On July 26, 2017, City Commission accepted the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee’s (FCWPC) recommendation regarding the Log Cabin structure located at 8128 Collins Avenue. These recommendations were:

• Staff will collaborate with Daniel Ciraldo of the Miami-Dade Preservation League to further investigate the Log Cabin's historical significance within the context of the community.

• Administration will work with the City's Grants Department to identify potential funding opportunities available for restoration including the State Department's Division of Historical Resources (DHR), namely the DHR's Special Category Grants.

• Property Management Division to revisit feasibility of successfully relocating the Log Cabin and further explore the option to build an in-kind structure while salvaging key elements of the Log Cabin that remain in fair condition today (i.e. treated interior logs and coral rock fireplace).

The result of the  Miami-Dade Preservation League research of the Log Cabin's historical significance within the context of the community was presented to the FCWPC on September 20,2017 and will be included as part of the Commission discussion item on October 18, 2017.

Results of the feasibility study relocating the Log Cabin and the option to build an in-kind structure while salvaging key elements of the Log Cabin that remain in fair condition today were presented to FCWPC at that same meeting.  The study by Douglas Wood Associates (DWA) determined that relocation of the existing structure is not feasible because of the poor condition, and estimated that approximately fifty percent (50%) of the existing structure could be salvaged and a replacement structure constructed for between $750,000 and $1 million. 

DWA’s assessment “indicates that ‘restoration’ of this building is not feasible. The closest one could come to ‘restoration’ would be to reconstruct foundations and stemwalls with new materials (unless historical designation is achieved and flood design requirements waived)..., reconstruct the exterior log walls with new materials, and reconstruct the floor and roof using existing materials, supplemented with new materials as required.”

FCWPC requested that staff further evaluate the cost of salvaging and storing appropriate parts of the structure as well as obtaining specifications and costs for building a similar log cabin using a log cabin kit approach and the salvaged materials and to bring these estimates to the October 13, 2017 FCWPC meeting. The administration has obtained the cost estimate for salvaging and storing appropriate parts of the structure of approximately $275,000 and is still working with DWA to develop specifications and costs estimates for the reconstruction using a log cabin kit approach.

Identification of Potential Funding Opportunities Available for Restoration

The Administration has identified potential funding opportunities for the Log Cabin project.  Potential State funding sources include the Historic Preservation Special Category grants program, Small Matching grant program, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Cultural Facilities grant program.  Other potential grants include Miami-Dade County Capital Development Grants program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Save America’s Treasures.

Given the high cost, and the fact that most grants will require matching funds, the Administration continues to explore other funding options.

Crowdfunding

The concepts of crowdfunding have been around for some time to fund myriads of personal and non-profit type endeavors.  However, as outlined in the attached CityLab article, this approach is beginning to be embraced by local governments, particularly for projects that are communities see as important for their neighborhoods.

Given the expressions of local concerns for the Log Cabin previously expressed by the community, this may be an option to provide some portion of the funding For a Log Cabin Salvage-Replacement/Renovation Project.