LTC 172-2004 Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.
m
Subject:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez '\ ".r ~
City Manager 0 '
MIAMI BEACH AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Date: July 9,2004
To:
From:
The purpose of this LTC is to update the Mayor and City Commission on the status of the
City's pursuit of a National Heritage Area (NHA) Designation, which was discussed at the
February 25,2004 Commission meeting. A follow-up discussion ofthis effort will take place
at the July 28, 2004 City Commission meeting.
A National Heritage Area is a region in which residents, businesses, and local governments
have joined together to conserve and celebrate heritage and special landscapes. I n these
areas, the culture and history shape the landscape. Each heritage area is a settled
landscape that tells the story of its residents, where the land and the local environment
have shaped traditions and cultural values in the people who live there. A place where the
resident's use of the land has created and sustained a landscape that reflects their
cultures. This program does not involve Federal regulation of private property.
The management entity for the area may be a local governmental agency, a nonprofit
organization, or even an independent Federal commission. The National Park Service
provides technical assistance and funding assistance for an undetermined number of years
following the designation. Programs in the heritage area include tours, museums and
festivals, and are coordinated volunteer efforts overseen by the management entities.
Designation of a National Heritage Area in Miami Beach will require a Congressional
designation. The steps include:
1. Completion of a feasibility study
2. Public involvement in the feasibility study
3. Demonstration of widespread public support among heritage area residents for
the proposed designation
4. Commitment to the proposal from key constituents, which may include
governments, industry, and private, nonprofit organizations, in addition to local
residents.
Pursuit of a National Heritage Area designation for Miami Beach will require partnership
between many organizations and agencies at the local, regional, state and federal levels,
including: the City of Miami Beach, cultural and historic preservation organizations, the
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Florida, the Florida Department of
State, the US Department of the Interior, Chambers of Commerce, neighborhood and
homeowners associations, museums, schools, business districts, and individual business
owners and residents.
Three key components of the National Park Service review will be:
1. A local commitment to get resources
2. A grassroots effort, rather than simply a government initiative
3. Desire to implement the project with or without federal designation or funding.
Successful designation of Miami Beach as a National Heritage Area will require a two-
pronged approach: Political and Organizational.
The political efforts will include strong support of the concept at the federal, state, and
regional levels. This includes both elected officials (Congressional representatives, state
legislators, county commissioners), and administration (Parks, Historic Preservation,
Cultural agencies at the federal, state and county level). The City's state and congressional
representatives have already indicated their support, as have State tourism and historic
preservation officials. Additionally, the National Park Service, which administers the
program, has already indicated interest in the concept of a National Heritage Area in Miami
Beach. One charge of the Task Force will be to build on and expand this regional, state
and national support.
The organizational effort consists of three subcategories:
1. Inventory/Asset Analysis (natural, cultural, and historic resources)
2. Development of Themes (history, evolution & progress, national significance)
3. Confluence of cultures (a story that's not being told, and/or, a story that can only
be told in Miami Beach.
At the February 25, 2004 City Commission meeting, the Administration was directed to
return to the Commission with the appropriate charge/mission for a NHA Task Force, as
well as suggestions on categories for appointments to the task force.
The Administration recommends that the following Task Force mission and composition:
Mission
The Miami Beach National Heritage Area Task Force is a group of residents,
businesses, and not-for-profits who are committed to working together to educate all
who live, work, or visit Miami Beach about the area's natural, historic, and cultural
resources, which, along with its people, have created a unique landscape and
identity that, since its earliest beginnings through today, has been and continues to
be an important part of the national heritage.
Specific Tasks
. Review existing assets and inventory new assets and resources.
. Designation of boundaries.
. Develop themes that tell the unique story of Miami Beach.
. Determine the scope of services for a consultant to prepare the feasibility study,
if one is needed, and identify funding for the study preparation and presentation.
. Complete the feasibility study.
. Increase support of the Miami Beach NHA application by regional, state and
national agencies, organizations and elected officials.
. Recommend structure of continuing management entity.
Organizations
Miami Design Preservation League
Dade Heritage Trust
Greater Miami CVB
CulturaIOrganization{s)
Individuals
Local/regional historian
Local resident{ s)
Local business owner{s)
Local open space/environmental advocate
Local architect
On July 28, 2004, the Mayor and City Commission will consider a resolution authorizing the
Administration to continue pursuing National Heritage Area designation. Additionally, the
Administration will present a recommendation for membership ofthe proposed Task Force
at the same time.
If you have a recommendation of an individual to serve on the Task Force, or any other
questions and/or comments about this project please do not hesitate to contact me.
JMG/CKift/kc
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