2000-24056 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-24056
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,
RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER,
OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO
THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
FOR A CONSULTATION GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$10,000, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSAL
SUPPORTING A MIAMI BEACH WORLD WAR II
HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT AND TO EXPLORE THE
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A NATIONAL DOMESTIC
TRAINING MUSEUM; AND TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS,
IF AWARDED.
WHEREAS, Congress created the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1965 to promote the
humanities, including human experiences that reflect our diverse heritage; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Government appropriated over 188 Miami Beach hotels and numerous City
facilities during World War II for the domestic training of its troops; and
WHEREAS, the citizens and war time residents of Miami Beach fonned a human environment that
is a significant American historical experience that is worthy of documentation and promotion; and
WHEREAS, the National Endowment for the Humanities offers $10,000 Consultation Grants to
explore new directions or projects that promote significant features of United States heritage; and
WHEREAS, the National Endowment for the Humanities allows special consideration for
applications from fifteen under served states including Florida; and
WHEREAS, exploring new avenues of cultural and heritage tourism would be beneficial to the City;
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 retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to submit an application to the
National Endowment for the Humanities, for a consultation grant, in the amount of $10,000, for the
development of a proposal supporting a Miami Beach World War II Historic Overlay District and
to explore the economic impact of a National Domestic Training Museum; and to appropriate the
funds, if awarded.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 13th DAY OF SEPTEMIJfJlf2000.
~~J PdAL,,^- MAYOR
CITY CLERK
APPROVED M. TO
FORM & lANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. &102 -00
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
DATE: September 13, 2000
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ ~
City Manager () r U
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER, OR IDS DESIGNEE, TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO
THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES, FOR A
CONSULTATION GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000, FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSAL SUPPORTING A MIAMI BEACH
WORLD WAR II HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT AND TO EXPLORE
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A NATIONAL DOMESTIC TRAINING
MUSEUM; AND TO APPROPRIATE THESE FUNDS, IF AWARDED
SUBJECT:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
By August 1943, no fewer than 188 Miami Beach hotels, 109 apartment houses and 18 private
homes had been appropriated by the federal government for use in the domestic military training and
repatriation of U.S. serviceman during World War II. The City also loaned many of its public
buildings and its municipal golf courses for training purposes. Tens ofthousands of servicemen and
their families came from allover the nation to Miami Beach. By the time the war ended, one-fourth
of all Air Force officers and one-fifth of all enlisted men had been trained in Miami Beach.
For the last few years, Dr. Judith Benson, owner of the Edison Hotel, has organized a reunion of
WWII veterans who either trained or were repatriated here. This event, Sand in Our Boots, is held
on Pearl Harbor Day and involves many other hotels and businesses. It lures not only veterans but
also military history lovers who are attracted by how preservation efforts have significantly
maintained the flavor and character of Miami Beach as it was during the war years. Also, unlike the
usual solemn tone of memorials, Miami Beach's unique role as one of the happiest times
experienced before or after military service has made it a logical location to celebrate the efforts of
our armed services within the United States during World War II.
AGENDA ITEM
C -CD
'1....13 -00
DATE
WW II DISTRICT
September 13, 2000
The City seeks the designation of a WWII Historic Overlay District, without regulatory powers, in
Miami Beach. One eventual goal will be to link the WWII residential and hotel sites together in a
walking tour with other WWII related sites such as the Holocaust Memorial, Wolfsonian, and the
Jewish History Museum. An additional goal is to locate a National World War II Domestic Training
Museum in Miami Beach.
Implementing these goals appropriately requires careful, innovative steps and necessitates an
economic impact study. A WW II district and museum could further heritage tourism, providing
adults and families with children one more reason to visit Miami Beach.
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