Dade Heritage Trust
by Christine Rupp
Since our founding in 1972, Dade Heritage Trust (DHT) has been the leading and largest advocate of preserving Miami-Dade’s architectural, environmental and cultural heritage.
A prime example of our work is our own home, the historic office of Dr. James Jackson at 190 SE 12th Terrace, which has been our home since 1976. However, this historically designated building is now in danger of being moved and the property sold to developers.
DHT, a non-profit organization, has been an invaluable steward of the building and its history since we restored it and made it our headquarters 44 years ago. We have lovingly maintained the building at an average cost of $30,000 per year and have provided all upkeep and insurance. Nevertheless, the building is owned by the City of Miami, and DHT has been the city’s tenant on a month-to-month basis.
In 2016, Miami voters approved a charter amendment, 55 to 45 for the City of Miami to enter into a long-term lease, which would provide a stationary place for DHT to accomplish its mission.
The Miami City Commission has ignored that vote over the past four years, and now is exploring going directly against the wish of the voters, to sell the land to a private developer. That may provide a short-term cash gain to the city. But the substantial costs for the relocation, for fixing any damage that the 115-year-old building would sustain in the move, providing utilities at a new site, and future on-going maintenance would negatively impact that gain. Moreover, it would cripple DHT’s programs currently operating on the site, eliminate a visitor’s center, and endanger the very existence of a tangible piece of Miami’s history.
The building is an iconic symbol of Miami’s history and the Brickell neighborhood’s pre-high-rise redevelopment. DHT provides many community enhancing programs from this headquarters building including presenting original exhibits, serving as a visitor center that is accessible to the thousands of Brickell area residents, workers, and tourist, as well as providing walking and bike tours of the area.
Over the years, the number of people we have reached with our public programming has grown exponentially. With an eye towards the future, we have long-term plans for additional community and educational programs that showcase this jewel of our city’s history.
DHT’s advocacy program has assisted with the rescue, restoration and adaptive reuse of many historic venues in Miami and throughout the county. It is imperative that the trust has a home.
Please contact the Mayor and City of Miami Commission and let them know that you support executing a long-term lease with DHT, which was the will of the voters in 2016.
fsuarez@miamigov.com khardemon@miamigov.com krussell@miamigov.com mreyes@miamigov.com jcarollo@miamigov.com adiazdelaportilla@miamigov.com