Miami Beach Conflict P
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N T R 0 D u C T 0 N I The Miami Beach Art Deco District is our nation's most unique quickens, it threatens to alter the very essence of the community-s resort. For over fifty years, it has sustained itself as a retirement social, architectural and cultural fabric unless properly directed. and vacation community, and until recently, it remained nearly The citizens of Miami Beach have recently begun to appreciate unsurpassed in the accommodations, recreation and scenic setting the inherent attributes of their historic Art Deco District. The latent which it offered to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. potential of the District is being recognized with a conscious and enthusiastic effort to restore economic health and vitality to the area. They recognize that the District will be unable to attract its All of South Florida is currently experiencing intense development potential share of the strong regional tourist market if positive pressuries because of its ideal climate and seaside environment, action is not taken to reverse the trends of physical deterioration and the Art Deco District is no exception. Land values in the and neglect. They also recognize that the architectural richness District are high, especially for oceanfront property, and the and quality of their community make it a very special place. effects of uncontrolled new development have already become apparent in demolition and insensitive new construction. In some The time has arrived for a full-fledged Preservation and Develop areas, new development has been sensitive to the historic integrity ment Plan to focus this new energy in directions which will most of the District. However, as the development momentum effectively accomplish the goals of preservation and revitalization. STUDY 0 RIG IN The movement to save Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival in 1980, funding commitments were made by the City of Miami architecture in the Miami/Miami Beach area began in 1976 with Beach, Metropolitan Dade County, the Florida Department of the formation of the non-profit Miami Design Preservation State, Division of Archives, History and Record Management and League. This group of artists, interior designers and others in the National Endowment for the Arts. Jointly, these agencies terested in local design actively organized to have .the Miami agreed to fund this Preservation and Development Plan. Beach Architectural District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This goal was accomplished in 1979, making the area the youngest National Register Historic District in the nation. This report represents the culmination of an eight-month planning process. Careful analysis of the District's architectural, social and The development of a preservation master plan for the District economic characteristics by the consultants as well as periodic which would recognize and promote preservation and rehabilita brainstorming sessions held with local public and private interests tion became the next step for the League. As preservationists, the resulted in the formation of this dramatic and implementable group was concerned with the unique architectural environment Preservation and Development Plan. This document presents the of the District, but it was also devoted to directing development study's major conclusions and proposals and seeks to call signifi pressures into projects which would have a positive impact on the cant national attention to the District and to spark public and housing, social and economic needs of the community. The private interest in the area's future potential. Supporting docu League responded by seeking public monies to contract for a mentation and traditional planning data can be obtained from the master plan for preservation and revitalization of the District. Early Miami Design Preservation League or the consultants. GO AL S 0 F THE PLAN The goals of this Plan were identified in the initial planning stage as 2. To encourage sensitive rehabilitation of the historic and archi a means to establish a dialogue and sense of mutual commitment tecturally significant buildings, in accordance with the recom between the League, the City and the consultants. Five overall mendation of the Preservation and Development Plan. goals were identified: 3. To offer development incentives for private investments in 1. To preserve and enhance the historic architecture and tropical rehabilitation and new construction which are compatible with setting of the District, capitalizing on its rich history and archi the visual integrity of the District and to create a healthy tectural heritage, promoting public awareness, and creating a economic environment, reinforcing existing uses and identifi dynamic mixed-use environment. able needs while also expanding tourist-convention amenities. 4. To provide guidelines for housing and services which support 5. To develop a joint commitment between the City, public agen the identified needs of the District's population, especially the cies, preservation and civic groups, property owners and the elderly. local financial community in order to accomplish these preser vation and development objectives . SUMMARY 0 F THE PLAN The Preservation and Development Plan is scheduled for .imple feature Art Deco specialty boutiques and an outdoor museum mentation over the next ten years. During this period, a total of of Deco artwork . approximately $33 million in public commitments is projected to generate up to five times as much in private expenditures for a • Rehab~itation of seasonal hotels in the museum area for hous total investment of at least $198 million, thousands of new employ ing and creation of an artists and writers enclave in this area. ment opportunities and a fully revived and healthy economy for Commercial focus will be nightclubs and entertainment. Miami Beach.The Plan calls for a phased effort which begins in the Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue target area • Upgrading of large Collins Avenue hotels to serve an expanded and gradually extends to other areas of the District. tourist market. Key elements of the Plan are: • Development of a large scale, mixed-use retail/hotel/marketing trade center as a central focal point of the District with dramatic • Upgrading of the Ocean Drive hotels as tourist facilities wit~ public spaces. ~ ground floor restaurants and tourist services fronting on an Art Ii: Deco and Mediterranean Revival theme mall with throu'gh traf! The District will capture a dramatically increased share of the ~ NORTH MIAMI ~ fie rerouted from Ocean Drive. · # I , tourist and commercial trade which now is directed to other areas tl' of the Florida coast. The Plan offers an exciting opportunity to MIAMI SHORES § • Reuse of lower Collins Avenue buildings as a health-oriented reverse the current trend of decline. It will create a new resort g commercial and recreational center, offering hydrotherapy, image, an inviting welcome to visitors and a pleasing and comfort solariums, gyms, etc. able home for its residents, young and old. 12 • Upgrading of Washington Avenue as a neighborhood and Without action, the District cannot survive intact. Continued tourist shopping area, with a focus on the ethnic heritage and demolition is an easy alternative, and the sporadic removal of the cultural diversity of residents and visitors. urban fabric will leave behind a piecemeal community without a cohesive identity . • Upgrading and rehabilitation of apartment buildings in residen tial areas for housing, with family and elderly units of varied Implementation of the Plan will signify the rescue and rejuvenation sizes and congregate forms for both permanent and seasonal of an important historic resource . By capitalizing on the District's residents. outstanding heritage and tempering it with an understanding of current development trends and market demands, the District • Creation of theme malls on Espanola Way and Lincoln Road. can again become an outstanding place to experience: to live in Espanola Way can be a Latin bazaar, while Lincoln Road can and to visit. STUDY AREA The City of Miami Beach encompasses the nation's most densely the City which contains the nation's most outstanding collection of developed barrier island separated from the east coast of South Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival resort architecture. Planned Florida by the Inland waterway where it empties into Biscayne in a strong rectangular grid pattern, the District extends from 6th Bay. Miami Beach is directly east of the mainland City of Miami. Street north to Lincoln Road and east of washington Avenue as far north as 23rd Street. It includes the entire Atlantic beachfront The Miami Beach Art Deco District is a one-square mile area of within this stretch and extends westward to Lenox Avenue. 2. The District's barrier island location is ideally suited as a major liii1 9I WESTPAL M BEACH attraction for visitors and residents of the region . The entire South Florida area attracts a large tourist.and seasonal resident popula .u~•·· ··•· ... ,, .." . tion because of its tropical climate . Focal points for tourists and BOCA RATON . vacationers include: Key West, a quaint town whose rich architec ,,3 FORTLAUDERDALE . tural heritage remains untouched from its l)iheteenth century appearance; Everglades National Park; West Palm Beach which :JJf: features a picturesque historic district of Mediterranean Revival p, design; and the Micosukee Indian Reservation. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Hialeah , Naples and Fort Meyers are JT- additional attractions and concentrations of development in South Florida. :/ AllANTlC OCEAN ·' The more immediate surroundings of the District within Dade County are equally supportive of its role as a tropical resort com munity. Other area attractions include: Coconut Grove, once known as the "Greenwich Village of the South"; the planned com munity of Coral Gables; Little Havana, in the 8th Street area in Miami; Miami's World Trade Center and Design Row (the birth place of the Miami Design Preserv/;ltion League). Also, in Miami and directly west of the District is Government Cut, the port of arrival from South America and the Caribbean.