Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  21.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee Members


FROM:
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager


DATE: February 21, 2018


SUBJECT:

DISCUSSION REGARDING MIAMI BEACH PAVER MEMORIAL PROGRAM


HISTORY:

At the January 17, 2018 Commission meeting, Miami Beach resident Caren Kamlet approached the dais during Dr. Stanley Sutnick Citizen’s Forum hour to propose the creation of a memorial walk along the beach walk. The beach walk is presently under construction.

 

At the January 24, 2018 Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (“NCAC”) meeting, the Committee discussed the creation of a paver memorial program. Administration was directed to look at other programs and come back with suggestions for a program and options that tie in with the Miami Beach Art Deco identity.

 

At the February 14, 2018 Commission meeting, the item was formally referred as a discussion item to the NCAC.


ANALYSIS:

Staff has started its review and analysis, and needs further direction in order to continue. 

 

Similar Programs

 

Miami Children’s Museum:  Features personalized commemorative tiles at its walkway entrance. For a cost of $1,000.00, contributors can pick between a starfish design and a dinosaur design on a 12-inch square.  In addition to the walkway tile, donors receive an array of museum benefits.

 

City of Aventura: Established two programs to help raise funds for cultural programming and events at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center (the “Center”): “Walk of Arts” Brick Pavers, and Honor Roll Founders. Featured at the Center, their “Walk of Arts” is paved with 12" x 12" commemorative pavers, which can be engraved with a personal inscription or company logo. Brick donations are $150.00 per paver. In their “Honor Roll Founders” program, a person can become an Honor Roll Founder by donating between $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. In recognition of their support, names of Honor Roll Founders are displayed on an “Honor Roll” plaque, featured in the Center’s lobby.

 

 

City of Doral’s Veterans Park Brick Campaign: Created a brick paver program that specifically commemorates veterans and members of the military. Individuals can purchase a commemorative 4 x 8-inch paver for $75.00, which is then installed at City of Doral’s Veterans Park.  A portion of the proceeds go to The Fisher House Foundation, which provides shelter for injured veterans and their families.

 

Possible Options

 

  • Option 1 – Commemorative Brick Program (Exhibit A)

 

Commemorative brick program which presents donors with the option to choose between three differently sized, concrete bricks (4x8- inch, 8x8- inch, and 12x12- inch), each at its own respective value. Depending on the size, each brick could include between one to four lines for engraved messages. The bricks’ color schemes would be consistent with the location.

 

Possible locations:

    • Beachwalk

    • Create area in a designated park along Beachwalk

    • Passive park outside the Beachwalk corridor

 

  • Option 2 – Mosaic Brick/Stone Program (Exhibit B)

 

Commemorative mosaic brick/stone program which includes differently sized pavers that collectively create an iconic Miami Beach inspired design, such as a sea turtle, a dolphin, a lifeguard stand or coconut palms. The selected site would feature a single plaque at the entrance with the names of those who are being commemorated.

 

This option would be custom and would have greater upfront costs but is more artistic in nature.

 

 Possible locations:

    • Beachwalk

    • Create area in a designated park along Beachwalk

    • Passive park outside the Beachwalk corridor

 

  • Option 3 – Tile Mosaic Program (Exhibit C)

 

Tile mosaic program which would feature colorful pieces that, when pieced together, make up an image. As a point of reference, the flooring on the first floor of City Hall is made up of vibrant tiles which have been pieced together to make the image of the seabed. The selected site would feature a single plaque at the entrance with the names of those who are being commemorated.

 

Possible locations:

    • Beachwalk

    • Create area in a designated park along Beachwalk

    • Passive park outside the Beachwalk corridor

 

 

 

Resident Input 

 

Miami Beach residents have expressed their desire to place a memorial paver program, or similar concept, in locations that are either highly trafficked by residents, such as the Beachwalk, or in passive parks between Mid-Beach and North Beach. Emphasis was made in keeping this concept away from tourist hot spots, requesting the City target denser residential areas (23rd street to 82nd street) instead. They also maintain the program should be affordable for residents in the North Beach area.

 

The Beachwalk, or parks that are serene, quiet or waterfront, were described as optimal locations to run the memorial program. Parks that met these considerations included Brittany Bay Park, Allison Park, Parkview Island Park Annex, Pinetree Park, and Maurice Gibb Memorial Park.



CONCLUSION:

Further direction from Committee on type or types of programs to further explore.

 

Specifically:

  • Type of program – brick, mosaic, tile, etc.

  • Preferred locations

  • Price points and purpose. 

    • Cost cover install and maintenance

    • Cost cover install, maintenance and support an effort or cause


ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Exhibit A – Commemorative Brick ProgramMemo
Exhibit B – Mosaic Brick/Stone ProgramMemo
Exhibit C – Tile Mosaic ProgramMemo