Help Dade Heritage Trust Stay in its Home

January 12, 2021
Share to printerest
Share to fb
Share to twitter
Share to mail
Share to print
Early photo of Dade Heritage Trust building
Early photo of Dade Heritage Trust building Photo: HistoryMiami

Update: The meeting has been rescheduled for late February.

For 44 years, the charming 1905 office of Dr. James Jackson, tucked in between Brickell’s high-rises, has been the home of the non-profit Dade Heritage Trust (DHT). Their advocacy program helps rescue, restore and adaptively reuse many historic venues throughout the county. But their historically designated building is now in danger of being moved and the property sold to developers.

“Dade Heritage Trust wants to stay on Brickell in our lovely historic building that symbolizes early times in the prestigious neighborhood south of the Miami River,” says Chris Rupp, DHT director. “We are known as ‘that little house on the corner’ but we have a big mission and bigger love for Miami!”

The Miami City Commission is considering selling the land and moving the pale yellow wooden building to an unknown location. 

City Eyes Sale

Rupp says they have lovingly maintained the building at an average cost of $30,000 per year and have provided all upkeep and insurance. Nevertheless, the building is owned by the city of Miami, and DHT has been the city’s tenant on a month-to-month basis.

In 2016, Miami voters approved a charter amendment to enter into a long-term lease, which would provide a stationary place for DHT to accomplish its mission. In a move that the DHT says goes against the will of the voters, the commission is exploring selling the land to a private developer.

That may provide a short-term cash gain to the city, says Rupp, but the substantial costs for the relocation – fixing damage that the 115-year-old building could sustain in the move and providing utilities at a new site – would negatively impact that gain.

DHT provides many community-enhancing programs from this headquarters building, including presenting original exhibits and school tours, and serves as a visitor center that is accessible to the thousands of Brickell-area residents, workers and tourists, as well as providing walking and bike tours of the area.

“With an eye towards the future, we have long-term plans for additional community and educational programs that showcase this jewel of our city’s history,” she says.

How to Help

The DHT is asking Miamians to leave a comment here urging the commission to let them stay in the building.

They can also contact city commissioners here:

Mayor Francis Suarez

Commissioner Jeffrey Watson 

Vice-Chairman Ken Russell 

Commissioner Manolo Reyes 

Commissioner Joe Carollo 

Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla