I would like to refer the above-referenced item to the March 2021 Neighborhood and Qualify of Life Committee (“NQLC”) to consider the co-naming of 19th Street, between Meridian Avenue and Convention Center Drive/Muhammad Ali Way, and located adjacent to the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial and north of the Pride Park, in honor of a prominent Jewish figure who made significant contributions to Jewish-related initiatives, along with any amendment to Section 82-503 of the City Code that may be required to accomplish the naming.
The rich legacy of the Jewish community in Florida can be found in every region of the state. As a people, Jews have contributed dramatically to Florida's economy, and culture government and created institutions that allowed their heritage to flourish and their identity to strengthen.
There is also a number of Jewish landmarks throughout the city, including the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, the Holocaust Memorial, and several temples including Temple Emanu-El, Temple Beth Sholom, and Temple Beth Schmuel.
I am proposing co-naming 19th Street after a prominent Jewish figure due to its proximity to the City’s Holocaust Memorial, a striking, beautiful memorial built by Holocaust survivors as a reminder of lives extinguished in the Holocaust. I recommend that the City seek community input before choosing a suitable candidate to co-name 19th Street after.
In order to facilitate the co-naming of 19th Street, I would also propose that NQLC further recommend an amendment to the City’s naming ordinance, codified in Article VI of Chapter 82 of the City Code, which would expand the provided criteria for the co-naming of City streets in honor of deceased persons who left a prominent mark on history. There is precedent regarding exemptions for naming of public facilities, such as Miami City Ballet, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, New World Symphony. Most recently, the Naming Ordinance was amended to permit the co-naming Convention Center Drive as “Muhammad Ali Way.”
Should you have any questions or concerns about any of the foregoing, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my aide Luis Callejas.
DR/RAP/lc