The Big Picture...Circle

Originally Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006

Its been a few days since my last post because things have been busy, two closings and several new projects announced. Even though all the talk is about a cooling market there is always something going on it seems and of couse time flies when you're having fun! But with all the new development an issue has been on my mind and I think I have come to some conclusions. Back in 1998 the Miami Circle, an ancient Tequesta Indian monument that has been described as America's Stonehenge, was discovered at the mouth of the Miami River while surveying the site for a new development. An impassioned movement ensued that resulted in the protection of the Miami Circle from further development.

However, there were always voices that objected to the sacrifice of prime waterfront real estate for the sake of a long forgotten civilization. Today the issue is manifested in other ways such as the proposed movement of the Urban Development Boundary that protects the Florida Everglads from the Western surges of Miami developers. It is also posing issues on the northern side of the Miami River at the construction site of the new Met Miami. An ancient Tequesta Indian cemetery has been found on the site and construction has been delayed while the developers finds a suitable relocation point on the site...an interesting solution.

So the dilemma in my mind has been to decide which I believe is more vaulable: The land for the possibilty of new development and wealth creation OR the land for its environmental, cultural and historical signifigance and value. But I have realized that the answer, as it so often does, lies in the combination of both sides of the equation. The value of the preservation of natural and historical sites is key to the growth of Miami as a World Class City, small and even large pieces of land that are sacrificed for their intrinisc value will serve to actually raise the value of all the surrounding land and property, near and far in South Florida. Even today the Icon at Brickell by the Related Group the Miami Circle is being respected and incorporated to the current development. If we as a city and a metropolitan area can strike the right balance between nature and structure we can be an example for the rest of the World, and that will be good for everyone's business.