HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Melissa Meyer-MDC HEPB Resolution 09-07MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STEPHEN P. C'LARK CENTER
111 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
i IAMI, FLORIDA 33128
305-375.4958
Facsimile 305- 372-6394
Submitted into the public
record fo �te
on 5� City Clerk
INHAINH-DADS: COUNTY
HISTORIC PRiSE'RVAI ION BOARD
RESOLU'11ON NO. 09-07
The Demolition of St. Stephen's Chapel, Coconut Grove. 1{L
WHEREAS, EAS, 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
`THERE -AS, the church's first congregation included many ol' Coconut Grove's most
important pioneer figures, including Dirk and Mary Barr Munroe, Flora McFarlane, Dr. Eleanor
Galt Simmons, J.VJ. Ewan. Conunodore ILalph Munroe and William J. Matheson: and
WHEREAS, in the J950s the church and cloister were convened into classrooms and
gallery space, altering; and removing sot.ne ofthe original features ofthe buildings but leaavine-in
tact the actual structures, Dade County Pine exposed roof trusses, tongue and groove ceiling
boards. cypress brackets, portions of the Ludoavici tile roof .Ind bell tower; .and
WHEREAS, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School has traditionally been committed to
preserving their unique heritage and promoting thee` histom including the release of their new
501h 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 co build a new LE.LD C(Irnifi`d Green
buildingfor new classroom spaces that originally incorporated a portion of the original chapel
and c loster, and
WHEREAS, because the certified letter, avhich was sent to neighboring businesses,
residents and organizations per Class 11 permitting re�quirenients. did not mention demolition as
part of the proposed project, and the demolition permit only included elevations shoaving the
back side of the building, many in the community did not understand that the, intention was to
demolish the original church building; and
Si. Stephens Resolution for 06-09
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M) _ Me��
y
IW AMI-DADE
MtAMI-DADS COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATIONi BOARD
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER
I11 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128
305-375-4958
Facsimile 305- 372-6394
Submitted into the public
record for ite(s) 5
on h / 11 City Clerk
WIIERE.AS, 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; irtaterials; and
WHEREAS, the school and church were not open to the possiblilty of compromise With
concerned citizens over this historic building, but instead proceeded With its demolition with no
fiuther discussion as to its future even after an earlier assurance that they Would listen to
dissident voices;
NOW, THEREFORE, 13E 1T RESOLVED, that the Historic Preservation Board, on June 17,
2009. pronm 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
legacy 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' servatiorn Planner
Office of Historic and Archaeological Resources
St Stephens Resolution for 06-09.doc
.. . r ,
MIAMI DADE M-0
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER
111 N. W. FIRST STREET
SUITE 695
IAIAMI. FLORIDA 33128
305-375-4958
Facsimile 305- 372-6394
Board Members Vote
Ruth Campbell
YES
Adriana Camillo
ABSENT
Roger
,Carlton
YES
Rick Cohen
YES
Paul George
YES
Alberta Godfrey. Chair
ABSENT
Hyacinth O. Johnson
ABSENT
Robert McKinney
YES
Mitch S. Novick
YES
JoEflen Phillips
YES
Enid C. Pinkney
YES
STATF, OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF NIIAMI-DADE
Submitted into the publiq�
record Ifo fte �sCity , I V.
on
5W
Clerk
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me thisn by
Alberta Godfrey, Chairperson, Miami -Dade County Historic Presenatioolar_�a
rrersonally known *' ear produced identification
Z cat ' ration produced
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EXPIRES: DX,-,TkbC1r6,2010
St StepliAms Resolution for 06-09 (2).doc