Miami rejects proposals — for now — to change use of historic City Hall

MIAMI — Proposals from the Museum of Miami and Pan American World Airways, LLC to use the historic Miami City Hall building in Coconut Grove have now been formally filed with the city, but a city spokesperson told Local 10 News on Thursday that officials are “not considering a change in use for the Dinner Key facilities at this time.”

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The proposals come after Miami commissioners voted 4-1 last week to continue using the historic waterfront building at 3500 Pan American Drive for City Commission meetings, even as much of the city government prepares to move to a new administrative complex near Miami Freedom Park.

The building, constructed in 1933 as a Pan American World Airways seaplane terminal, has served as Miami City Hall since 1954.

The Museum of Miami and Pan Am had previously pitched potential uses for the site.

The Museum of Miami proposed preserving the historic terminal while building a dedicated museum nearby. The museum said the site could become a civic campus featuring Miami history, community programming and continued government functions.

Pan American World Airways, LLC proposed using some offices in the building for its sales, marketing and corporate communications teams while allowing commissioners to continue meeting on the ground floor. The company also proposed incorporating Pan Am memorabilia into the building and, eventually, operating 12-seat, all-electric seaplanes from the waterfront.

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The proposals and renderings have now been submitted to the city as part of letters of intent and formal proposals.

For now, however, the city says it is not entertaining a different use of the Dinner Key facilities.

The historic building has been at the center of a debate over how Miami can preserve its architectural and aviation history while accommodating the city’s future administrative needs. Commissioners supporting continued City Hall use have emphasized the building’s civic role and its connection to Miami’s history as an international gateway.

The Sept. 10 resolution by District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo called for continued use of the building as City Hall and for regular commission meetings to remain there. District 1 Commissioner Miguel Gabela was the lone vote against the measure, citing concerns about potential duplication of taxpayer-funded facilities.

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