Resolution 2024-33274 RESOLUTION.NO. 2024-33274
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, INITIATING THE
PROCEDURE FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION SET FORTH IN
SECTION 2.13.9 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE,
AND REQUESTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE SOUTH
SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AT 833 6 STREET AS AN
INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC SITE.
WHEREAS, the South Shore Community Center at 833 6 Street was constructed in 1970-
1975 and designed by prominent local architect Morris Lapidus in the Brutalist style of architecture;
and
WHEREAS, Lapidus also designed the Lincoln Road Mall and, Fontainebleau and Eden Roc
Hotels; and
WHEREAS, the existing building contains significant architectural features that are
characteristic of the Brutalist style of architecture including rough board form concrete, exposed
concrete blocks in a stacked bond and exposed concrete beams; and
WHEREAS, a request for designation as an individual historic site may be initiated by
Resolution of the City Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby initiate the
procedure for historic designation set forth in Section 2.13.9 of the Miami Beach Resiliency Code, for
the South Shore Community Center at 833 6 Street as an individual historic site.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1/ day of Yi(Iki''t6{2024.
Steven Meiner, Mayor
ATTEST:
77-ef SEP i 7 ZOZ4
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk '•INCORPORATED,•
Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K, Bhatt APPROVED AS TO
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez FORM AND LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J.Fernandez Cf 19
9
City Attorney !Jk Date
Agenda Item C 7 AY
Date 9-I1-24
MIAMI B
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
DATE: September 11,2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, INITIATING THE PROCEDURE FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION
SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.13.9 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE, AND
REQUESTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER
AT 833 6 STREET AS AN INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC SITE.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Please place the above Resolution on the September 11, 2024 City Commission meeting agenda.
The South Shore Community Center ("SSCC") at 833 6th Street is located within the Flamingo
Park Local Historic District and the Miami Beach Architectural District, which is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The SSCC was designed by Morris Lapidus and constructed
in 1970-1975. The SSCC is currently listed as "non-contributing" in the City's Historic Properties
Database.
The SSCC represents a very important point in time in the history of Miami Beach. It was designed
and built to address the issues of urban decline related to the City's aging population during the
1960s and 70s. This period and the issues related to the aging population have received national
attention recently in the documentary "The Last Resort' and regionally by exhibitions of
photographs from that period at History Miami and Old City Hall (Cinematheque exhibition space).
This period of Miami Beach history is also highlighted daily in MDPL tours.
The SSCC was developed jointly by the City and the federal government as a paradigm shift in
the provision of services to populations in urban settings. It was recognized nationally at the time
of its design as a model for providing services to the elderly and as a strategy to reverse the
decline of urban areas. The SSCC was highlighted in testimony before the U.S. Senate in 1971
and in the study Developments in Aging. It was also referenced at the 1971 White House
Conference on Aging.
Seven years later(November 1977), the SSCC was the site of Congressional hearings featuring
Sen. Edward Kennedy and Rep. Claude Pepper on the health care needs of the elderly. Once
again, it was cited as a model for providing community services for underprivileged and under-
represented constituencies.
There are numerous voices calling for the historic designation of this building, attached and linked.
Thanks in particular to David McKinney for his advocacy.
Pursuant to Section 2.13.9(a) of the Miami Beach Resiliency Code, the "requests for designation
of an individual historic site or district may be made to the historic preservation board by motion
of the board, the city manager, by resolution of the planning board or city commission, by any
property owner in respect to his own property, by a majority of property owners of record within a
proposed district, by resolution of the county historic preservation board, or by resolution of any
organization whose purpose is to promote the preservation of historic sites."
The Historic Preservation Board has the authority to recommend that properties be designated as
historic buildings, historic structures, historic improvements, historic landscape features, historic
interiors (architecturally significant public portions only), historic sites, or historic districts if they
are significant in the historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or archeological heritage of the
city, the county, state or nation. Such properties shall possess an integrity of location, design,
setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association and meet at least one of the following
criteria:
A. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the history of the city,
the county, state or nation.
B. Association with the lives of persons significant in the city's past history.
C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a historical period, architectural or design style
or method of construction.
D. Possess high artistic values.
E. Represent the work of a master, serve as an outstanding or representative work of a
master designer, architect or builder who contributed to our historical, aesthetic or
architectural heritage.
F. Have yielded, or are likely to yield information important in pre-history or history.
G. Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
H. Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a significant concentration of
sites, buildings or structures united by historically significant past events or aesthetically
by plan or physical development, whose components may lack individual distinction.
ANALYSIS
The South Shore Community Center is highly characteristic of the Brutalist style of architecture.
and the original building layout had three parts:
• A symmetrical 2-story central volume containing offices at the ground level and activity
rooms at the second level;
• A 1-story auditorium wing to the west; and
• A 1-story recreation wing to the east.
Covered walkways from 6th Street lead to a concourse through which all areas of the building can
be accessed.An exterior monumental stair that wraps the central elevator tower provides access to
the second level. Below the stair is a multi-level water feature surrounded by built-in planters.
The auditorium wing constructed c.1975 features a symmetrical west facade and entrance terraces
on the south and east sides of the building. The east wing features ribbon windows with projecting
eyebrows and an expansive symmetrical glass facade that opens onto the eastern terrace. In 1977,
the second level loggia facing 6th Street was enclosed.
While significant alterations have been made to the structure over time, the building still has
distinctive architectural features and finishes including rough board form concrete finish, smooth
concrete finish, exposed concrete blocks in a stacked bond with raked joints and exposed precast
concrete beams. These elements are all characteristic of the Brutalist style of architecture.
I would like the City Commission to refer this matter to the HPB, so that the HPB may consider
whether this building would satisfy the criteria to be designated as an individual historic site.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR
ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond pursuant
to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
Yes No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Office of Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Ref: HPB— Possible Historic Site Designation —South Shore Community Center. (Bhatt)