A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AND CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE REEFLINE MIAMI BEACH PROPOSAL AS A CONCEPT TO CREATE HABITATS FOR LOCAL AQUATIC MARINE LIFE, PROMOTE CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL TOURISM, CREATE A UNIQUE ART EXPERIENCE, AND PROVIDE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR LOCALS AND GUESTS.

The ReefLine is an Underwater Sculpture Park and Snorkel Trail at a swimmable distance from the shoreline of Miami Beach; eventually composed of 9 miles of artificial reefs designed by the best contemporary artists, architects, scientists, and designers. The ReefLine will highlight Miami Beach as creative, forward thinking city that sets a global standard as both art-minded and ecologically-conscious destination, while serving as a resilient reef providing critical habitat for endangered organisms, forming a unique marine sanctuary.  The Reefline is an investment in the community's civic infrastructure, public art, and environmental protection that will pay dividends over the coming decades by protecting the shoreline, raising active awareness about our ocean, and attracting tourists worldwide. Given the most recent summer fish kill in North Biscayne Bay, Miami's marine ecosystem needs as much human support and attention as possible. The ReefLine will provide critical new habitat for reef fish in an area that was previously a sand desert largely devoid of life, while demonstrating a proactive, progressive approach towards conservation that highlights the diversity that Miami harbors under the waterline.

Funding for the initial phase of the project is being provided in part by the Knight Foundation and is spearheaded by Blue Lab Preservation Society, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit foundation with a focus on building positive community impact that will help address ocean pollution, water quality, climate change, environmental and social issues.

After winning the Knight Arts Challenge in 2019, BlueLab Preservation Society has managed to match fundraising goals with a donation from the Blvatnik Foundation and is currently in the permitting process for the first phase of deployment off South Beach in November 2021.   A coastal engineering firm, Cummins Cederberg, has been contracted and has conducted underwater surveys of the area to be permitted. Pre-permit meetings have been conducted with Miami-Dade County DERM, FDEP, and Army Corps of Engineers to ensure schematic plans will be well received by these agencies. Once the area is fully permitted, The Reefline will have the ability to deploy more sculptures and modules.

As well, BlueLab is collaborating with Bridge Initiative, an organization dedicated to making the planet a priority through art, culture, creativity, and science. Additional partnerships have been formed with OMA / Rem Koolhaas for the Masterplan, the University of Miami’s U-Link Coastal Resiliency Team, The City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Cummins-Cederberg Marine Engineering, and Coral Morphologic.

On October 27, 2020, the Sustainability Committee made a motion supporting The Reefline Miami Beach proposal as a concept to create habitats for our local aquatic marine life, promote diverse tourism, and provide recreational activities for locals and guests.

On November 5, 2020, the Cultural Arts Council made a motion supporting The Reefline Miami Beach proposal as a concept to promote cultural and ecological tourism, create a unique art experience and elevate Miami Beach’s status as an international arts and culture destination.

The Reefline Miami Beach is being presented to the Art in Public Places Committee on November 17, 2020. The recommendation of the Art in Public Places Committee will be issued via an LTC following the meeting.

At this time, it is envisioned the City of Miami Beach would offer administrative support to The Reefline Miami Beach through its Department of Environmental and Sustainability and Department of Tourism and Culture.

The administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission approve the Sustainability Committee and Cultural Arts Council recommendations to support The Reefline Miami Beach.