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File ID: #18170
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING THE
RESTRICTIONS AND CO -DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 10 STREET BETWEEN
NORTHWEST 2 AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 1 AVENUE AS "HAROLD L. FRANCIS
WAY" IN HONOR OF HAROLD L. FRANCIS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO
EFFECTUATE THE CODESIGNATION; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-25-0399
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18170 Final Action Date:9/25/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING THE
RESTRICTIONS AND CO -DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 10 STREET BETWEEN
NORTHWEST 2 AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 1 AVENUE AS "HAROLD L. FRANCIS
WAY" IN HONOR OF HAROLD L. FRANCIS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO
EFFECTUATE THE CODESIGNATION; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
WHEREAS, Harold L. Francis (1908-1991), a mortician, founded Francis Funeral Home
one of Miami's first black -owned funeral homes in the mid-1930's in Overtown with two other
partners and was the first mortician to introduce Cadillac limousines into the funeral profession;
and
WHEREAS, Harold L. Francis also established the first ambulance service for the black
community, using a fleet of 24 fin -tail Cadillacs, which remained in business for some 40 years;
and
WHEREAS, Harold L. Francis was a founding member of the Ebenezer United
Methodist Church and was an active member of the New Providence Lodge Free and Accepted
Prince Hall Masonry, earning his 33 degree rank — the highest and last degree in ancient craft
masonry; and
WHEREAS, as a mortician, Harold L. Francis worked part-time at several other funeral
homes in the black community, selflessly teaching other morticians the trade; and
WHEREAS, Harold L. Francis sponsored a number of youth baseball and softball teams,
providing uniforms and equipment and paying for the expenses associated with travel to
championship games throughout the County and State; and
WHERAS, Harold L. Francis was also one of the first known black man to own
racehorses; and
WHEREAS, Harold L. Francis, as a leading businessman, was well-known, respected
and loved by those in the community; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 14317, adopted on September 26, 2024, provides that the
restrictions related to street co -designations, including the distance requirements, contained
in Section 54-137 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida ("City Code"), may be waived by a
four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the City Commissioners, or an unanimous vote of the
quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation,
death, suspension, or physical incapacitation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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 Miami City Commission hereby co -designates Northwest 10th Street
between Northwest 2nd Avenue and Northwest 1st Avenue as "Harold L. Francis Way" in honor
of his dedicated service and lasting impact on the community.
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to effectuate this co -
designation, including the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works; the Miami -Dade County Commissioner of District 5; the
United States Postal Service; and, if a State of Florida road, to the Florida Department of
Transportation, District Six, for sign installation within the newly designated roadway.
Section 5. If any section, clause, or provision of this resolution is declared invalid, the
remainder shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
rge Wys•ng III, C y ttor -y 9/16/2025