PRESERVATION TODAY NEWS Fall 2004
From the President of the Board
Preserving Miami's Endangered Architectural Heritage Since taking the oath of office on April 29, 2004, I have come to understand in a more profound way what initially drew me to support the Dade Heritage Trust so many years ago : the energy, dedication and spirit of the Board and its members towards one goal- historic preservation. Dade Heritage Trust has come a long way since it was founded in 1972, and I am very proud and honored to be heading up such a fine organization. My goal as I took office has been to build upon the many fine accomplishments of my predecessors, and in just these few short months of my presidency, I am pleased to be able to report that we are well underway towards a very successful year. Presently, at the top of our list ofDHT successes is placing historic preservation projects on the County General Obligation Bond referendum. If the GOB passes, Dade Heritage Trust will administer a $10 million preservation fund for endangered historic sites. We are very excited about this opportunity and urge you to support the GOB initiative when you vote on November 2, 2004. Our partnership with the County does not end there, however. We have diligently pursued the salvation and restoration of the 1917 Dice House in southwest Miami-Dade County and our efforts have paid off. The Dice House, the oldest house in the Kendall area, is one of the last remnants of Miami's pioneer heritage. It was constructed of Dade County Pine by
David Brantly Dice, who was a storekeeper and the unofficial mayor of Kendall. The cottage was located near Flagler's Kendall railroad station and was just a block away from Dice' s Kendall Feed and Supply Store, which then had the only telephone in the area. Although demolition of the house appeared inevitable a few months ago following a request from the owner for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition, we succeeded in locating a new site for the bouse. DHT stepped in at
The 1917 Dice House, the oldest house in Kendall, awaits relocation and restoration.
this crucial juncture and negotiated a plan to relocate the Dice House to Continental Park, a short distance away. Under an agreement between DHT, Miami-Dade County and Bernardo Junco and Beatriz Gutierrez, the owners of the Dice House, the house will be relocated and restored and will serve as a mUltipurpose meeting facility for community programs. DHT has already contracted with a preservation architect and engineer to prepare construction documents and oversee the work. DHT is using its revolving fund to expeditiously fund the
restoration plans and building relocation and to obtain all necessary permits by December 2004. The final approval of the County' s financial commitment of $450,000 is expected to occur at the September 2004 County commission meeting. The owner has also committed $45,000 toward the restoration. On other fronts, DHT continues fundraising efforts to complete the restoration of the Old Miami High School. We are also seeking funds to restore the Hubbard/Alvarez Bungalow in Little Havana. We have received a State grant to showcase its restoration as a demonstration project and are pursuing funding from the City of Miami, the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, the Latin Builder's Association and the City of Miami Home Ownership Board. We are also approaching foundations and have submitted a grant application to the Home Depot Foundation. We thank all those corporations, foundations and individuals who have supported us this past year, and we solicit your support again this year. Your sponsorships, grants, dues, gifts and bequests make possible DHT's important work. This is an exciting and fruitful time for the Trust, and we look forward to your continuing support, hard work and energy so that we can all make DHT an even stronger, more powerful voice for preservation.
Richard J. Heisenbottle, AlA
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Fall 2004
DHT Awarded State Community Education Grant DHT has received a $10,000 grant for a Community Education project for the Hubbard/Alvarez Bungalow, thanks to an award from the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission. The grant will be used to produce a magazine and website detailing the preservation of bungalows, using the Little Havana bungalow that DHT saved from demolition as a demonstration model. New Trustees Join DHT Board Eight new members were installed on the Board of Dade Heritage Trust in May, 2004. Representing a broad diversity of education, talent and expertise, they bring enthusiasm and drive to the field of historic preservation. Let us introduce them to you. Jesus A. Cabrera is founder and chief investment officer of ENTRUST Management, a private portfolio management firm. His community activities include the Beacon Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami . Ann Marie Clyatt, a graduate of Miami Senior High School, served as Alumni Fundraising Coordinator of the Save Old Miami High effort. In 1998, she received a commendation from the National Carousel Association for her work in preserving the 1949 Allan Herschell Carousel at Crandon Park. John Fernandez, a Biscayne Bay Pilot, guides commercial ships in and out of the Port of Miami, protecting not only property but al so the reefs and sealife in the bay. He is a member of Coral Reef Yacht Club and a generous supporter of Dade Heritage Trust. Jose A. Goyanes, a Miami businessman, demonstrates that historic preservation can be economically profitable. The owner of Metro Beauty Centers, he has restored buildings in the downtown area ancbis a partner in La Loggia Restaurant. #" Armando Gutierrez, Jr., a recent UM graduate, is president of Gutierrez& Javadpour, specializing in construction-of affordable housing. He has worked for County Commissioner Joe Martinez and is a member of the M-D County Historic Preservation Board. He is currently renovating several historic sites in Lake Wales, FL. Kevin Reilly is a real estate investor and developer who is currently working on Latitude on the historic Miami River. Kevin was instrumental in the preservation of Old Miami High by donating the structure to the City and contributing $35,000 toward the cost of moving the building to its new location in Southside Park. Tracey Shannon, a Florida native, lived in California for twenty years before returning to settle in South Florida as an investment advisor. His concern is to preserve "what was done right as we continue to struggle towards revising the things we haven't done such a good job on." Mary "Cookie" Thelan was an invaluable member ofDHT's fundraiser committee for the "Wings of History" luncheon 2003 and the "Harboring History" dinner auction. A past president of The Villlagers, she has worked as a volunteer on many historic projects .
Old Miami High School The very first Miami High School, a 1905 bungalow-style structure, was going-to-be denlOlished for a high-rise development, but thanks to a coalition of Dade Heritage Trust, the City of Miami and the Miami High Alumni, the owner agreed to donate the structure to the City of Miami for public use. After months of planning, fundraising and negotiating, the Old Miami High was relocated three blocks away to Southside Park on January 18, 2003. It will be used as a community center for a fastgrowing neighborhood that needs additional resources badly. The developer, Kevin Reilly of KV Brickell Partners, Ltd., donated $35 ,000 towards the relocation , DHT and the Miami High Alumni raised $41 ,000 for the project, and the City of 'Miami allocated $350,000 for the restoration . Another $400,000 must be raised to complete the project. DHT applied for a State Special Category grant for Old Miami High last fall, was ranked Number 5 out of over 100 applications and was slated to receive a $300,000 for the restoration. However, the State Legislature did not allocate any funding for this year' s Special Category projects. A new shingle roof and porch have been completed on Old Miami High, but additional funds are essential to complete the project. DHT has once again applied for a Special Category grant and continues to seek donations from all sources so that Old Miami High can once more be a resource for school children and the general public.
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Fall 2004
Dade Heritage Trust Honors Outstanding Preservationists and Restoration Projects Every year Dade Heritage Trust, the largest historic preservation nonprofit organization in South Florida, honors outstanding individuals and projects that have helped save Miami's architectural heritage. A cocktail reception hosted April 29, 2004 by Northern Trust Bank on Brickell Avenue celebrated the Awardees' accomplishments as a [male to the two-month-Iong Dade Heritage Days. Richard Heisenbottle, AlA, Dade Heritage Trust Awards Chairman and incoming President, presented the following awards for Outstanding Architectural Restoration Projects: The Old United States Post Office and Courthouse, in Downtown Miami The Ralston and Carrion Buildings, in Downtown Miami The Browns Hotel, on Miami Beach The Pagoda Building, Ransom Everglades School, Coconut Grove The Cadillac Hotel, Miami Beach The Firestone Building, Miami The Clinton Hotel, Miami Beach The Burr Residence at the Baywinds Apartment Complex, Miami Residence at 832 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables
Becky Roper Matkov, Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, honoree Arva Moore Parks, Bob McCabe, and outgoing DHT President Bill Murphy at the Preservation Awards
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, built in 1925 at 464 NE 16th Avenue in Miami, was inducted into Dade Heritage Trust's "Preservation Hall of Fame" for maintaining its architectural integrity and original use. The Henriette Harris Award the highest honor Dade Heritage Trust can bestow on an Award winners Ellen Uguccioni and Mort - - - ---- individual, was presented to Arva Moore and Barbara Guilford with Vicki Belcher and Jack and Ruth Admire of The Parks by former recipient Coral Gables DHT Trustee Marie Stiefel Sain-Orr Foundation with Linda Gassenheimer and Ben Reid
Mayor Don Slesnick, Who !Woke of Arva' s many years of community leadership in preserving Miami's history.
Also honored with Community Service Awards were author and preservation consultant Ellen Uguccioni and Judge Scott J. Silverman, who personally financed and produced the documentary video, "The Dade County Courthouse, A History in Progress." Community Service Awards for Organizations were presented to The Pinecrest Preservationists, for saving the Whilden-Carrier Cottage, to the City of Miami Historic Preservation Section for developing a website and historic preservation brochure, and to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau for producing the booklet, "Miami , A Sense of Place."
BiIJ Murphy with County Commissioner Katy Sorenson
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DHT President Bill Murphy presented Certificates of Appreciation to donors and sponsors of Dade Heritage Days, which included Peacock Foundation, Inc., The Goldsmith Family Foundation, Inc., The Sain-Orr Foundation, Northern Trust Bank, J. Poole Associates, Inc., Realtors, the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council and the Miami Dade County Commission.
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Fall 2004
From the Executive Director
A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity By Becky Roper Matkov The upcoming General Obligation Bond referendum presents all of us in Miami-Dade County with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure serious funding to save endangered historic sites from demolition and neglect and to restore special landmarks, without raising our tax rate. This past winter, DHT initiated a campaign to secure historic preservation funding on the County General Obligation Bond (GOB). We worked with Miami-Dade County Preservation Director Ivan Rodriguez, the M-D Preservation Board and many different community leaders to produce a list for the GOB of preservation projects based on endangerment, public benefit, historic importance and geographic and ethnic diversity. We spoke at many public hearings, contacted the County Manager and Commissioners, and appeared at County Commission meetings to support the inclusion of these preservation projects in the "Building Better Communities" GOB . County Manager George Burgess supported our preservation proposal, the County Commission supported our proposal, and now it' s up to the voters on November 2 nd . The overall $2.9 billion General Obligation Bond will provide funding over a 13-year period for many different community needs. The public will be asked to vote on each of the following eight separate categories: I) water, sewer and flood control, 2) parks and recreation facilities, 3) public infrastructure and neighborhood improvements, 4) public safety facilities , 5) healthcare facilities , 6) public service facilities, 7) housing for the elderly 'and families, and 8) cultural, libraries and multicultural educational facilities .
Historic preservation funding is included in the cultural facilities category, the last question on the ballot. (See exact wording below.) In the face of so much rampant development that Ihreatens to obliterate much of our community's architectural heritage, we must guarantee that Miami's histo'r-ic past be incorporated into its future. Support the General Obligation Bond-they saved the best for last! A vote For the last question on the ballot is a vote For Historic Preservation.
Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Special Election
BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES CONSTRUCT AND IMPROVE CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES To construct and improve libraries, cultural facilities, and Head Start learning centers for pre-school children to offer multicultural educational opportunities and activities, described in Resolution No. 919-04, adopted July 20,2004, sbaU Miami-Dade County issue General Obligation Bonds to pay cost of such projects in a principal amount not exceeding $552,692,000, bearing interest not exceeding maximum legal rate, payable from ad valorem taxes? _ _ _ _ FOR BONDS _ _ _ _ AGAINST BONDS
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Fall 2004
Among the Historic Preservation Projects That Will Benefit from the General Obligation Bond Referendum
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (Miami)
Dade Heritage Trust Preservation Fund (County-wide Program) Provides emergency funding for historic properties
Historic Hampton House Bungalow
(Brow nsville)
(Little Havana)
Old Miami High School
Richmond Naval Air Station - Bldg. No. 25
(So uthside Park, Miami)
(South Dade)
Redland Farmlife School (South Dade)
Dorsey Memorial Library (Overtown)
Curtiss Mansion (Mi ami Springs)
Coral Gables Historical Museum "Old Police & Fire Station"
Pin crest Gardens: Original Entrance to Parrot Jungle
Flagler Memorial (Miami Beach)
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Fall 2004
"Harboring History" Sails to Success As a highlight of Dade Heritage Days 2004, which honored Miami's Maritime Heritage, Dade Heritage Trust hosted a grand "Evening by the Bay" on April 1st. The "Harboring History" event began with a cocktail reception at South Florida's oldest sailing club, the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and ended with a dinner and auction at Coral Reef Yacht Club. Antique maps belonging to Dr. Joe Fitzgerald and historic exhibits were on display at the lovely old clubhouse, which was designed by Walter de Garmo. Two hundred guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, a Bacardi-donated bar and the vintage boats, which included a 1950 solid mahogany Chris Craft, owned by Carlos Dearaujo. At the boom of the cannon, commodores, past and present, from different yacht clubs formed a procession led by a color guard. Everyone then marched through the gate in the fence between the two yacht clubs, which was marked with signal flag , a red carpet and potted palms. Following welcomes from DHT's Executive Director, Becky Roper Matkov, DHT's President Bill Murphy, and DHT's "Harboring History" Chairman Jonah Pruitt, guests were treated to remarks by Charlie Munroe about his pioneer grandfather Ralph Munroe, Miami 's "Fir t Commodore." Lester Johnson then portrayed the feisty "Col. Alex Merrill," founder of Merrill Stevens. Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer extraordinaire. The event raised about $25,000 for DHT's projects to save Miami's historic sites.
"Harboring History" Chairman Jonah Pruitt, DHT Tru tee Judy Pruitt, Dan and Trish Bell, Tom and Becky Matkov
Jane and Dan Tinney, Commodore of Coral Reef Yacht Club, and DHT Trustee Chico and Cindy Goldsmith
Debbie Tackett, Jim Herrera, Grimsley Matkov and Luis Gonzalez
Jackie and Myers Noell and Ann Marie and A.B. Clyatt
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'~t. ~., Bruce Matheson , incoming Commodore of Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and Irene and Bill Munroe
Tom Walby, Lilian Walby and Cookie Thelen, auction co-chairs, and Tony Thelen
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Becky Roper Matkov, antique yacht owner Carlos Dearaujo, Lt Ralph Clarke and US Naval Sea Cadets
Don Poole, DHT Past President Jeanette Poole, Michael Beeman, Karen and Bob McCammon
Biscayne Bay Yacht Club Commodore Warren Quillian and Mimi and Charlie Munroe
Lester Johnson portraying the indomitable Col. Alex Merrill
Annette and Walter Alvarez, DHT Trustee, and Frances Gardner and DHT Trustee Frans Boetes
·ter Kory, Neil Chrystal, yce Kory, Mark Powell , II Debra Charbonnet
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Fall 2004
DADE HERITAGE DAYS 2004
Dade Heritage Trust Wishes to express our grateful appreciation to the following for their support: "Harboring History" Underwriters The Goldsmith Family Foundation Bacardi USA, Inc.
Descendants of the Whilden and Carrier family in front of the 1932 Wh.ilden-Carrier Cottage.
Pinecrest Preservationists worked hard to make the Whilden-Carrier project succeed.
Bruce Matheson
J. Poole Associates, Inc., Realtors Dan and Trish Bell Dunwody White & Landon, P.A. Northern Trust Bank Biscayne Bay Pilot Association Jim Herrera The Progressive Cornet Band led the procession for the Historic City Cemetery
Holmes Elementary Students re-enacted the lives of black women buried in the City Cemetery for the DHT Women's Heritage luncheon.
Charles and Mimi Munroe
Dade Heritage Days Sponsors Miami-Dade Dept. of Cultural Affairs Peacock Foundation, Inc. The Goldsmith Family Foundation The Sain-Orr Foundation Winners of the DHT Heritage E ay contest were honored at the Service.
Northern Trust Bank
Corporate Members Ocean Bank Swire Properties City of Miami Commissioner Tomas Regalado, the Rev. Dr. Preston Marshall, DHT AfricanAmerican Committee Chairman Enid Pinkney, City Commissioner Art Teele, and the Rev. Robert L. Holt dedicate a tombstone to Edward Richardson.
Beauchamp Construction Co., Inc. Mellon Bank DHT volunteers Mona Ball and Gwen Welters at the City Cemetery Service
Metro Beauty Center The Graham Companies
Dade Heritage Days 2005: Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens The theme of next year's Dade Heritage Days will be Miami's Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens. DHT Trustee Kathy Hersh will chair the two-month long celebration during March and April 2005. The public will be invited to events and tours not only at prominent gardens like Fairchild, but also at many spectacular private gardens. Focal points will include the City of Miami's historic parks and Miami-Dade County's seven heritage parks, many of which contain work done in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC, under the direction of the prominent landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, built beautiful rock walls and park buildings like the boathouse at Greynold's Park.
Planning Meeting Groups or individuals wishing to participate in Dade Heritage Days 2005 next spring, please contact either DHT at 305-358-9572 or Kathy Hersh. A meeting for participants will be held on Thursday, October 14th at 7 p.m. at the home of Kathy Hersh, 9051 SW 69 Court, Pinecrest. RSVP to Kathy at 305-667-6779.
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Fall 2004
In Memoriam
JOIN A DHT COMMITTEE!
Dade Heritage Tru t mourns the loss of Arnold L. Greenfield, who died August 13, 2004. A prominent attorney and bond expert, Arnold was a former president of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, a former chairman of the State Historic Preservation Advisory Council, a Trustee for the Foundation for Villa Vizcaya, a loyal Dade Heritage Trust member, and a dear friend to us all. We will miss his wit and wisdom in so many ways. We extend our deepest sympathy to Arnold ' s wife Priscilla and the family. Dade Heritage Trust has placed a commemorative brick at the Cape Florida Lighthouse in Arnold's memory.
SAVE THE DATE! Dade Heritage Trust's Holiday party will be on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at the fabulous home of Jim Herrera and Rod Hildebrant at 1400 South Greenway Drive, Coral Gables. Mark your calendars now so you won't miss out on this lovely occasion.
Become more active in DHT! Call 305-358-9572 and sign up for one of the following committees: I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
Preservation and Restoration Projects Membership and Development Community Outreach Advocacy/Government Affairs African American Committee Dade Heritage Days
M-D County Historic Preservation Board, Dade Heritage Trust, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, and The Villagers, Inc. invite you to learn how the General Obligation Bond will help Historic Preservation:
Tuesday October 19, 2004, 6:30 p.m. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens RSVP 305/375-5362
Add Your Name to DHT's Preservation E-Mail Alert! Since hi to ric preservation issues often come up with little or no advance notice, Dade Heritage Trust is starting a Preservation E-Mail Alert. If you will e-mail us at info @dadeheritagetrust.org your e-mail address, we will be able to contact you quickJy so that you can lend your support to efforts to save a building from demolition, or to advocate against overdevelopment in a residential area, etc. We will also be able to remind you of upcoming Dade Heritage Trust special events and news.
DADE HERITAGE TRUST WEBSITE Have you vi sited our Dade Heritage Trust website lately? Don Slesnick ill has done a great job in working with us to upgrade it. Take a peek---www.dadeheritagetrust.org
Non路profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID MIAMI, FL Permit No. 6022
190 Sourheasr 12'h T errace Miami , Florida 33 13 1
Save Historic Sites! Vote to Support Building Better Communities November 2, 2004