LTC 441-2024 HISPANIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - UNVEILING OF DESI ARNAZ MARKERMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
NO.LTC#441-2024 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor Steven Mein::_:1d 7mbers of the City Commission
Ratael E.Granado,ciy cerk /X]
October 2,2024
HISPANIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE -UNVEILING OF DESI ARNAZ MARKER
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC)is to notify the Mayor and City Commission
of the following upcoming celebration:
Known for his timeless TV catchphrases like "Lucy,I'm home"and "Lucy,you got some
'splainin'to do,"beloved entertainer Desi Arnaz will be honored by the City of Miami Beach
nearly 90 years after the Cuban immigrant got his big break at a nightclub on Collins Avenue.
The marker will be unveiled on Tuesday,October 15,during a 4 p.m.ceremony in Collins
Park (2200 Liberty Ave.)the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month and the 73°anniversary
of the "I Love Lucy"premiere on October 15,1951.Together with Lucille Ball,his wife of 20
years,the couple won the hearts of America in what became the country's most popular
television show of its time.
The Hispanic Affairs Committee is pleased that this event is taking place.
(L TC attached showing support from the Committee).
cc:Members of the Hispanic Affairs Committee
REG/lh
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
NO.LTC#060-2023 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
Rafael E.Granado,City Cler~
February 8,2023 1
HISPANIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MOTION
Placement of State of Florida Historical Marker in Collins Park Neighborhood in
Honor of Desi Arnaz
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC)is to inform the Mayor and City Commission
of the following Motion passed by the Hispanic Affair Committee at their January 12,2023
meeting after a presentation made by Ms.Deborah Tackett,Historic Preservation &
Architecture Officer -Planning and Zoning Department reference the Placement of a State of
Florida Historical Marker in the Collins Park Neighborhood in honor of Desi Arnaz.(See
Memorandum attached).
Members present:
Gabriel Paez,Rosary Plana Falero,Liliana Martinez,Carmen Datorre,Gustavo Briand,and
Atiosis Blanco
Members absent:
None
Staff Present:
Leonor Hernandez,Committee Liaison
MOTION:
Motion to recommend in favor of placing the marker within the Collins Park Neighborhood.
Further,that the marker be placed within the Liberty Avenue pedestrian plaza as the first
preference subject to the final review of the State of Florida,with the second preference being
the northwest corner of Collins Park.The Committee also recommended that text of the
marker be refined to include a more site-specific reference.
Motion made by:Carmen Datorre
Motion seconded by:Rosary Plana Falero
Unanimously approved by all members present.
cc:Marcia Monserrat
Members of the Hispanic Affairs Committee
REG/lh
MIAMI BEACH
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
Chairperson and Members
Hispanic Affairs Committee
Deborah Tackett
Historic Preservation &Architecture Officer
DATE January 12,2023
SUBJECT :Discussion:Placement of State of Florida Historical Marker in Collins Park
Neighborhood in honor of Desi Arnaz
HISTORY
On September 14,2022,at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez,the City Commission
referred the discussion item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee
(Item C4 M).On October 19,2022,the discussion was deferred to the November 30,2022
meeting.
At the November 30 PSNQLC meeting,this item was discussed and concluded,and sent to the
full City Commission.The Administration was directed to conduct outreach to the following
organizations,and provide a recommendation to the City Commission on a location for the
proposed historic marker in the Collins Park area:
1.Miami City Ballet
2.Bass Museum
3.Hispanic Affairs Committee
4.Collins Park Neighborhood Association
BACKGROUND
Desi Arnaz was born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha on March 2,1917,in Santiago,Cuba.
His father was a prominent physician,a wealthy landowner,and a popular senator.Batista's
Cuban Revolution forced Desi and his father to flee to Miami (his mother would arrive later)where
the penniless 17-year-old arrived unable to truly speak,read,or understand English.Remarkably,
despite their reversal of fortune,neither he nor his father gave up hope.For Desi,that meant
cleaning canary cages for 25 cents each,helping his dad lay tile in Miami Beach homes,and
struggling to save money by sleeping on cots shoved in the back of a warehouse on SW Third
Avenue.A family friend and fellow refugee helped Desi enroll at St.Patrick Catholic School.Over
time,he improved his English,learned guitar and the conga drum,and assimilated into his
adopted home.
In 1937,Arnaz met Bobby Kelly,son of entrepreneurial restaurateur 'Mother'Kelly,who was then
opening a 200-seat nightclub as an addition to the Park Avenue Restaurant.Promising Kelly an
orchestra,Desi was hired for a two-week engagement.At the nightclub's December 30,1937
premiere,the 20-year-old had been so desperate for work he didn't reveal his orchestra was really
just a handful of musicians who couldn't play the Latin rhythms Arnaz had promised.
Remembering his childhood in Santiago where a hypnotic rhythm was played at city-wide parties
Hispanic Affairs Committee
Discussion:Desi Arnaz Historical Marker
January 12,2022 Page 2 of3
that stretched from dusk to dawn,Arnaz quickly taught the musicians to play a cadence of 'One-
two-three-KICK!'Arnaz beat his conga drum in time,shouted to the audience to follow him and
above this primal rhythm he proceeded to dance everyone around the bar,out the door,around
the block and back into the nightclub.What Arnaz called his 'Dance of Desperation'launched 'The
Conga Craze'in America.Even more significantly,the ensuing publicity raised his profile and led
him first to Broadway and then to Hollywood where he met the love of his life,Lucille Ball with the
two becoming the proud parents of Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz,Jr.,to his own orchestra,the
production and ownership of 'I Love Lucy',and the couples'purchase of RKO Studios.
ANALYSIS
The proposal to introduce a State of Florida Historical Marker was spearheaded by Gary
McKechnie,a resident of Mount Dora,Florida.Mr.McKechnie learned of the incredible
accomplishments of Desi Arnaz and submitted a nomination to the State of Florida for a historical
marker honoring the entertainer.On May 24,2022,the State of Florida Historical Marker Council
met in Tallahassee and unanimously approved the nomination.
While the location of Mr.Arnaz's performances was initially believed to be at the Park Central
Hotel on Ocean Drive as referenced in Mr.Anaz's memoir,A Book,by Desi Arnaz,after further
research it has been concluded that the actual location of the nightclub was at 339 22 Street
(the former Park Avenue Restaurant),the current site of the Miami City Ballet.A copy of the
original building permit card for 339 22"Street and a Miami Herald advertisement for the La
Conga nightclub are attached,for informational purposes.
Given the documentation identifying the intersection of Park Avenue and 22 Street as the site of
La Conga nightclub,the most appropriate location for the marker would be somewhere in the
Collins Park Neighborhood near the Miami City Ballet building.The Administration has identified
two possible areas for the installation of the plaque,as noted on the attached map,and
summarized hereto:
Option One -Collins Park
Option one would be to introduce the marker within the green space at the northwest corner of
Collins Park adjacent to the south side of 22 Street.This location is closest to the former La
Conga nightclub and installation would not require the removal of any paved areas.
Option Two -Liberty Avenue Plaza
Option two is within the Liberty Avenue pedestrian plaza adjacent to the north side of 22 Street.
This location will likely have a much higher volume of pedestrian activity,allowing for more public
appreciation.However,it may require the removal or modification of paved areas.
The Administration's preferred location is Option Two which will afford a greater public benefit.As
the final location is subject to the approval of the State,the Administration would recommend the
Commission also endorse Option One as an alternate location in the event the State does not
approve the marker to be placed within the Liberty Avenue plaza.
Each marker is made of cast aluminum with a black background and white lettering,as well as a
white Florida Heritage emblem.The markers come with a 7'-0"concrete post and have a text
area of 30"by 42".
The verbiage previously approved by the State of Florida Historic Marker Council is as follows:
Hispanic Affairs Committee
Discussion:Desi Arnaz Historical Marker
January 12,2022 Page 3 of 3
Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha was born into wealth and privilege in Santiago,Cuba.After
the Cuban Revolution of 1933 forced his family to flee to Miami,the teenage refugee lived in a
pest-ridden warehouse and earned spare change cleaning birdcages -not knowing he would one
day transform American entertainment.A turning point came at the Park Avenue nightclub in 1937
when the young bandleader realized the Latin music he knew was foreign to his pickup band.
Arnaz saved the show by beating out a tempo on his conga drum.When the band joined in,the
mesmerized audience followed Arnaz as he danced them outside and through these streets.What
Arnaz called his "Dance of Desperation"launched the "Conga Craze"in America.His endless
talent and determination led him first to Broadway and then Hollywood where he met the love of
his life,Lucille Ball.Married in 1940,they would have two children,create Desilu Productions,
achieve stardom with I Love Lucy,and purchase RKO Studios.On a 1954 TV special honoring
the couple,Arnaz reflected "From cleaning canary cages to this night...I don't think there's any
other country in the world that can give you that opportunity.I want to say thank you.Thank you,
America."
The proposal also includes the above verbiage translated into Spanish for one side of the marker.
Pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code concerning monuments and memorials,the City
Commission is required to hold a public hearing prior to final approval of the commemorative
plaque.The proposal for a commemorative plaque must be transmitted to the City Commission
with an accompanying written analysis prepared by the City Administration.
At the close of the City Commission public hearing,the approval of the proposal requires a 5/7
vote.Unless expressly provided otherwise in the City Commission Resolution approving the
historical marker,the approval shall establish the presumption that the City shall assume the costs
associated with the ongoing maintenance of the approved marker.
You're invited to the
DESI ARNAZ
HISTORIC MARKER UNVEILING CEREMONY
Tuesday,October 15
4-5pm
COLLINS PARK
2200 Liberty Avenue,Miami Beach
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ell",'in Santiago.Cuba.__After the Cuban Revolution of"l 3%his/family wasforcedtofleetoMiami.The teenage refugee live ira pest-riddenwarehouseandearnedsparechangecleaningbirdcages."Aturning pointcameatanightclubonParkAvenuein1937whenthe"young bandleader ,realized the Latin music he knew was foreign to his pickup band,/Arnaz saved the show by beating out a tempo on_·h.is conga dr·u_tr:;~,\:,;•Wh.en the band joined in..the m.esm.erized audience followed Arn~.~',V ~\1 ,dancing into neighboring streets.What Arnaz called his''Dance_R}'fj dleDesperation"Jaunc_hed_the "Co~ga Craz.e"in America.Hi_s endl ~-~1 ~~:~•talent and determination led him to Broadway_and then Hollywo'_!(i,I,kwherehemettheloveofhislife,Lucille Ball.Married in 1940,SC»"they would have two children,create Desilu Productions,achievestardomwithILoveLucy,and acquire RKO Studios.On a 1954 TV specialhonoringthecouple,Arnaz reflected ''From cleaning canary cagestothisnight...I don't think there's any other country in.the worldthatcangiveyouthatopportunity.I want to say thank you.Thank you,America.''-
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A FLORIDA HERITAGE SITE
SPONSORED BY THE FANS OF DESI ARNAZ,THE ARNAZ FAMILY,
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,GARY MCKECHNIE,
AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTeRr OF STAT
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