At the July 28, 2021 City Commission meeting, Mayor Dan Gelber referred the above referenced item to the September 2021 Neighborhood and Qualify of Life Committee (“NQLC”) to consider the co-naming of Meridian Avenue, located between 19 Street and 18 Street/Harvey Milk Way, in honor of the late Cuban icon Celia Cruz, along with any amendment to Section 82-503 of the City Code that may be required to accomplish the co-naming.

At the September 20, 2021 NQLC meeting, the Committee passed a motion to move this item without a recommendation to the City Commission for further discussion.  However, during the discussion, the Committee expressed a concern with continuing to amend the Naming Ordinance.  The Committee believes that the current criteria in the Naming Ordinance was intentionally created to limit those categories that would authorize the co-naming of City streets; and the continued amendments to the City’s Naming Ordinance defeat the purpose and intent of the Ordinance by expanding those categories.

Known to many as the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz is unquestionably an enduring symbol of Cuban culture and continues to be recognized as one of the most popular Latin artists of all time nearly 18 years after her death. A true pioneer for women, Cubans, and Afro-Latinas, Celia Cruz was wholly unapologetic about her identity at a time when it was unpopular to do so. Celia Cruz began her rise to worldwide stardom in the 1950’s with the legendary Afro-Cuban group La Sonora Matancera.

Like many Cuban Americans today, Celia Cruz was exiled from her home country by the Castro Regime in 1960. Celia Cruz would go on to enjoy a nearly 60-year career of recording and performing salsa, rumba and reggaeton, while also starring in films and appearing on radio. Celia Cruz starred in the movie The Perez Family, which was filmed across Miami-Dade County, and sang the identifying spot segment for WQBA radio station in Miami, once known as La Cubanisima. In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Celia Cruz the National Endowment for the Arts award, the highest recognition granted by the United States government to an artist. In 1999, Celia Cruz was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

It is no secret that a strong connection exists between Celia Cruz and Miami Beach and the surrounding areas. Celia Cruz gave her final performance and last public appearance at the Miami Beach Convention Center during the tribute special Celia Cruz: Azucar! on March 13, 2003, just four months before her passing. Celia Cruz also performed live at the Orange Bowl Stadium during Carnaval Miami in 1991.  In 2005, a 6,000-square foot exhibit titled Azucar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz opened at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. – the exhibit was later displayed at The Bass Museum in Miami Beach.  In 2015, Mango’s Tropical Café held the Mango’s Miami Beach Tribute to the Queen of Salsa in honor of Celia Cruz and her iconic music.  In 2016, the Wolfsonian- FIU Museum opened the exhibit Promising Paradise: Cuban Allure, American Seduction, which highlighted Cuba’s once thriving nightlife and featured one of the glamorous gowns that Celia Cruz wore while performing at the famous Cuban nightclub and casino the Tropicana.

In October 2018, the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora opened the exhibition Por Siempre Celia (Forever Celia), highlighting the fascinating life of Celia Cruz.  Today, one could often hear her music being played or sung throughout Miami Beach.

This item proposes co-naming Meridian Avenue, located between 19 Street and 18 Street/Harvey Milk Way, after Celia Cruz due to its proximity to the Miami Beach Convention Center, the place of her final performance and last public appearance prior to her death.  Co-naming a street proximate to the Miami Beach Convention Center in honor of one of Cuba’s most prominent figures would be particularly symbolic and a fitting gesture to both the Queen of Salsa and the Cuban residents of Miami Beach.

Pursuant to Section 82-503(c)(1)a. of the City Code, for a street co-naming request to be considered, it must meet the following criteria:

1. Miami Beach police officers who died or were killed in the line of duty;
2. A public facility located on the street to be co-named;
3. Private not-for-profit organizations with significant historic value to the city and associated with structures which have a significant historical value or architectural significance to the City and which are located on the street, or portion thereof, to be co- named;
4. Geographic areas within the City;
5. A commercial establishment that has been in business in the City of Miami Beach for 100 or more years and which is located on the street to be co-named;
6. Deceased person who served as the spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City of Miami Beach for 35 or more years and resided in the City of Miami Beach (shall automatically sunset on July 1, 2019);
7. Deceased persons who are known for their role as a gay rights pioneer and as one of the first openly LGBTQ people ever elected to public office in the U.S. (shall automatically sunset on May 1, 2022);
8. Deceased historical figure who was instrumental in helping Latin American countries achieve independence from the Spanish Empire (shall automatically sunset on July 1, 2022).

Given that the request to co-name a portion of Meridian Avenue in honor of the late Celia Cruz does not meet the current criteria in the Naming Ordinance, an amendment would be necessary to accomplish this co-naming request.  Once the amendment is approved by the City Commission in two separate readings, the NQLC shall consider the co-naming request and make a recommendation to the City Commission.  If the NQLC recommends in favor of the co- naming, the item would need to be approved by the City Commission by 5/7ths vote following a public hearing.  If approved by the City Commission, the co-naming will need to be subsequently approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC).  Following BCC approval, City staff coordinates with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works for the fabrication and installation of the new street co-naming signs.

Given that the request to co-name a portion of Meridian Avenue in honor of the late Celia Cruz does not meet the current criteria in the Naming Ordinance, an amendment would be necessary to accomplish this co-naming request.  The NQLC shall consider the co-naming request and make a recommendation to the City Commission.

At its September 20, 2021 meeting, the NQLC passed a motion to move this item, without a recommendation, to the City Commission for further discussion given the Committee's concern with the continued amendments to the City's Naming Ordinance.