HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetterMiami Art Museum
March 7, 2007
Pedro G. Hernandez
City Manager
City of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133-5595
Dear Mr. Manager:
the power of ten
I want to formally report on the incredible progress that the City of Miami and the Miami
Art Museum (MAM) have made since March 24, 2005 when the Miami City Commission
approved resolution number R-05-175 that authorized a planning, development and
project management grant to MAM of $700,000.
To highlight just two major events since that date:
• Cooper, Robertson & Partners, Civitas, Inc., Spifis.Candela DMJM, David
Plummer & Associates, Coastal Systems international, Savino & Miller Design
Studio, Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, and Construction Management
Services completed the master plan design for Bicentennial/Museum Park
• MAM selected the internationally celebrated firm of Herzog & de Meuron as
designers of the Museum's new and expanded facility.
These events represent milestone moments for this project, the refurbishment and
renovation of Museum Park and the re -vitalization of Miami's downtown area. The
hiring of Terry Riley as MAM's Director has also provided us with the momentum that
we need in order to fulfill our promises to the voters of the City and Miami -Dade County.
MAM's Trustees and staff are delighted with the rate of progress on this project and
thrilled to be working with the City, the County and the Miami Museum of Science and
Planetarium on making Museum Park a landmark site, a central element of the City's
master plan. MAM and Herzog & de Meuron are moving apace with the design which
will be unveiled in December 2007. MAM is also finalizing its executive architect
selection process.
101 west F1ap1er Street
MIaiN, Flalda 33190
305.376.3000
305.376.1726 Fax
mlamiartmuseum.org
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To continue at this pace, we are asking that the City execute a new grant agreement, in
the approximate amount of $2,000,000, to support MAM's on -going development efforts
as a specified project in the voter -approved Homeland Defense Neighborhood
Improvement Bond Program. The City's bond funds will be used for the planning,
development, project management and architectural service costs that MAM continues
to incur and will submit to the City for reimbursement. information regarding the
project's funding is attached.
I look forward to continuing to work with you, your staff and the City's elected officials on
this vital project.
Aaron Podhurst
Chair
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