HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-21-0296City of Miami
Resolution R-21-0296
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 9359 Final Action Date: 7/8/2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO BEGIN THE
PROCESS OF DESIGNATING MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD, ALSO
KNOWN AS NORTHWEST 62ND STREET, AS A CULTURAL CORRIDOR AND
TO REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITH DETAILS OF THE
PLAN IN THE NEXT NINETY (90) DAYS.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ("MLK") was the most visible figure
in the nation's Civil Rights movement; and
WHEREAS, MLK was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, was the chief
spokesman of the movement to end racial discrimination in state and federal laws in the 1950s
and 1960s, organized several marches and peaceful protests, and in 1963, organized the
famous March on Washington where he delivered his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech; and
WHEREAS, MLK was tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee
at the young age of 39 and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and
the Congressional Gold Medal; and
WHEREAS, the nation observes MLK annually in January to honor his courageous work
towards freedom and equality; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") has a special claim to MLK as he visited the City
regularly and would stay at the Historic Hampton House in Liberty City ("Hampton House"); and
WHEREAS, the Hampton House was the place to be for the black community and other
notables who stayed there include Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jackie Robinson, and
many others; and
WHEREAS, it is reported that MLK delivered an early version of his "I Have A Dream"
speech at the Hampton House in 1960; and
WHEREAS, in approximately 1981, Northwest 62nd Street was named Martin Luther
King, Jr. Boulevard from Biscayne Boulevard to Hialeah through the Liberty City, Little Haiti, and
Brownsville neighborhoods ("Boulevard"); and
WHEREAS, the City Commission envisions designating the Boulevard as a
neighborhood corridor that reinforces the messages and teachings of MLK and the cultures of
all people of the African Diaspora, including its music, cuisine, art, and traditions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 9359 (Revision:) Printed On: 5/29/2025
File ID: 9359
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Enactment Number: R-21-0296
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to take any and all necessary steps to
begin the process of designating the Boulevard as a cultural corridor and to report back to the
City Commission with a plan in the next ninety (90) days.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ndez, ity Attor ey 7/21/2021
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 9359 (Revision:) Printed on: 5/29/2025