Preserving History: Restoring Miami High

This morning, the City of Miami celebrated the Grand Opening of the restored Miami High School building. Our city's first high school is now home to a historic classroom, complete with an antique wooden 1900-era student school desk, historic photos of students at the building and a 1902 map of Florida. The building is open for tours, educational meeting space and a new City Parks Office.
The opening event was a proud occasion for this city, as we celebrated the preservation of another historic landmark and successful collaborative effort with the Dade Heritage Trust.
My administration understands how important it is to recognize and preserve our many historic treasures, and we know that by identifying and designating properties of major significance, we encourage the preservation and protection of Miami's important historic, architectural, and archeological resources.
The City of Miami's Historic Preservation Ordinance provides a process by which individual sites, historic districts, and archeological zones can be officially recognized.
Within the City of Miami, there are now almost 100 designated historic sites, districts and archeological zones. These designated properties include individual sites, such as private homes, schools, fire stations, churches, municipal buildings, bridges, and a cemetery, as well as the Morningside, South River Drive, Buena Vista East, Bayside, and Spring Garden historic districts.
During the event, I also had the pleasure to meet Miss Lamar Louis Curry, the 102 years young former Miami High teacher and local philanthropist who helped make the restoration possible. As Mayor, it is a privilege to recognize the unsung heroes of our community, whose dedication and spirit can serve as an inspiration to us all.


-Manny

My Address to the Brookings Institution Board of Trustees

This week, I had the honor to address the Brookings Board of Trustees during their board meeting in Miami, where I discussed Miami's status as a global city, our strong connection to Latin America, and the challenge of investing in our cities.

Click HERE to read my remarks, as prepared.


-Manny

March is Bicycle Action Month in the City of Miami

I believe that together we can make Miami a city where residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe riding on bicycles. In the last year, with the assistance of residents like you, the invaluable and dedicated service of departments throughout the City of Miami and the Bicycle Action Committee, and the unanimous support of this Commission, the Bicycle Action Plan has become an important guide to planning the future growth of our city.

Today, the City has a Bicycle Coordinator, an internationally acclaimed event - the monthly Bike Miami Days, and a number of bicycle facility projects in the works. I am proud of the strides we have made to promote bicycling here in the City of Miami, but there is still a lot that we can do to help make this city more bicycle friendly.
With that in mind, and in recognition of the invaluable work of the Bicycle Action Committee, I have proclaimed March 2009 "Bicycle Action Month". I invite you to celebrate this important occasion by joining us in promoting cycling, whether for fitness, recreation or transportation.
For more information about bicycling in Miami, please visit http://www.bike-miami.com/.

I hope to see you in Downtown Miami on Saturday, March 14th for Bike Miami Days.

-Manny

Saturday was a Great Day to be Downtown

Bike Miami Days returned for its fourth monthly event in the heart of Miami this Saturday. Held in conjuncton with Flagler Fest and the Humane Society of Greater Miami's Walk for the Animals, this event really brought our community together for an incredible variety of free and family-friendly activities. I'd like to thank all of you who came out, introduced yourselves and shared with your me your thoughts. I hope you will all come out in March, when we celebrate the City of Miami's Bicycle Action Month with a special Bike Miami Days on Saturday, March 14th.

For more information, please visit www.Bike-Miami.com.

-Manny

Mayors Meet with President Obama

Today, I led a delegation of close 80 mayors who were invited for a meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden in Washington, as well as with members of his cabinet, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Senior Staff in Washington D.C.
As President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and mayor of one of the most amazing cities in the country, I was honored to be invited to this meeting with President Obama and his Cabinet to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the President’s plan for mortgage foreclosure relief.
It is refreshing and encouraging to see that we have an Administration who understands that cities are the economic engines of America and that mayors are in the front lines of the economic crisis, and are in touch with what needs to be done to stimulate our economy and get people back to work.

Click HERE to see President Obama’s and Vice President Biden’s remarks to the mayors.

Click HERE to view the Mayor's Press Conference in Washington D.C.

- Manny

Bike Miami Days Returns This Saturday February 21!

Join me tomorrow, February 21, for Bike Miami Days, this time in conjunction with Flagler Fest, on Saturday February 21, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. I will be holding a rally with city leaders and participants of Flagler Fest and Bike Miami Days at 10:30 am, at Lummus Landing, to promote bike and pedestrian-friendly streets.

Bike Miami Days is a great event to provide cyclists, skaters and walkers with an easy and fun way to explore the city. The event closes major thoroughfares of Downtown, Miami, so that bikers, skaters, and pedestrians can travel freely and safely. The first three Bike Miami Days have brought thousands of people to the heart of the city. This time we are joining with Flagler Fest, which will include an antique and historical festival in the heart of Downtown that features vintage automobiles on display for the Downtown Classic Car Show, historical tours of Flagler Street, and an Arts /Crafts & Collectibles market. The festival will be located on Flagler Street, from Biscayne Blvd. to the Miami-Dade Courthouse.

For a full list of activities, street closures, and the complete map for the event, please log on to www.bike-miami.com

- Manny

Miami Benefits from Economic Recovery Plan

Today, I had the opportunity to discuss how the American Recovery Reinvestment Act will help Miami and other cities around the country on CBS4.

You can watch the video online.

CLICK HERE