned to nama lbw N[wls a.4vr rival in me midN Of newly Sn sk qu. (wmrumwrnf;o
rsq un Y aqw, quwlly at Ihr CenIK n( Netk
mUwm eoa of Miami -evrd, min oa Normandy Isb car vae goDly, bul Miamr-Uadc IPayY the fgvmin is 9aokN usd soar*ym.tm¢. Thry wde
o arts a8aa ovasMiNawd by d tM fire Nru[turta m ye bulls Coumy,. wbrh bN eoawol of by vumaous Usaincasn. A D1sm •~herc lo.cm met m
. a Kara ofgtim ld the aovtb~ N av maw tbp wm~ olm aJ the alml vamp. mseated sba idea. Nudy urnm of she pvsms ahem WHdrw weot In play.
Sixe amWrury. fountains ma to be devdopsd In Mmmi 11 was dae 0 she a>eds b t dal IIY s msulvmtk mst Paopl< would I<iw*Ny abo8
aveenbuad uk bT larowvis S<aN. woW06a. vavsrd asler F:cncd vn rasa avm thorn who have poulW Ifmm and wmcumn
Y sba P°A'° aW raWm1Y of Durin¢ Wit time, W arcs towns end provivtse, TAr D
'nstt vnW WSpWdv¢Ibmvs of n t Ibe aye d OsvcloDma ismnd's name also dten¢N fiom wen it wundea limn. cps a Mn iv to unsavlec a
mmesic dmiyt ahik astenarve eon>troelioa Sowb Ia1vW to Norm>oM Iclc. ~miyued in me MoClsema- wvh. 'I here arv lWnp pwpk
Fxm. fouvWvY wMer hm Iss cam undm way in NurW Miami TAr Larc OJ Mfarm Orm'h, nun mvvd NYk. the mll oho- Nill do kWaY.
+a tvovdneal cad wand. Tbh Snrh. Flv.. a promraionN ma¢aalnc ~ ~I s~'C cmkr resevddes a fa miv NsNmmsvdy INS the
+attt amY rmv< cairn pant Thu nosWam Psu of Mlami xa cart sn fuse IY]¢ to mr~G
rlaa~as¢
NeiglCornrn Affairs Committee Af~end9 AA9roh 2G, 2Q08
"'-Page dg._.__-__- "_
In the mid-19lUs, the fountain was one of the first structures buitt
in one of the last-developed areas ox Miami Beach.