A question on the August 20th ballot is related to the potential future location of Fire Station #1, as well as the fate of the South Shore Community Center.
With the city having previously approved an upgraded fire station at the location of the South Shore Community Center – which is set to be demolished – a group of residents have appealed to the Commissioners to consider an alternative location for the project.
The City Commission then voted unanimously to put the question to the voters regarding the potential location of the Fire Station in the park. The ultimate goal with this alternative would be to allow for the retention of the existing Morris Lapidus community center while expanding/upgrading the community’s fire station needs.
The Miami Herald editorial board recently endorsed the ballot question.
For more background on the history of the Morris Lapidus South Shore Community Center, please read the 2020 guest blog post from David McKinney: click here.
Potential New Fire Station Location
The new proposal would locate the new Fire Station along Alton Road between 10th and 11th street, west of the running track. The current proposed design would require a shift of the track slightly to the east, as in the diagram below. The design is similar to what was approved at the site of the South Shore Community Center, but has been rotated to fit the site along Alton Road. In the new proposal, the restored Jack Stewart “Apollo Mural” would be installed on the east side of the structure, making it visible from the running track and Flamingo Park.
The new location is endorsed by Fire Chief Digna Abello as well as former Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez and Fire Union President Adonis Garcia. The ballot question is required due to the County Charter which requires referenda on construction within parks. The question is non-binding, and the final decision would be made by the City Commission if the question is approved by the voters.
According to the city, Fire Station 1 – which serves South Beach and the adjacent islands – has outgrown its capabilities since the original station was built in the 1960’s. Miami Beach requires a Category 5-rated emergency command center, which necessitates the new life safety construction project.
For more information on voting times and locations, please visit the Miami-Dade County Department of Elections: click here.
Additional initial renderings from the City of Miami Beach may be found below.
