HomeMy WebLinkAboutsubmission - correspondenceFebruary 26, 2001
Miami City Commission
Dear Commissioners:
The proposed high rise residential towers on the site of the old Miami News building located on the
south bank of the Miami River flies in the face of the rich history of that area, as well as the enlightened
plans for its future. The river has hosted humanity for 4,000 native Miamians, Jesuit missions to the
Indians, slave plantations, Army forts, the home of Julia Tuttle, and early Miami's most magnificent
hotels.
The neighborhood in question, known originally as Riverside, is one of Miami's oldest "suburbs." Since
its inception, it has been home to structures of human scale, and even though that tradition is changing
with the building of the Neo-Lofts and other new structures farther downriver, the area we are
concerned with has remained one of low rises. Further, the city's comprehensive plan for this area calls
for keeping the river a stream for maritime activity and mid to low rise residential building. It also
envisions a wonderful greenbelt along this busy waterway, the historic "spine" of Miami and southeast
Florida, and the state's fourth busiest port. These proposed towers fly in the face of this history and the
city's own enlightened vision for the future of the neighborhood facing that historic stream.
I ask you to consider the river and neighborhood's history, as well as the city's enlightened vision for
the future as you vote on this issue. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
fm1'
i
Paul S. Gege, Ph.D
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEM P2.ON a-a6-ov.
Paul S. George
A Brief Resume
Paul S. George is a Professor of History, Miami -Dade College, Wolfson Campus. He is also Historian
to the Historical Association of Southern Florida. A native Miamian, Paul George is a graduate of
Miami Dade Community College and the University of Miami. He holds a Masters and Ph.D. degree in
History from the Florida State University. Dr. George has taught in several universities and colleges,
including Florida State University, Florida A & M University, Florida Atlantic University, and the
University of Miami.
Dr. George has authored eight books and over one hundred articles and book reviews. Two of the
books have won awards. He has served as president of the Florida Historical Society, vice chairman of
the City of Miami's Heritage Conservation Board, director of the Historic Broward County
Preservation Board, and sits as a member of Metro Dade County's Preservation Board. He is
currently president of the Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archive. Mr. George is editor of
Tequesta, the scholarly journal of the Historical Association of Southern Florida, and an advisor of the
same organization's South Florida History magazine. He has twice been cited as Miami's outstanding
Historian by New Times. He was the recipient in 2003 of an award from Miami -Dade County
School's Social Science Division for Excellence in that field. The Notre Dame Club of South has feted
Dr. George as it Person of the Year in 1997 through its Exemplar Award. He was recognized in 1995
as Teacher of the Year for Miami -Dade Community College, Wolfson and Interamerican campuses.
Between 1997 and 2000, he held the Arthur Hertz Endowed Chair at Miami -Dade College.
Dr. George has curated several historical exhibits at the Historical Association of Southern Florida and
at the Jewish Museum of Florida. Dr. George also conducts about thirty-five different history tours of
Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties.