HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Commissioner Rosado-Resolution No 76-2025Submittal into the pudic
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RESOLUTION NO. 76/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("MIAMI DDA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") ALLOW INTERPRETIVE PLAQUES TO BE PLACED
ON THE BRICKELL BRIDGE TO HONOR THE TEQUESTA FAMILY SCULPTURE
AND ITS SCULPTOR, MR. MANUEL CARBONELL.
WHEREAS, the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Miami, Florida's ("Miami
DDA") mission statement is "to grow, strengthen & promote the economic health and vitality of Downtown
Miami"; and
WHEREAS, the Miami DDA is a quasi -independent public agency of the City of Miami ("City")
charged with making Downtown Miami the most livable urban center in the nation and strengthening its
position as the Epicenter of the Americas; an international center for commerce, culture, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Mr. Manuel Carbonell was selected in a competition to create artwork for the
Brickell Bridge that connects the Brickell District over the Miami River to the Central Business District
("CBD") of Downtown Miami; and
WHEREAS, this was the first time that the Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT")
incorporated architecture, art, and engineering into a bridge design; and
WHEREAS, Master Sculptor Carbonell created a 53-foot bronze public monument titled "The
Pillar of History and the Tequesta Family," located mid -span on the bridge; and
WHEREAS, the bronze bas relief column, 36-feet in height, illustrates a carved graphical narration
of the lives of the Tequesta Indians, Miami's first inhabitants, and features over 150 figures; and
WHEREAS, at the top of the column stands a 17-foot bronze sculpture, titled "Tequesta Family;"
and
WHEREAS, four bas-relief plaques are located on the Brickell Bridge support piers, which honor
Miami's pioneers' Henry Flagler, D.A. Dorsey, William and Mary Brickell, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas,
and Julia Tuttle, and depict these pioneers in their historical settings; and
WHEREAS, twelve bronze bas-reliefs of the Florida Fauna adorn the flagpoles; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 the Miami DDA adopted the 2025 Downtown Miami Master Plan, which
includes the following goals: "Enhance our Position as the Business and Cultural Epicenter of the
Americas," and "Elevate Our Grand Boulevards to Prominence," and "Leverage and Support Further
Growth and Development of Major Arts, Cultural & Entertainment Institutions," and "Elevate Brickell
Avenue to Iconic Status," and "Promote Public Art & Landmarks Along Biscayne Boulevard and Brickell
Avenue;" and
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WHEREAS, on September 4, 2025, Joyce Lowry Gonzalez, Brickell resident and Director of
Carbonell Sculptures, Ltd, presented to the Miami DDA's Urbanism Committee the "Tequesta Family"
sculpture, demonstrating that the sculptures lack interpretive signage, and noted that multiple agencies,
including FDOT, the City of Miami, and Miami -Dade County, had previously deferred responsibility for
this work, leaving the project unresolved; and
WHEREAS, the Miami DDA Urbanism Committee agreed that Miami DDA should take a
leadership role in coordinating the installation of a plaque to properly contextualize the sculpture, and
directed Miami DDA staff to work with FDOT's Bridge Division to secure the necessary permits and
determine final installation and cost estimates; and
WHEREAS, FDOT representatives requested resolutions of support from both the Miami DDA
and the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Miami DDA Board of Directors supports the procurement and installation of a
plaque to properly contextualize the Tequesta Family sculpture located on the Brickell bridge;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 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 Board of Directors of the Miami DDA approves and supports allowing interpretive
plaques to be placed on the Brickell Bridge to honor the Tequesta Family sculpture and its sculptor, Mr.
Manuel Carbonell and requests FDOT its approval for the installation of a plaque for the Tequesta Family
sculpture.
Section 3. The CEO/ Executive Director is further authorized to take any and all steps necessary
to effectuate the installation of a plaque including but not limited to negotiating and executing any and all
agreements or documents necessary, all in forms acceptable to the City Attorney, for the purposes stated
herein.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED t h day of November 2025.
CommisRalph "Rafael" Rosado, Chairman
V
Christina Crespi, CEO/Executive Director
ATTEST:
Elvira Manon
Executive Secretary to the Board of Directors