HomeMy WebLinkAboutCase Study Appendix C HEPB-2004-48 Backup DocumentsMetropolitan Miami Archaeological Action Plan
by
Archaeological and Historical Conservancy
4800 SW 64th Ave, Suite 107
Davie, FL 33314
archlgcl@bellsouth.net
for
City of Miami
Historic and Environmental Preservation Board
June, 2004
Metropolitan Miami Archaeological Action Plan
Archaeological investigations at the Miami Metropolitan project was initiated in April,
2003. Todate, a total area of 95,000 square feet have been excavated by archaeologists
within parking lots B and D. These investigations have resulted in the recovery of 1200
field specimens representing groups of materials or individual specimens from various
units, features, levels, and surface collections. In addition, 222 features have been
documented, including prehistoric post holes, natural solutionholes, and foundations and
features from the Royal Palm Hotel.
Discoveries of Significance
Notices of two significant discoveries have been provided to the Miami -Dade County
Archaeologist and the City of Miami Historic Preservation Officer. These discoveries
include prehistoric human remains uncovered on both parcels B and D, and the
foundations of the Royal Palm Hotel. Most of these human remains are highly disturbed
and disarticulated. The largest quantity of human remains have been uncovered in Parcel
D, particularly in association with a deep solution crevice (feature 164). Other human
remains have been uncovered in a solution hole near the west elevation of the Royal Palm
Hotel, and within soil horizons located between the hotel and feature 164. A rough
estimate of the number of individuals thus far recovered suggests approximately 20
individuals. All of these remains are prehistoric Native Americans, probably Tequesta or
their ancestors. Although the age of these humans remains are unknown, it is probable
that most of them date from the Glades I Period, ca.500 BC -AD 500.
The Royal Palm Hotel foundations occur in both parcels B and D. Remains in parcel B
include the foundations of the southeast corner of the building and the veranda that wraps
around the eastern side of the building. The parcel D foundations are extensive and
include up to seven courses of the brick foundation of the hotel's west wing, tile floors,
and numerous hotel features and artifacts. These foundations date to 1897. The hotel was
demolished in 1930.
Archaeological Action Plan
The discovery of human remains are subject to the guidelines of State Statute 872.05, the
Unmarked Human Graves Act. State archaeologist and physical anthropologist, David
Dickel, Ph.D., has indicated to the AHC that all humanremains are to be removed,
documented and analyzed. He also has requested that the human remains are to be re -
interred as close as to site of discovery as possible. Re -interment in proximity to the site
has been reiterated by representatives of both the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes.
1
Three locations have been considered for re-interiiient. These are described and assessed
below:
A. Metropolitan Project Parcel
Some initial considerations were made to re -inter the remains back onto the
project parcel. However, the proposed construction techniques of deep
excavation holes, a lack of soil or available green space, aside from some
potential adverse public perceptions make this option unfeasible.
B. Miami Circle Parcel
This 2 acre parcel is located on the south side of the Miami River and is currently
owned by the State of Florida and is undergoing a National Park Service study.
The State is opposed to any re -interments of human remains on that parcel
because there is no evidence that human graves previously existed on the parcel.
C. Brickell Park
Although there are still unresolved legal issues about this parcel, it was dedicated
as a City of Miami park in 1925, and has been actively used as a park since that
time. It encompasses a Tequesta cemetery and it is recommended that these
remains be placed in the park within an area of modern fill so that existing
archaeological deposits and graves will not be disturbed. The proposed re -
interment area may be as small as approximately 10 by 10 feet.
The Royal Palm Hotel foundations will be fully documented by archaeologists and
architectural historian, Gregory Saldana. Documentation will include the following
elements:
• Drawing of a scaled map of existing hotel foundations and features (HABS
format).
• Detailed photo documentation of the hotel remains.
• Narrated video of the hotel remains.
• An analysis and report of Royal Palm Hotel construction features and artifacts (to
be included as part of the final report),
• Completion of a Florida State Site File that will include a summary of history,
physical description, location map, black and white photographs, and
recommendations.
2
Preservation and Interpretive Plan
All of the recovered artifacts and copies of site documentation will be donated to the
Historical Museum. of Southern Florida. The developer, MDM, and the architect, Nichols
Brosh, Sandoval & Associates, are proposing two interpretative elements for the new
development.
Space will be dedicated within a new art gallery within the Met Square development that
will include an exhibit of the Royal Palm Hotel and other discoveries at the site. A
second interpretative element will be the use of the 60 foot wide plaza in parcel B to
interpret the site's history. This interpretative walkway will include paving, landscaping,
and kiosks that depict 2000 years of Miami history.
The preservation of in -situ building elements or other features of the Royal Palm Hotel is
not feasible relative to the approved Metropolitan plan nor the requisite construction
techniques, however, most of the foundation bricks, tiles, etc. will be made available to
the Historical Museum of South Florida or any credible preservation organization willing
to reconstruct or interpret parts of the hotel.
3
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD
FACT SHEET
NAME Metropolitan One (One Miami)
ADDRESS Approximately 200 SE 2nd Street, 200 SE 3rd Street, and 300 SE 3rd
Street
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Review of an action plan for preserving and interpreting archeological site
elements uncovered at the Metropolitan Miami complex.
ANALYSIS An Archeological Action Plan is being submitted in response to a
substantial modification to the Major Use Special Permit for this project.
In addition, the original resolution that was passed by the HEP Board
(Resolution HEPB-2002-68) approving an application for a Certificate
of Appropriateness for ground disturbing activity for this property required
that significant discoveries be reported to the board and action plans be
considered.
The Archeological Action Plan reports two discoveries of significance: 1,
prehistoric burials located on Lots B and D, and 2. the foundations of the
Royal Palm Hotel.
The human burials represent the remains of approximately 20 individuals,
and -are subject -to- the -guidelines -present- in-F-S. 87-2.05, the -Unmarked
Human Graves Act. The State Archeologist has approved the removal
and analysis of the burials and recommends that the re -interment of the
remains be in a location as close as possible to the original discovery.
Three locations have been considered for interment: the Metropolitan
parcel, the Miami Circle parcel, and Brickell Park. The Metropolitan
parcel is not favored because of lack of soil and green space, and the
presumed adverse public reaction. The State is opposed to re -interment
at the Miami Circle parcel because this site was never used for mortuary
purposes. The favored option for re -interment is Brickell Park, which has
been a park since 1925, encompasses a Tequesta cemetery, and
houses the Brickell mausoleum. The remains could be placed in the
area of fill on the eastern side of the park. The problem with Brickell
Park, however, is that there are unresolved legal issues dealing with
ownership of the park.
The Action Plan calls for documenting the Royal Palm Hotel foundations
by drawing a scale map, photographing and videotaping hotel features,
completing a Florida Master Site File of the site, and analyzing all
construction features in a report.
Artifacts from the site will be donated to the Historical Museum of
Southern Florida and will be exhibited within a new art gallery in the Met
Square development, The applicant is proposing using a 60-foot wide
plaza and walkway in Parcel B to interpret the site's history, but has
indicated that in -situ preservation of the Royal Palm Hotel elements will
not be possible because of the building plan and requisite construction.
Item #9
June 15, 2004
RECOMMENDATION
A superimposition of the new construction and the Royal Palm Hotel
foundations and floor, which was requested by the HEP Board at the April
meeting, was not submitted in time for staff review. The applicant has
indicated that this plan will be presented at the meeting. Because this
juxtaposition was not available, it is difficult to evaluate why it is not
possible to preserve any of the Royal Palm Hotel elements in -situ.
The Preservation Officer recommends that the applicant continue to work
with the City, State and Native American tribes to determine the most
appropriate location for the re -interment of the human remains.
Staff also recommends that the applicant explain why it is not feasible to
preserve a portion of the foundations and hotel floor, as this would be the
ideal plan for historic preservation. Furthermore, more information needs
to be presented about the interpretive walkway to discern whether this is
a viable alternative to dismantling all of the hotel features.
Staff also recommends that final plans for the interpretive elements of the
project be brought back to the Board for review..
Item #9
June 15, 2004
RESOLUTION NO. HEPB-2O044O
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF K8IAM| HISTORIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD ("HEPB")
APPROVING, SUBJECT TOTHE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS,
ANARCHEOLOGICAL ACTION PLAN FOR PRESERVING AND
INTERPRETING ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE ELEMENTS*
UNCOVERED AT METROPOLITAN ONE (ONE M|8M|)'
'LOCATED ATAPPROXIMATELY 2DOGE2 wo STREET, 2OOSE
no no
3 STREET AND 3OOBE 3 STREET, IN CONJUNCTION
WITH ASUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION TOTHE MAJOR USE
8PE[}l/\L PEF{NliT AND AS /\ FOLLOW-UP TO THE
CONDITIONS SET FORTH |NRESOLUTION HEPB'2OO2~88.
1. The human remains shall be reinterred.
2. The applicant shall vVod( with staff and shall keep the
Board abreast of any additional discoveries on the site.
3. The final plans for the interpretive elements Of the project
shall be brought back to the Board for approval,
PASSED AND ,ADOPTED 2004.
8ARAHEATON
PRESERVATION OFFICER
FAIFERNANOEZ