HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Melissa Meyer-MDC HEPB Resolution 09-07nnl®Oar3C
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER
111 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128
305-375-4958
Facsimile 305- 372-6394
Submitted into the public
record for ite}-11(s) 5v,
on 31 / 1 City Clerk
1MIA.MI-DADS COUNTY
EJISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 09-07
The Demolition of St. Stephen's Chapel, Coconut Grove. FL
WHEREAS, the original mission -style Church building at St_ Stephen's Episcopal Day
School was built in 1912, and the 1919 addition included the tile -roofed cloister and colonnade;
and
`WHEREAS, the church's first congregation included many of Coconut Grove's most
important pioneer figures, including Kirk and Mary Barr Munroe, Flora McFarlane, Dr: Eleanor
Galt Simmons, J.VJ. Ewan, Commodore Ralph Munroe and William J. Matheson: and
WH.EREAS, in the 1950s the church and cloister were converted into classrooms and
gallery space, altering and removing some of the original features of the buildings but leaving in
tact the actual structures, Dade County Pine exposed roof trusses, tongue and groove ceiling
boards, cypress brackets, portions of the Ludowici tile roof and bell tower; and
WHEREAS, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School has traditionally been committed to
preserving their unique heritage and promoting their history, including the release of their new
50th Anniversary book written by a renowned local historian; and
WHEREAS, as part of their ongoing campaign to improve the student facilities on their
campus, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School was planning to build a new LE.ED Certified Green
building for new classroom spaces that originally incorporated a portion of the original chapel
and Closter, and
WHEREAS, because the certified letter, which was sent to neighboring businesses,
residents• and organizations per Class 11 permitting requirements. did not mention demolition as
part of the proposed project. and the demolition permit only included elevations showing the
back side of the building, many in the community did not understand that the intention was to
demolish the original church building; and
St. Stephens Resolution for 00-09
Page I of 3
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MIAMI-DADE111
-
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER
111 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128
305-375.4958
Facsimile 305- 3724394
Submitted into the public
record for itegi (s) 55 ,
on 5 ) 1 / i City Clerk
WHEREAS, upon learning that the original church and cloister were going to he
completely demolished and not incorporated into the new design, a group of highly regarded
local preservationists and preservation architects requested a week's "stay of demolition" to try
and assist the school in finding alternate solutions to pure demolition or at least to be afforded
the opportunity to salvage the original building materials; and
WHEREAS, the school and church were not open to the possibility of compromise with
concerned citizens over this historic building, but instead proceeded with its demolition with no
further discussion as to its future even after an earlier assurance that they would listen to
dissident voices;
NOW, THEREFORE, 13E IT RESOLVED, that the Historic Preservation Board, on June 17,
2009, proffers its strong opposition with the unnecessary destruction of one of Miami Dade
County's most historic structures, and vows to support a more ambitious system of educating our
citizenry about those buildings and sites that constitute the cultural, historic and architectural
.lcgacy.of this area and the rich history associated with it.
Alberta Godfrey, Chair`
Miami -Dade County Historic Preservation Board
Prepared by:
r
Ric Ferrer, P cservation Planner
Office of Historic and Archaeological Resources
•
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Date f
St Stephens Resolution for 06M9.doc
IVIiAMIODADE
11111
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER
111 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
MIAMI. FLORIDA 33128
305-375-4958
Facsimile 305- 372-6394
Board Members Vote
Ruth Campbell YES
Adriana Cantillo ABSENT
Roger Carlton Y ES
Rick Cohen YES
Paul George YES
Alberta Godfrey, Chair ABSENT
Hyacinth O. Johnson ABSENT
Robert McKinney YES
Mitch S. Novick YES
JoEllen Phillips YES
Enid C. Pinkney YES
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE
The foregoing instrument was -acknowledged before me this
Alberta Godfrey, Chairperson, Miami -Dade County Historic Preset -
Submitted into the publicn
record fo itein(s) SY .
on 5N1 . City Clerk
1
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CCMIZSiON # DD 564191
EXPIRES: Deal 6, 2010
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by
St Stephens Resolution for 0-09 (2).doc