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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-84-0521Howard V. Gary TO• City Manager CITY Or MIAMI. 1r1.ORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE: SURJF_CT• FROM Charlotte Gallogl�/� RE CES: Director Department of of Economic ENCLOSURES: Development April 11, 1984 r1 L E: Establishment of an Aviation Museum at Pinner Key Marina I would like to propose that the City of Miami consider the establishment of an Aviation Museum at the Dinner Key Marina. The initial phase of the Aviation Museum would be established in interior and exterior areas of the dockmaster's office at Dinner Key adjacent to City hall which is under renovation. This proj�: t would involve the display of early aviation memorabilia on the floor and ceiling of the marina office, including the entrance: area and new terrace, to be supplied by Pan American World Airway^. The proximity of the proposed initial phase of the museum to City Hall has a special significance as the City Hall. structure was the original. terminal for the historic air route inaugurated 50 years ago by Pan American Airways Clipper ships, and the birth site of international aviation operations. This milestone has been commemorated with the naming of Pan American Drive and Clipper Circle. This report deals only with the initial phase of what could become a major project sometime in the future-- the establishment of a collection of memorabilia related to Miami's history and growth even outside of the aviation field, that could be housed and financed through private sources. BACKGROU14D Based on an award -winning interior design project that I personally created some time ago that featured a decor of aviation and marine memorabilia, I was approached by Al Rodriguez of Marinas to suggest a similar treatment for the refurbished marina office at Dinner Key. Coincidently, a former Pan Am Clipper pilot, Captain George Price, visited City Hall seeking a means of mutual collaboration between the airline and the city in coordinating an event or observance of the historic ties existing between the Clipper pilots and the Dinner key site. The occasion that triggered this quest is the upcoming convention in October of the Clipper Pioneer Pilots, Inc. (an organization of retired pilots and flight engineers) at; the Grand Bay Hotel, across the street from City Nall. Ile was referred to Commissioner Dawkins who asked him to contact me. I scheduled a meeting with Captain Price which also was attended by marina and DED personnel to discuss the establishment of a museum featuring aviation memorabilia in the renovated office that would serve to highlight Miami's significant role in the development of international aviation. PROJECTIONS What started as a modest undertaking has ballooned into a major venture that will unquestionably reap significant economic benefits, high visibility and a great deal of prestige for the City of Miami. An avera`,e of 25-0,000 visitors come to attend the major shows that are, housed ._t tize Coconut Grove Exhibition Center, and countless number of tourists are transported to the Dinner Key Marina as part of tour- bus schedules. An aviation museum on the premises will surely greatly escalate these numbers through its historical, educational and touristic benefits. CURRENT DEVI LOP1,1ENTS A staff member has been assigned to activate this project. To date, she has met on several occasions with Captain Price, as well as with other persons who will be involved such as city marina and planning personnel and local historians. She also has been in contact with the airline and has visited the site to determine the placement of various interior and exterior displays. The redesign of the main room into a "mini" terminal, and of the entryway and glass -walled exit area, as well as the addition of a terrace, should provide a most suitable and attractive setting for these displays. Listed below are some of the salient points that have been explored, discussed and reviewed in relation to the projected potential of this project: o Simultaneously with the Clipper Pilots convention, the prestigious Air Line (sic) Pilots Association ,also are convening in Miami, thus providing a significant focal point for the museum's dedication ceremonies by both the public and Miami's large aviation community. 84-521 o This year not only marks the 50th anniversary of the start of Clipper service at Dinner Key, but also the airline's 56th Anniversary, and the 30th anniversary of the transfer of the airline's facilities at Dinner Key to the City of Miami. o Pan American World Airways corporate headquarters in New York has evinced a great deal_ of interest in this project. Its corporate relations office has requested that a letter be sent by the city to the board chairman outlining the project (a draft for the mayor's signature is attached, pending your approval). We would like to do this as soon as possible. o There is a possibility that, one of two Clipper ships in existence that is owned by the Smithsonian Institution can be brought to Dinner Key on long-term or permanent loan. As it is presently being warehoused due to lack of space, and, therefore, not in good condition, we have been informed that a dedicated group of Pan Am mechanics residing here would consider it a labor of love to repair the ship. A concern expressed by the Smithsonian was the possibility of hurricane damage here but, although we have as ,yet not learned of the ship's exact-, dimensions, we anticipate no problem in this area as we believe ghat. emergency shelter could be provided within the Coconut- Grove >:hi.bition Center. An exhibit site for the Clipper could Inc pl.acF�d in one of the new or existing basins, or in the Clipper o Pan Am �-,ould supply memorabilia of every description for the museum including its 54" model of a Sikorsky 538, the plane piloted by L.indb(?rC�h from Dinner Key to Cristobal, Panama to inaugurate a mail route; photographs recording events such as President Franklin Roosevc].t's dcparture from Dinner Key to the wartime summit meeting at Casablanca, historic slides for a media presentation and many more artifacts that are in the custody of the airli.ne's chief historian in New York. We have already been informed that an executive from Pan Am's corporate relations office, most likely the chief historian, would be willing to come to Iliami with catalogues featuring proposed exhibits. In addition, we have evidence of a great deal of support in the local community in establishing the aviation museum: Bill Witherspoon, a Clipper veteran who retains valuable memorabilia exhibits at Planet Ocean; the Museum of Science which contains the globe originally located in the terminal lobby; Ione Wright, 33 widow of a Clipper pilot who is a retired professor of history from the University of Miami and author of two books on aviation history. Capt. Price has been informed by the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce that one of three buildings that has been designated as historic landmarks once served as Pan Am's Latin American headquarters, and a plaque could be installed there. 84-521 I Upon your review and consideration, I recommend your approval of this project and the submission of the attached letter to Mayor Perre for his signature so the project can be formally initiated. APPROVED BY: HOWARD V. GARY CG/mv Attachment CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO. Hon. Maurice A. Ferre DATE: FILE: Mayor SUBJECT: Attached Proposal And Letter Related To The Establishment Of An Howard V. Gary Aviation Museum At FROM: City Manager REFERENCES: Dinner Key Marina ENCLOSURES: Attached for your review is a proposal from Charlotte Gallogly regarding the establishment of an Aviation Museum at Dinner Key Marina. If you agree with this proposed project, please sign the attached letter. Attachment 84-521 M ;u-4ic_ A r _.qaE .i..rva ��lr •�± .�I.aMI ��'a:,A 3313? Mr. C. Edward Acker Chairman of the Board Pan American World Airways 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166 Dear Ed: The City of Miami is presently considering the creation of a landmark project to commemorate a significant chapter in aviation history e.. the inauguration of the Pan Am Clipper service from Dinner Key in 11034. This wor_rl d he in the form of a museum featuring aviation rneI'll orabi 1 i a depi c:ti ng the start and development of this industry throughaut `::he world. As the Clipper service from hiiarni eras at the heart of the start of international aviation, we would consider it most appropriate if Pan American World Airways was a pr; mary participant in the establishment of this museum. We are proposing to establish this project with displays exhibited within an area of the marina office in Dinner Key which is presently undergoing an extensive enlargement and renovation program, to be completed this summer. The City of Miami is underwriting the costs of enlarging and remodeling the structure that will house this first museum venture. It is our hope that following marketing and feasibility studies, there will be interaction with the private sector of the community for financing of a larger permanent facility sometime in the future. The Clipper Pioneer Pilots Inc. is holding its convention in Miami in October. Also the Air Line Pilots Association is convening here at the same time. This would indeed offer an excellent opportunity to formally dedicate the Pan Am Displays. 84-521 r. It is anticipated that this facility will be a popular attraction for local residents as well as domestic and foreign visitors. An average of 250,000 visitors come to Dinner Key each year to attend major shows such as the annual boat, home and antique shows that are housed at the Coconut Grove Exhibition Center which is located just a few feet from the proposed museum site. In addition, countless numbers of tourists are transported to the Dinner Key Marina as part of tour bus schedules. I would like to request that Pan Am designate personnel who are knowledgeable in museum matters to take exclusive charge of the selection of items and their display. Some of these would become the permanent property of the museum; others would be on loan to the City. City staff and a representative of the Clipper Pioneer Pilots have already met on several occasions to discuss this matter and prominent persons in the community with ties to Pan Am have expressed eagerness to become part of this project. I can clearly project the success of this venture in establishing an aviation museum with displays open to the public. Therefore, the City of Miami is pleased to extend this opportunity to Pan Am. I look forward to learning your comments on this important project. Sincerely, Maurice A. Ferre Mayor MAF/es It is anticipated that this facility will be a popular attraction for local residents as well as domestic and foreign visitors. An average of 250,000 visitors come to Dinner Key each year to attend major shows such as the annual boat, home and antique shows that are housed at the Coconut Grove Exhibition Center which is located just a few feet from the proposed museum site. In addition, countless numbers of tourists are transported to the Dinner Key Marina as part of tour bus schedules. I would like to request that Pan Am designate personnel who are knowledgeable in museum matters to take exclusive charge of the selection of items and their display. Some of these would become the permanent property of the museum; others would be on loan to the City. City staff and a representative of the Clipper Pioneer Pilots have already met on several occasions to discuss this matter and prominent persons in the community with ties to Pan Am have expressed eagerness to become part of this project. I can clearly project the success of this venture in establishing an aviation museum with displays open to the public. Therefore, the City of Miami is pleased to extend this opportunity to Pan Am. I look forward to learning your comments on this important project. Sincerely, Maurice A. Ferre Mayor MAF/es