Met Square Archaeological Case Studies February 7, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Purpose 2. Background a. Archaeological and Historical Significance of Site b. Timeline of Archaeological Excavation c. Permitting and Archaeological Approvals d. Tenant Agreements 3. Case Study Narratives and Diagrams a. No Preservation b. Relocation c. Redesign d. Complete Preservation e. Public Bonus 4. Comparison Matrix 5. Appendices a. Florida Division of Historical Resources Letter of Technical Assistance b. HEPB‐2002‐68 Backup Documents c. HEPB‐2004‐48 Backup Documents d. Warrant 13‐0013 Final Decision e. Tenant Lease Agreement Memo f. Currently Designed Floor Plans and Elevations of Met Square project g. Proposed Structural Piles Overlaid on Survey of Archaeological Features h. Comparable Archaeological Sites and Development Projects Page 1 of 39 2/7/14 PURPOSE In the fall of 2013, a significant archaeological discovery was made at 300 SE 3rd Avenue in Downtown Miami on the site of the planned Met Square development. The foundations of a Tequesta village were discovered intact, carved into the limestone bedrock along Miami’s ancient shoreline. In response to this discovery, the City of Miami has worked closely with the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Miami‐Dade County, the developer, MDM, and the project archaeologist, Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc., to determine the most appropriate future for the site. The following exercise has been conducted by the City of Miami at the suggestion of the Florida Division of Historical Resources in their letter dated November 4, 2013, “Re: Request for Technical Assistance, Significant Archaeological Discovery in City of Miami,” which stated: The City, in consultation with the landowner, developer, consultants, and advisors, should produce a case study that examines the feasibility and appropriateness of the following options: 1. Complete preservation of the site 2. Modification of development plans to allow for preservation and interpretation 3. Remove and appropriately relocate and interpret a portion of the site 4. Complete destruction of the site as the result of as‐planned development The complete letter from the State of Florida can be found in Appendix A. This Case Study document is intended to provide background for stakeholders and for the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEPB) when weighing the options available for the future of the Met Square site. Page 2 of 39 2/7/14 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SITE The Met Square site is located on Miami’s prehistoric shoreline, where the Miami River once met Biscayne Bay. This site has always been prime real estate in Miami. The first written accounts of Spanish explorers in South Florida note that a Tequesta village was located at the mouth of the Miami River and was one of the largest Native American settlements in South Florida, dating as far back at 2,000 years. During the Seminole War, Fort Dallas and military encampments were set up at this site for defensive purposes. In 1896, the year that Miami was incorporated and Henry Flagler brought the Florida East Coast Railroad to town, the Royal Palm Hotel, Miami’s first mega‐project, was constructed on this site, taking advantage of its striking views and cooling breezes. By a fluke of circumstance, the site has laid dormant for over eighty years as a parking lot; nothing has been built here since the Royal Palm Hotel was demolished in 1937. As a result, an unusual amount of features and artifacts associated with Miami’s earliest settlements is preserved in place on this site. As part of archaeological excavations taking place on the site in preparation for new development, thousands of postholes have been discovered on the Met Square site, many of which are part of larger structural features, including at least six (and possibly eight or more) circular building foundations and many linear alignments possibly representing boardwalks or structures. These circular features and linear alignments likely represent the foundations of the Tequesta settlement documented by Spanish explorers, but dating back as far as 1,500 years before European contact. These posthole features may represent the earliest preserved urban plan in eastern North America. The site also contains significant historic components, specifically a well that provides evidence of the use of the parcel as part of Fort Dallas in the Second and Third Seminole Wars (1836‐1858), and the foundations of the Royal Palm Hotel (1897‐1930), Miami’s first major resort destination. According to the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources, the discovery of an extensive, well‐ preserved set of archaeological features such as those at Met Square is highly unusual in the United States. The arrangements of postholes discovered at this site are far more extensive and complex than those found at the Miami Circle several years ago. At most archaeological sites, the resource itself is destroyed as soil is removed and artifacts are taken out of context for evaluation and interpretation. The Met Square site is an exception, because the postholes carved into the limestone are permanent evidence of prehistoric Native American architecture. Additionally, the brick‐lined well from Fort Dallas and the stairs of the Royal Palm Hotel are tangible evidence of Miami’s dynamic history. The discovery at Met Square is exceptional, and it tells the story of over 2,500 years of Florida history at a single location. Given the site’s location and the archaeological materials collected from the site, it is not inappropriate to consider the area the birthplace of Miami. The remarkable design and orientation of the postholes carved into the bedrock limestone are unique in the United States, especially when placed into context with the nearby Miami Circle. The postholes likely relate to prehistoric architecture, ceremonial structures, a settlement, or all of the above. Indeed, the features at Met Square represent a pre‐European contact urban planning project, and are a rare example of prehistoric engineering. The features and artifacts discovered at this site have the potential to significantly contribute to our understanding of South Florida’s prehistory. Furthermore, the site contains the remnants of Fort Dallas, established in 1836 during the Seminole Wars, as well as components of Henry Flagler’s historic Royal Palm Hotel. Page 3 of 39 2/7/14 The site meets the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places due to the fact that it has yielded – and has the potential to yield more – information important in prehistory and history. The site may also be a candidate for designation as a National Historic Landmark, because it possesses exceptional value in illustrating and interpreting the history of the United States. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. Finally, the site may qualify for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value. There are currently eight Cultural Properties on the World Heritage List in the United States. The oldest cultural site is Mesa Verde, which dates back to the 6th Century A.D. Other Cultural Properties in the United States include Mesa Verde National Park, Independence Hall, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico, Statue of Liberty, Chaco Culture, Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and Taos Pueblo. Background: Significance: Overall view of site with circle features and linear alignments Page 4 of 39 2/7/14 Background: Significance: Illustration of the circular features and linear alignments discovered as of February 7, 2014. Page 5 of 39 2/7/14 Background: Significance: Foundations of the Royal Palm Hotel, located in dedicated right‐of‐way along SE 3 Street Page 6 of 39 2/7/14 Background: Significance: “Middle Circle” and linear alignments Background: Significance: View of site showing rocky outcroppings of the ancient shoreline of the Miami River where it met Biscayne Bay Page 7 of 39 2/7/14 Background: Significance: View of converging linear alignments Background: Significance: Post holes forming the “3rd Avenue Circle” showing a conch shell in situ. The Tequesta likely used sharpened conch shells to cut the post holes into the limestone. Page 8 of 39 2/7/14 PERMITTING AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL APPROVALS Development at the Met Square site is currently conducted in accordance with three major archaeological approvals, which include Resolution HEPB‐2002‐68, Resolution HEPB‐2004‐48, and Warrant 13‐0013. City Commission Resolutions approving the Major Use Special Permits for this project have reiterated these archaeological requirements. City of Miami Preservation Ordinance The City of Miami Preservation Ordinance is intended, in part, to protect and enhance archaeological resources that “represent distinctive elements of the city’s historic, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, aesthetic, and architectural heritage,” as well as to “foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past,” and to “promote the use of historic resources…and archaeological sites for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the city.” HEPB‐2002‐68 In response to a substantial modification to Major Use Special Permit (MUSP) Application 2002‐069, and in accordance with the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan, Chapter 23, and the Downtown Development of Regional Impact: Downtown Miami Archaeological Management Plan, a Special Certificate of Appropriateness for ground‐disturbing activity at 200 SE 2 Street, 200 SE 3 Street, and 300 SE 3 Street was submitted to the HEPB in November 2002. The “Miami One Archaeological Management Plan” and the staff report is located at the back of the report in “Appendix B,” and the resulting HEPB resolution is below. A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR GROUND‐DISTURBING ACTIVITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR A SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION TO A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT (MUSP) FOR PARCELS B, C AND D OF THE ONE MIAMI PROJECT (APPLICATION NO.