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Category: 2024 Press Releases
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November 13, 2024
—Israel’s northernmost coastal city is about 6 miles from the Lebanese border —
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission will gift an ambulance to the Israeli coastal city of Nahariya on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will take place at City Hall Commission Chambers as the latest gesture of support for Israel, which has faced recent and continual attacks by foreign terrorist organizations.
“Our commitment to the safety and strength of Nahariya and all of Israel is unshakable,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “Our assistance—ambulances and essential aid—serves as critical support in these crucial times.”
The ambulance will be accepted by American friends of Magen David Adom in honor of the people of Nahariya, which is a Sister City of Miami Beach. In recent weeks, Nahariya residents have been told to stay close to protected spaces and shelters amid an escalation in the conflict.
As Israel’s official representative to the International Red Cross, Magen David Adom, led by Global President and former UN ambassador Gilad Erdan, does not receive Israeli government support for its general operations. The organization relies on support from donors in the United States and beyond to acquire dispatch systems, training and equipment.
“My colleagues and I on the Miami Beach City Commission wanted to contribute in any way we could following the heinous Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel,” shared Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. “While I initially proposed a $25,000 donation, I was happy to accept then Mayor Dan Gelber’s brilliant proposal to do something more — something like an ambulance as he put it. We are proud to partner with the American friends of Magen David Adom to provide such an important piece of lifesaving equipment to the people of Nahariya — Miami Beach’s Sister City. Our hearts and prayers are with you.”
Mayor Steven Meiner and Consul General of Israel in Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky will be giving remarks. Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marelly will provide a video message at the ceremony.
“The City of Miami Beach Sister Cities Program was created to facilitate partnership where cities can mutually leverage resources and deliver humanitarian aid,” added Miami Beach Commissioner Laura Dominguez. ““This ambulance is more than just a vehicle — it’s a lifeline. We hope it brings both practical aid and a message of solidarity to the people of Nahariya.”
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WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Miami Beach City Hall Commission Chambers
1700 Convention Center Drive, 3rd floor
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 12, 2024
— Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry will visit Flamingo Park on Wednesday, Nov. 13 —
Miami Beach, FL – Olympic gold medalist Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry will spread a little Team USA spirit at the Flamingo Park after-school program on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 3-4 p.m. The park is located at 1000 12 Street.
The daughter of City of Miami Beach employee Antwan Terry, Twanisha won her Olympic gold in the women's 4x100 meter relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Twanisha ‘TeeTee’ Terry back to Miami Beach,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Laura Dominguez. “Her dedication and achievements inspire not only our youth but our entire community. TeeTee showed us all that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. We’re thrilled to celebrate her success and honor her.”
The Olympian’s visit will include music, an inspirational message for the children, photos and track relays.
The Miami Beach Commission will also be declaring Nov. 13, 2024 as Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry Day in the City of Miami Beach at their Presentations & Awards Commission Meeting in City Hall at 5 p.m. that same day.
“TeeTee” attended Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School and Miami Northwestern Senior High School. She obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Southern California, where she honed her track and field skills.
In addition to Olympic gold, “TeeTee” earned two gold medals at the World Athletics Championships in the women's 4x100 meter relays at the 2022 and 2023 events. At age 19, she ran the 100 meters in 10.99 seconds, becoming the joint fourth fastest under-20 woman in history.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 12, 2024
— MBFD’s Public Safety Communications Division stands out as one of only 11 “Tri-ACE” accredited agencies worldwide —
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach Fire Department Public Safety Communications Division has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching.
IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
The Miami Beach Fire Department Public Safety Communications Division initially obtained ACE in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) status in November 2018. The center was recertified for the second time in 2021 and has now achieved its third recertification in 2024. In addition to maintaining Emergency Fire Dispatch and Emergency Police Dispatch accreditations, the division stands out as one of only 11 “Tri-ACE” accredited agencies worldwide. This is notable among the 4,080 centers globally that utilize these protocols.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team,” said Miami Beach Fire Chief Digna Abello. “Maintaining this level of excellence ensures that our community continues to receive the highest standard of emergency response and care.”
IAED will present Miami Beach Public Safety Communications Division with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement at the Navigator Conference in Orlando, Florida in April 2025.
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at the Miami Beach Public Safety Communications Division for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 8, 2024
— The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach will offer employment assistance as well as other essential services when it hosts a Homeless Resource Fair on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Miami Beach Police Department.
“The Miami Beach community always strives to treat homeless individuals with compassion, dignity and respect,” explained Miami Beach Vice Mayor Alex Fernandez. “Our Homeless Resource Fair is one example of how our community comes together to find long-term solutions that rise above political expediency.”
The event will feature service tables and mobile units with a variety of available resources on the south side of the Miami Beach Police Department at 1100 Washington Ave.
The Miami Beach Office of Housing and Community Services will offer free transportation to and from the Homeless Resource Fair at the following locations:
- Homeless Outreach Services Office, 771 17 Street
- Patrick’s Church, 3716 Garden Avenue
- 13 Street and West Avenue
- Calvary Chapel, 7141 Indian Creek Drive
- Lummus Park, 10 Street and Ocean Drive
A number of community organizations that provide homeless services, community resources along with medical and health services will be represented at the event. Free snacks and refreshments will also be provided.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 6, 2024
— ‘Boot Camp in Paradise’ in Miami Beach —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach is proud to present “Boot Camp in Paradise: World War II in Miami Beach,” a special exhibit opening on Veterans Day, to commemorate the hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops who trained in Miami Beach from 1942 to 1945.
The three-month outdoor exhibit, running through the end of January, will be held in Galería Ocean Drive, a new display space located in Lummus Park along Ocean Drive between 11 and 12 streets. The exhibit will officially open on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. as part of the city’s annual Veterans Day parade and celebration. Attendees will explore more than 150 photographs and WWII memorabilia displayed across more than 30 weatherproof panels.
"Miami Beach played a crucial role in preparing these brave heroes to face the atrocities of war,” said Mayor Steven Meiner. "Let us always remember the debt of gratitude we owe to those who were instrumental in helping America and the Allies to victory."
Exhibitgoers will step back in time to when Miami Beach served as a vital training ground for the U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Training Command, known today as the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command. Throughout the City, hotels and apartment buildings were converted into barracks, and lobbies, ballrooms, theaters and retail spaces became classrooms. Even fine-dining restaurants were repurposed into mess halls. City parks and golf courses turned into parade grounds, while the lively beachfront was filled with troops in training. Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold estimated in 1944 that without Miami Beach’s accommodations, the war effort would have been delayed by six to eight months.
Curated by the Office of the Mayor and Commission, in cooperation with The Wolfsonian-FIU and supported by the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the free exhibition will also feature family-friendly activities such as guided tours, social media activations, and a photo prop designed to look like the iconic WWII-era Willys Jeep.
Galería Ocean Drive will continue to serve as a year-round exhibit space. With rotating exhibits expected to open every three months, the space aims to celebrate Miami Beach’s rich history. For more details, please visit: www.miamibeachfl.gov/galeria.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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November 4, 2024
—And unveil a three-month exhibition: Boot Camp in Paradise: WWII in Miami Beach —
Miami Beach, FL – Join the City of Miami Beach for the 16th annual Veterans Day parade and celebration at 11:11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. The event features veteran and military groups, marching bands, an F-16 flyover, local businesses and community organizations along iconic Ocean Drive beginning at 5 Street.
The start time of the parade coincides with the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which was originally intended to commemorate the armistice ending World War I. Veterans Day was later expanded to honor American veterans of all wars.
This year’s celebration will also mark the opening of a free, three-month outdoor exhibition: “Boot Camp in Paradise: World War II in Miami Beach.” The exhibit will include 30, state-of-the-art panels featuring a selection of photographs and printed materials from 1942-1945, when Miami Beach hosted over 600,000 U.S. troops training for combat in WWII. Curated by the Office of the Mayor and City Commission in cooperation with the Wolfsonian-FIU and with support from the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority, it will run through the end of January in Lummus Park along Ocean Drive between 11 and 12 streets in a space being called Galería Ocean Drive.
“The ‘Boot Camp in Paradise’ exhibition, sponsored by the Office of the Mayor and City Commission, is a long-overdue recognition of the immense contributions made by the service members who trained here during World War II,” said Mayor Steven Meiner. “We are prouder today than ever to honor their legacy. This exhibit serves as both a tribute and a reminder of Miami Beach’s vital role in preparing these heroes for the challenges ahead, ensuring their legacy lives on.”
The beaches and hotels in Miami Beach served as a training center for military troops during World War II. Many service members fell in love with Miami Beach and returned after the war. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion organized parades for more than 50 years to salute the troops who sacrificed so much to defend our nation’s freedom. The city has continued this tradition for more than a decade, even holding a virtual celebration in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made it impractical to hold the usual celebration.
The largest parade of the day in South Florida takes route on Ocean Drive from 5 to 15 streets. At noon, the festivities move to Lummus Park as the All Veteran Parachute Team takes to the skies over South Beach for a demonstration. CJ’s Crab Shack and Starbucks will provide breakfast for the veterans. The event continues in Lummus Park with a wreath-laying ceremony. Dippin' Dots ice cream will be available for purchase.
Parade participation has grown from approximately 50 people to more than 1,000 over the years — including students, organizations, businesses, military groups and public officials. The event includes a presentation of the colors by the Miami Beach Police and Fire Department Honor Guards, a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and a moment of silence in honor of our First World War Armistice Day tradition. There will also be addresses by military officials from Southern Command, an MBPD Honor Guard 21-gun salute and a performance by a Taps bugle.
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WHAT: 16th Veterans Day parade and celebration
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 11:11 a.m.
WHERE: 5 Street and Ocean Drive
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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October 31, 2024
— The City Commission recently updated protections for endangered sea turtles —
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission has updated the city’s 18-year-old protections habitat for endangered sea turtles to include lights visible from the beach, integrating interior lighting standards for hotels and commercial properties as well as limiting fireworks to barges that affect the more than 7 miles of beachfront.
“We are encouraging everyone to do their part to help preserve this endangered species and comply with the ordinance by minimizing unnecessary artificial light sources visible from our beaches,” explained Miami Beach City Commissioner David Suarez, who sponsored the amendment to the city’s Turtle Nesting Protection ordinance that was approved on second reading during yesterday’s Oct. 30 meeting. The original ordinance was adopted in 2006.
Protected by the US Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida Statute Chapter 370, sea turtles, their nests or hatchlings may not be harmed or harassed under penalty of law. The City of Miami Beach is a nesting ground for three species of protected sea turtles: Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback. Handling of turtles and nests is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Sea turtle nesting in Miami Beach is from April 1 to October 31st.
The ordinance also expands the applicability to include properties west of the Coastal Construction Control Line, codifies special event requirements to protect sea turtles and encourages red and amber filters for authorized vehicles that may need to access the beach at night. The Miami Beach Police Department has been piloting these light filters during the 2024 season.
In urban coastal cities like Miami Beach, sea turtle hatchlings become disoriented by artificial lighting and never find their way to the ocean. The city has a “Flip the Switch” campaign and hosts an annual family-friendly Turtle Fest event to provide education. The city asks the community to keep lights low, long and shielded to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on the beachfront and educate residents and businesses about precautions they can take to avoid disturbing sea turtles during nesting season. Visit www.mbrisingabove.com/seaturtles for additional information.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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October 30, 2024
— Providing $957,151.36 to local organizations —
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission has unanimously voted on nearly doubling its planned one-time contribution to local arts and culture organizations that have been hard hit by the loss of state funds for cultural and museum grants during the 2025 fiscal year.
“Miami Beach's arts and culture institutions not only provide jobs and tremendous economic impact to our city, but also extend benefits and free programming to our residents and students,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, who urged her colleagues to approve the funding request. “As we transition from a party-till-you-drop city to one with robust diverse entertainment options, this one-time stop-gap funding will continue to cement our reputation for a city which values our cultural anchors.”
The additional city funding would come to about $960,000 over and above what the city typically contributes to its 16 different museums, performance venues and similar organizations that collectively provide a wealth of cultural offerings. The commission previously included a one-time expenditure of $492,676 in the upcoming budget to close the funding gap, but that represented only about 50% of the lost funds. The additional increase would bring the percentage to 100% of the 48% State Legislature recommended funding at $932,151.36.
Funding in the amount of $25,000 is also being provided for the South Beach Jazz Festival, which will take place over four days between January 9-12, 2025 at various locations throughout the city.
The City of Miami Beach was the first municipality in the State of Florida to attempt to make up the state budgetary shortfall — with St. Petersburg passing a similar measure to support its local arts organizations as well.
According to a 2023 study by Americans for the Arts, the City of Miami Beach received a $334.9 million economic boost from its arts and culture focus in the prior year. The study looked at 373 diverse communities and regions from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
The city funding gap measure will be shared among the following 17 Miami Beach-based cultural institutions and organizations in varying amounts:
- The Bass Museum
- The Dance Now! Ensemble
- FUNDarte
- Holocaust Memorial
- Jewish Museum of Florida—FIU
- Living Arts Trust (O Cinema)
- Miami City Ballet
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden
- Miami Design Preservation League
- Miami Music Festival
- Miami New Drama
- New World Symphony
- O, Miami
- The Rhythm Foundation
- South Beach Jazz Festival
- South Florida Art Center (Oolite Arts)
- The Wolfsonian—FIU
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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October 30, 2024
— 12 artists will exhibit one-of-a-kind art projects and installations at area hotels with $35,000 in prize money up for grabs during Art Week Miami Beach —
Miami Beach, FL – The City of Miami Beach, in collaboration with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), is pleased to announce the return of No Vacancy, Miami Beach — a juried art competition that supports and celebrates local artists, provokes critical discourse and encourages the public to experience Miami Beach’s famed hotels as art destinations. For the fifth edition of the competition, No Vacancy, Miami Beach 2024 will include 12 participating artists and collectives that will present site-specific works at 12 different hotels around Miami Beach. The works will be displayed from Nov. 14 to Dec. 12.
Each selected artist or collective will receive $10,000 to create an installation at an assigned hotel. Participants were selected from an open call for submissions issued by the city and by representatives from the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Committee, Cultural Arts Council and MBVCA.
For the fifth iteration, two artists will be awarded a combined total of $35,000 in prizes. One will receive a $10,000 public prize from the GMCVB and the other will be awarded a $25,000 juried prize from a panel of art world professionals.
Participating Hotels and Projects No Vacancy, Miami Beach 2024:
• Avalon Hotel: Miami Artist Julia Zurilla presents “-- .. .- .-- -..- (MIA WX),” a multimedia project that combines experimental videos and circular photographs, juxtaposing images from past and present that explore nostalgia and contemporary environmental realities. The installation layout is arranged in Morse code, a visual system composed of dashes, dots and spaces that is also known as "the lifesaving language." This project reflects both the urgency of climate communication and the adaptability of the installation, allowing any word associated with the project’s theme to be expressed and tailored to various spaces.
• The Betsy Hotel: Artist [dNASAb] presents "Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Micro-verse," an AI-assisted film that dives into the unseen world of microplastics and microorganisms and explores their hidden interactions. This installation transforms the spherical form of the structure into a dynamic, translucent water droplet, revealing
an intricate, fictional ecosystem at a microscopic scale. "Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Micro-verse" serves as both a meditation on the fragility of our environment and an experimental use of cutting-edge technology to bring new dimensions of environmental storytelling to life.
• Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club: Artist Marielle Plaisir presents “Rhapsody for a Beloved World.” Through a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach, Plaisir strives to resist harmful histories and offers hope for a better future. Plaisir draws attention to the interconnections between humans, the universality of fractured identities and the power of recognizing and describing inner worlds. Plaisir's socially engaged works transcend temporal and cultural boundaries, serving as visual meditations on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The color-drenched collage features elaborate compositions of elements, combining intricate botanical images of lush foliage with salvaged vintage black and white photographs as well as elements of landscape paintings.
• The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club: Artist Joshua Aronson presents the site specific installation, "Florida Boys,” featuring the photograph “Spring “(2023–2024). The translucent fabric allows daylight to pass through, transforming the photograph into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. As air circulates in the lobby, the suspended artwork gently moves, creating a living, evolving presence that shifts with the changing light throughout the day. “Spring” depicts a serene moment of young men floating in a Florida spring, a scene that speaks to themes of unity, tranquility, and the expansive nature of modern masculinity. Set in Miami Beach, the installation resonates with the city’s unique convergence of natural beauty and urban vibrancy, while also nodding to its legacy as a haven for queer culture. The subtle interaction of the photograph with its environment invites viewers into a contemplative space, echoing the rhythmic pace of the city while offering moments of quiet reflection and connection.
• Esmé Miami Beach: Artist collaborative We Are Nice’n Easy’s “Soft Squeeze” represents a site-specific artwork rooted in the dynamic interplay between nature and culture inherent to South Florida. With a focus on public projects within its practice, Nice’n Easy believes in the transformative power of public art and works to elevate Miami’s cultural identity. This playful creation, however seemingly compressed, creates a visual tension that highlights the clash and fusion of natural and cultural elements. As viewers move around and underneath the artwork, the recognizable shapes shift and merge, creating an ever-evolving visual narrative that reflects the fluidity and complexity of Miami’s subtropical environment. This work not only captures the playful spirit of Miami Beach but also prompts deeper reflection on how cultural artifacts and natural habitats coexist and influence one another.
• Faena Hotel: Artist Magnus Sodamin’s “Reflections of our Environment” offers lush, nature-inspired treatment that explores changing global narratives through spiritual inquiry and spontaneous creativity. Sodamin’s process is cathartic and vigorous, resulting in work that reflects the beauty of the natural world while exploring the states of climate and environment. His vibrant works are full of energetic gestures that are both joyful and turbulent, indicative of the artist’s passionate sense of awe and quiet reverence for nature.
• Hotel Croydon: Artist Dennis Scholl’s work “Untitled (Dodecagon Drawing Grid), 2024” comes across as an obsessive drawing practice. Scholl is interested in the dodecagon 12-sided figure and uses it as an organizing principle in his practice. This presentation consists of up to 100 unique dodecagon drawings shown in a grid. The dodecagon reminds us of the hours on a clock, months in a year or signs of the zodiac — in
essence the passage of time.
• International Inn on the Bay: Artist Asser Saint-Val’s “Aquatic Incursion-MHEDRAYNGT” is a series of amorphous air sculptural installations that integrate into the architecture of South Beach. These organic, sea life-inspired structures create a surreal, otherworldly aesthetic that contrasts with the iconic art deco buildings of the city. The sculptures appear to invade the familiar built environment, generating a captivating interplay between manmade and the sea. The organic forms of the sculptures are inspired by the ongoing discourse around sea level rise and the encroachment of sea life into urban spaces. The underwater quality of these sculptural installations are designed to evoke a sense of wonder prompting viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between human activities as the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
• Kimpton Surfcomber: Artist Adler Guerrier’s ”Untitled (objects, landscape, and things. At the still point of mottled formations and a scruple of compassion)” presents a network of images, places and haunts as the broad errant reaches of here. The work builds on relations to the ways we shape public space, embellish the lived environment within various abstractions, botanicals and sentiments while insisting on expanded views of the commons.
• Kimpton Palomar Hotel: Artist GeoVanna Gonzalez presents “Moving Interlude.” Inspired by the theories of sociologist Henri Lefebvre, Gonzalez’s work investigates the intersection of urban design, cultural values and spatial justice. Gonzalez explores how elements of urban architecture can inadvertently perpetuate social inequalities through exclusionary designs, such as antisocial architecture, which subtly controls behavior and restricts movement.
• Royal Palm South Beach: Artist Philip Lique, presents “YOU ARE HERE,” an interactive installation that serves as an homage to the commonly seen wayfinding maps in public spaces. The work offers a chance to recalibrate one's own spatial and contemplative awareness. The artist aims to engage hotel guests through design, sculpture and cultural programming by intervening in an often overlooked architectural element — the floor. “YOU ARE HERE” reassigns the lobby's purpose — offering a scale shift for guests to consider as they orient themselves within either a single building, city block, Miami Beach and beyond.
• Sherry Frontenac Hotel: Artist Patricia Cooke’s “Anodyne” praises the healing power of South Florida’s mangrove systems. Mangroves are a crucial facet of the South Florida landscape. Their complicated root systems provide filtration and distribution for both fresh and saltwater, as well as acting as attachment sites to marine organisms that filter water with their bodies — a double source of healing. The quilts of “Anodyne” strive to recreate the unique view of both roots disappearing under the water’s surface and the menagerie tangle of the roots themselves. The use of calming pastel colors supports a similar calming experience of kayaking or canoeing through the mangroves, offering a sense of tranquility knowing that these ancient trees are hard at work protecting and healing our world.
Funding for this project is provided by the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority as well as the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. For additional information, please visit mbartsandculture.org.
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About the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Committee
The Art in Public Places Committee is a seven-member City Commission-appointed citizen’s board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program allocates funds totaling 2% of hard costs for city projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the Art in Public Places Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance.
About the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council
The Cultural Arts Council (CAC) is an 11-member body created in 1997 for the purpose of developing, coordinating and promoting the performing and visual arts in the City of Miami Beach. The CAC serves as arts advocates before governmental bodies, coordinates collective marketing initiatives for the local arts community and funds not-for-profit arts organizations. Since the program’s inception, the CAC has awarded approximately $18 million in cultural arts grants, supporting thousands of performances, exhibits, and other cultural activities in Miami Beach.
About the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA)
The MBVCA is a seven-member authority, appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, with the goal of encouraging, developing and promoting the image of Miami Beach locally, nationally and internationally as an outstanding tourist destination. To this end, the MBVCA strategically focuses its funding investments in a balanced manner, fostering outstanding existing programs, stimulating new activities and encouraging partnerships. The MBVCA is committed to a careful, long-term plan for allocation of resources to help Miami Beach thrive as a destination with something for everyone.
About the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is an accredited, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or call 1.888.76.Miami (US/Canada only) or 305.447.7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305.539.3000. Meeting planners may call 1.800.933.8448 (US/Canada only) or 305.539.3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Greater Miami & Miami Beach, join the conversation by following us on our social media channels at Facebook.com/visitmiami, Twitter.com/visitmiami, Instagram.com/visitmiami, TikTok.com/@visitmiami and Pinterest.com/visit_miami Pinterest.com/visit_miami.
Press Contact
cityofmiamibeach@culturalcounsel.com
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
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October 30, 2024
— The veteran executive will oversee hundreds of municipal assets for the City of Miami Beach —
Miami Beach, FL – Veteran facilities executive and real estate professional Ron Mumaw has been selected unanimously by the Miami Beach City Commission to lead the city’s Facilities and Fleet Management Department, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the city’s more than 100 municipal buildings, nearly 1,400 vehicles and other assets.
“Ron has a proven track record of managing complex facilities, properties and assets, including 2,200 JP Morgan bank branch locations,” explained Miami Beach City Manager Eric T. Carpenter in announcing Mumaw’s appointment. “I am confident that his 26 years of experience, training and professional background make him the ideal candidate for this position.”
Prior to joining the city, Mumaw served as vice president of account/facility operations with Lessen Inc., where he managed a $161 million budget. He also was director of real estate and facilities at MISO Energy and regional account director facilities with CBRE/Eli Lilly Elanco among other positions.
“I am looking forward to working with the city’s very capable Facilities and Fleet team to address the challenges of transitioning city vehicles to greater energy efficiency and moving toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Mumaw said. “The city is already a leader in sustainable and resilient building practices, which we will continue to expand upon.”
The National Association of Fleet Administrators recently named the City of Miami Beach to its NAFA 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for the third year in a row. Miami Beach is on target to achieve an ambitious goal of converting half of the entire municipal fleet to a combination of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles next year.
Mumaw holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Purdue University. He is a Certified Facility Manager, Sustainable Facility Professional, Certified Project Manager and also holds a Facility Management Professional credential.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
