Experience MiamiA CITY-AS-TEXT ACTIVITY

About City-as-Text

Experience Miami is based on City-as-Text “walkabouts” or structured explorations of environments and ecosystems. In these walkabouts, small teams investigate contested areas and issues in urban environments, or competing forces in natural ones. The four basic principles underlying City as Text include:

Active learning: The student is the primary agent driving the learning experience.

Extended text: Material for study and analysis is seen as living and breathing outside of a book, including experience and encounters.

Collaborative and integrated learning: Understanding and knowledge cannot be limited to a single dimension or academic perspective. Integrating separate insights, perspectives, and experience allows for a more holistic understanding of issues being explored.

Goal of Autonomy and Community: Autonomy requires becoming aware of how external constraints and our own subjective attitudes and emotions affect our perspectives. Students are encouraged to gain confidence in seeking their own truth through experience, and appreciating that same autonomy in others. The educational experience becomes a community of support in which discoveries are shared and ideas are mutually explored.

Experience Miami (City-as-Text, The Honors College style)

As Experience Miami participants, students will work in teams to explore pre-

determined locations throughout Downtown Miami and Brickell. This is not a race

nor competition. Your goal is to be observant and take in your surroundings and

the experience. Through focused observation and teamwork, you will work

collaboratively in groups to better understand the city from the various

perspectives within your group, identify issues/areas for improvement, and

potential solutions or recommendations to help improve the city. Be sure to

consider your Strengths as you work with your group!

Why?

This is more than just a team building activity. You are all future leaders. We want

you to start thinking about the world around you from different perspectives. Reflect

on what seems to be working and what is not working in your community. What

needs to change and who makes those changes? What can you do now? What

can you do in the future within your respective field of study?

While you will not have all the answers by the end of the day, we hope the activity

will encourage you to start to think about what sort of impact you want to make

either at MDC, in your neighborhood, in your larger community, or beyond. Also, we

hope that the conversations you have with your team will allow you to learn from

each other by understanding different viewpoints and perspectives.

What?

Each table will been assigned several destinations to visit throughout Downtown Miami

and Brickell. You will be provided with addresses and brief descriptions of each

destination. You can walk or take the Metromover.

Take pictures along the way and send them to honors@mdc.edu or use #MDChonors on

social media!

Before you go, read through the Reflection Questions to get an idea of the questions we would like for you to think about.

When you return, select the question(s) that resonate most with your team based on the

locations you visited. Your team will report out to the entire group.

Tips for the Day

Wear comfortable shoes and cool/fresh pants or appropriate length shorts.

Hats and sunglasses are a good idea.

Bring a refillable water bottle with you.

Consider bringing a raincoat or umbrella.

Download the MDT Tracker app on your phone.

Have fun and look out for each other!

Reflection Questions

1. Who do you see around you? How do demographics change with each space? Do

you think the spaces you visited today target a primary audience? If so, is it the right

one? Do the spaces occupied by the private sector differ from public spaces? If so, in

what ways?

2. Do you think the way you see Miami is different from the way a tourist might see it? If

so, how are the viewpoints different? Is there something important about Miami that

tourists may not see when visiting? Do Miami’s city planners seem to be more

concerned with meeting the needs of residents or tourists?

3. Do you think it is important to have art in public spaces; making art accessible to the

masses? Why or why not? Who do you think it is meant to reach? What does having

art be accessible say about us to the world?

Reflection Questions

4. A tension exists between historic preservation and economic boom. Should we care

about history? Why or why not? Is it preferable to preserve Miami’s history or pursue

modern projects? Why or why not? Do you agree with the decisions Miami has made to

commemorate its history in different locations? Do you think Miami should do more/less?

5. Was it easy for you to get to the Wolfson campus today? Was it easy to get to the

different locations? Is it important for cities to worry about transportation planning in order

to help residents get around (i.e. Homestead to Downtown or

Miami Gardens to Miami Beach)? Do you think public transportation in

Miami is equitable in its current state (treating everyone fairly)? Does it

matter if it is equitable (Hint: Think about reasons why people might

need to access different neighborhoods)?

Reflection Questions

6. Do you think public spaces are important? What do you think are important characteristics of a public space? Do you think any of the spaces you visited today demonstrate the characteristics of a Great Public Space outlined by the American Planning Association?

According to the APA the Characteristics of a Great Public Space include: Promotes human contact and social activities.

Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.

Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.

Promotes community involvement.

Reflects the local culture or history.

Relates well to bordering uses.

Is well maintained.

Has a unique or special character.

Reflection Questions

7. Miami Dade County has an Office of Resilience, whose mission is to lead

Miami-Dade County to a resilient and environmentally sustainable future

by identifying vulnerabilities, coordinating stakeholders and facilitating

innovative solutions. What do you think some of those vulnerabilities might

be? What might some solutions be?

8. As a resident of Miami, with the ability to impact your community, what do

you think our city’s priorities should be and why?

Destinations

The following pages contain descriptions of all of the destinations included in Experience

Miami. However, students will only be visiting the destinations assigned to their group.

American Airlines Arena (AAA) Consider Reflection Question(s): 1,2, 7, 8601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

The American Airlines Arena was opened on New Year's Eve 1999. Primarily a venue for basketball and concerts, the arena replaced the old Miami Arena, which was eventually demolished in late 2008. AAA, which is said to have cost approximately $213 million to build, can accommodate up to 19,146 guests. The centerpiece of the arena is an unusual $5 million scoreboard that hangs in the center. Designed by Boston artist Christopher Janney, its nickname is "Medusa'' because of its tentacle-like appearance. AAA is home to the Miami HEAT, the 2006, 2012, and 2013 NBA Champions. Coldplay, Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, and Chance the Rapper are a few of the musicians who have performed at AAA. Fun Fact: Did you know there is a county park located on the bay behind the arena?

Bayfront Park Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132

Bayfront Park is a 32-acre site located in the epicenter of downtown Miami, which was redesigned in the early 1980s by Isamu Noguchi. Recognized as the 20thcentury’s foremost American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi’s innovative parks, plazas, playgrounds, fountains, gardens, and public pieces are located in many differentcountries and celebrated around the world. Bayfront Park’s 32 acres of lush greenery includes a small sand beach, tropical rock garden and waterfall (dating backto 1926), playground, fountain, Light Tower, and many different monuments. The park recently underwent arenovationof its baywalk. Renovations include treeplantings, benches, removable chairs, bike racks, trash containers, pavers, and are working of a portion of the irrigation system. The renovations were intendedto soften the edges of the park and create a more pedestrian friendly environment.• Isamu Noguchi Sculptures – 1. The Slide Mantra is a 10 foot high, marble slide weighing 29 tons! This slide demonstrates Noguchi’s long held belief that

play could lead to a new appreciation of sculpture, 2. The Challenger Memorial is a white, metal pipe tower that rises approximately 100 feet out of thepark’s southwest corner. The sculpture is dedicated to the memory of the Challenger astronauts, and 3. The forty foot Light Tower makes references toJapanese lanterns and the full moon over Miami.

• Julia Tuttle – “Mother of Miami” - A 10’ tall bronze sculpture of Julia Tuttle, who is recognized as the only female founderof a major American city. Originallyfrom Ohio, Tuttle moved to Miami in 1891 and purchased640 acres of land on the North Bank of the Miami River. Her neighbors to the South of the River werethe Brickell family. Aware that the area would never prosper unless it was reachable by train, she set out to convince Henry Flagler to extend his railroad tracksfrom Palm Beach to Miami. Mr.Flagler was not immediately convinced, however,after two freezes devastated crops throughout Florida but failed to affectMiami, Tuttle is said to havesentFlaglerapackagewithorangeblossoms.Determinedasshewastoextendthe tracks, Tuttle also gave Flagler half of her land, onwhich he built the Royal Palm Hotel. The first train entered Miami on April 13, 1896 and by July 28 of the same year the city was incorporatedas City of Miami.

• Plaque marking site of Franklin D. Roosevelt Assassination Attempt – In 1933, president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) visited Miami. After delivering a speech to a crowd of 25,000 at Bayfront Park, Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian immigrant, fired five shots from his .32 calibre revolver – which he is said to have purchased for $8.00 at a downtown pawn shop – at FDR. Although FDR escaped from harm, several people were injured, including Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak who died a few weeks later due to complications from his gunshot wound.

Bayside Marketplace Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 5, 7, 8401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

Bayside Marketplace is a festival marketplace located on Biscayne Bay in the heart of Downtown Miami. Bayside Marketplace was built by The Rouse Company whose founder, James W. Rouse, was an early pioneer of shopping malls and festival marketplaces including The Jacksonville Landing, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and Baltimore’s Harborplace. Since its opening in 1987, Bayside Marketplace has been the premier destination for visitors in Miami welcoming over 12 million people every year. While locals don’t often frequent it, for visitors, it remains one of the better places to see the port of Miami and the waterfront of Biscayne Bay. It also offers a rare outdoor walkable cluster of businesses in the city, and with its physical proximity to and view of the Port of Miami, it’s a frequent stop for many area cruises.

Brickell Park and Mausoleum Archeological Zone Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 4, 6, 7, 8501 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131

Brickell Park contains both a pre-Columbian archeological site and a historic mausoleum associated with the Brickell family. As early as the 1860s, pre-Columbian sand mounds were noted here as part of a large hammock extending south from the Miami River. Recently, intact deposits of midden material (or refuse) associated with the pre-Columbian Tequesta occupation dating between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. were identified within this area. Several Native American burials also were identified that may be related to the inhabitants of the Miami Circle site. In fact, the density of burials suggests that this area was deliberately selected as a cemetery. The Brickell family located its mausoleum at this site in 1924. The mausoleum is the only surviving structure associated with one of Miami's most important families. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Freedom Tower Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 4, 7, 8600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132The MDC Freedom Tower, modeled after the Giralda Catherdral Bell Tower in Seville, Spain, was built in 1925, when it housed the offices of the Miami News & Metropolis. When the newspaper went out of business more than 30 years later, the building lay vacant for some time. When the Castro regime came into power in Cuba and political refugees flooded South Florida looking for a new start, the Tower was taken over by the U.S. government to provide services to the immigrants. It housed in processing services, basic medical and dental services, records on relatives already in the U.S. and relief aid for those starting a new life with nothing. For many thousands of immigrants, the Tower provided nothing less than their freedom from Castro and the hardships Cuba had come to give them. It rightly earned its name then of Freedom Tower. After several transfers of ownership, the Freedom Tower was donated to Miami Dade College in 2005. In 2008 the building, which now houses the MDC Museum of Art + Design, was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Miami Circle Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 4, 6, 7, 8The Miami Circle, also known as the Brickell Point site, is believed to be the southern part of the pre-Columbian village of Tequesta that used to exist on both the north and south banks of the Miami River. It is thought that the circular formation of holes that have been cut out of the oolitic limestone bedrock represents the footprint of a structure such as a council house, a chief’s house, or a temple. There are also various unique features at this site. There is an intended marking of the cardinal points. A series of holes forms an east west line with a carving of a human-like eye at the circle’s eastern point that might have some association with the equinox and solstice. Other directions were indicated with distinctive cuts or rocks set in the holes. Artifacts recovered, including the remains of a fully articulated shark, a complete sea turtle carapace, and non-local basaltic axes, indicate the site may have had ceremonial importance to the Tequesta. The Miami Circle is the only complete cut in rock prehistoric structural footprint discovered in eastern North America. Due to the importance of this discovery, the State purchased the property in 1999. The Miami Circle was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Miami Dade Cultural Center Plaza Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8101 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

The Cultural Center Plaza, which was made possible with funds from the Decade of Progress Bond, was the realization of the late Miami-Dade County Mayor Jack Orr’s plan for a downtown cultural center; a meeting place for all the arts. The Historical Museum of Southern Florida (now HistoryMiami) would move from its Miami Science Museum location to its more spacious facility; the Center for the Arts (now the Pérez Art Museum Miami) was to host internationally renowned exhibitions; the Main Library, formally located at Flagler Street and Biscayne Boulevard, would have a three and a half times larger capacity for over two million books and would include an auditorium. The Center also signified a move into Downtown Miami's much touted "Rebirth." Going into the 1980s, Miami was synonymous with tropical living. However, in the urbanized areas including Downtown, there was little to no cultural activity. Popular media had sensationalized the city's drug cartel, violence, and corruption. The Center, along with new downtown hotels, the new Knight Convention Center, and the Metrorail, were elements in massive effort to revitalize the Miami image and to generate tourism. The Cultural Center Plaza, which sits 14 feet above street level, was the design of architect Philip Johnson and several of his associates. At the time, Johnson's name was synonymous with American modern architecture. Although the PAMM has moved to its new location, History Miami and the Main Library remain at the plaza.

Miami Riverwalk Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 3, 6, 7, 8North Starting Point: The Intercontinental Hotel (100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131) South Starting Point: Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (315 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131)

This short stroll will lead you along the north mouth of the Miami River. You will notice public artwork along the way and, if you are lucky, you may be able to spot some wildlife or experience boats coming in and out of the River. If you look across the River, you will see Brickell Key and the Miami Circle. The 5.5 mile river was originally fed by several springs and rapids formed by water from the Everglades flowing over a rocky ledge. During the early 20th century, dredging and filling significantly altered the channel and over 29 sewer lines dumping untreated sewage into the waterway led to high levels of pollution. Between the 1970s and early 21st century, the amount of freight shipped on the working waterway has doubled from 250,000 tons to 500,000 tons. While the Atlantic Coast's large ports are in a race to accommodate larger ships, the shallow Miami River fills a unique niche. Many of the river's small cargo terminals load cargo destined for shallow draft ports throughout the Caribbean ports. The river's currents have carried Seminoles to trading posts and settlers up-stream to explore and conquer the Everglades, and build Miami. Its waters have carried the boats of fleeing Cuban refugees and harbored Miami’s fishing, shrimp and sponge fleets. The freighters that heave-to along its banks have helped build Miami’s international commerce. Its coal black waters have floated secret CIA operatives and drug boats. Its banks have teemed alternately with the dispossessed and the wealthy. Archeologists studying early civilizations have found that the water's shores are some of the most productive in the nation.

This existing section of the Miami Riverwalk is a small part of the larger Miami River Greenway Concept Plan. As of 2018, 6.5 miles of the public Miami River Greenway have been constructed (in large part by the private sector) and 3.5 miles are planned for completion

Museum Park Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 81075 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

Museum Park, a 21 acre public park on the Biscayne Bay, opened to the public in June 2014, after a 14 year struggle. There have been many incarnations of thepark over the years including Bicentennial Park, which was widely considered a failure due to design choices, like walls around the park, along with the lack ofa Downtown community at the time.

In the 1980’s the Miami Grand Prix ran straight through Bicentennial Park. It was a suggested site for the Miami Marlin’s stadium and, more recently, for thebuilding of a new soccer stadium. The origins of the new park stretch back to 2000, when a group of activists and civic leaders defeated a plan by baseball’sMarlins to build a new stadium at Bicentennial. A new plan, hammered out over scores of public meetings, called for two new museums and a revamped slipframing a 19 acre expanse of green open space. The Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science, along with a new public plaza and a renovated Metromover station, are now drawing large crowds to the area. At a cost so far of around $40 million, the park is a pared down version of anelaborate design by the celebrated New York firm of Cooper, Robertson & Partners. City officials say they have built a frame that will allow elements like achildren’s garden and a restaurant next to the slip as money becomes available.

Olympia Theater Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 4, 7, 8174 E. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33131

The Olympia Theater opened in 1926 as a silent movie palace and amazed the public with its stunning Moorish architecture, perfect acoustics and simulated night sky, complete with wafting clouds and twinkling stars. It also achieved fame as the first air conditioned building in the South. Throughout its history, the Olympia has been host to the world’s most exciting performers in the arts and entertainment community. Cultural icons such as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Luciano Pavarotti and Etta James have provided memorable evenings under the Olympia’s stars.

Paul S. Walker Urbanscape Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 6, 7, 846 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

Paul S. Walker Urbanscape is a 4,200 sq. ft. pocket park in Downtown Miami. The $284,993 cost to resurrect this previously underused space was covered with Downtown Development Authority (DDA) funds and a Homeland Defense Neighborhood Improvement Bond. Small urban pocket parks are important elements of a vibrant urban environment. It is not always feasible to build large parks — small parks offer quick and accessible rest and relaxation from hectic urban environments. They provide a release of pressure — a small space intertwined within the city fabric that provides a place to unwind for a few minutes.

Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 81103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

PAMM was originally founded as the Center for Fine Arts and was strictly an exhibiting organization with no collection of its own. In 1996, as part of an institution wide reorganization, the museum was renamed Miami Art Museum and dedicated itself to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries with a special emphasis on art of the Americas. Since then, the collection has grown steadily and now comprises more than 1,300 works across a range of media. Opened as Pérez Art Museum Miami in recognition of a landmark leadership gift of cash and art from Jorge M. Pérez - now valued at $40 million - the Museum serves as a resource commensurate with Miami’s thriving community of artists, designers, collectors and arts engaged public.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 5, 7, 81101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which began as the Junior Museum of Miami, had its genesis in 1949, when a group of women in the Junior League of Miami recognized the need for a science museum in the region. With that vision in mind, the Junior League of Miami procured a house on Biscayne Boulevard and 26th Street in 1950, and created a private non-profit institution, the Junior Museum of Miami. By the late 1950s a special committee recommended to the county that it establish a major independent science museum, and by 1960 the Miami Museum of Science opened its doors on three acres of the historic Vizcaya complex, its home for the next 55 years. In November 2004, Miami-Dade County voters passed a Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond to create a new Miami Science Museum and in 2009 the City of Miami agreed to lease the museum four acres in Museum Park. Longtime supporters of South Florida’s arts and culture, Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost committed $35 million dollars in 2011 to name the museum at its new home, becoming the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. In February of 2012, Frost Science broke ground on its 250,000 square foot facility in downtown Miami, and a few years later the Frosts made an additional $10 million gift to support the new museum’s state-of-the-art planetarium, now the Frost Planetarium. The long-awaited museum opened its doors to the public in May 2017.

PortMiami Entrance Consider Reflection Question(s): 2, 5, 7, 8Between NE 5th & NE 6th Streets on Biscayne Blvd.

PortMiami is the world’s leading cruise port and the largest container port in the State of Florida. Its operations contribute $28 billion annually to the local economy and support more than 207,000 jobs in South Florida. Miami's unique geographic position makes the Port easily accessible to Caribbean and Latin American markets, as well as those of Asia and Europe by way of the Panama Canal. Latin America and the Caribbean make up PortMiami’s largest trade region. One-billion dollars of infrastructure improvements were recently completed, including the Deep Dredge Project, which increased the channel depth to -50/-52 feet. In 2015, PortMiami’s inbound and outbound cargo tonnage totaled 8.6 million tons. PortMiami is also known worldwide as the Cruise Capital of the World, welcoming more cruise passengers to its terminals than any other port in the world. Millions of passengers travel through PortMiami every year and with 18 cruise brands berthing 42 ships.

“RedM” at Riverwalk Metromover Station Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8Riverwalk Metromover Station

Artists: Roberto Behar and Rosario MarquardtDesigned as an entranceway to the station, “Red M” creates an intimate scale within the station’s lofty eight story structure. Located in front of the turnstiles on the east side of Riverwalk Station, the artwork refers historically to subway and other transit entrances with decorative elements, such as clock and lighting. The bright red color adds interest and excitement to the site. The artwork invites multiple interpretations to what the “M” stands for. What does the “M” mean to you?

Stephen P. Clark Government Center & Government Center Station Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8111 NW 1 Street, Miami, FL 33128

Stephen P. Clark Government Center, also known as County Hall, is the headquarters building of the Miami Dade County government; housing the Mayor’s office and several other county offices. It is also a voting location for Miami-Dade County residents, providing an early voting option. Government Center Station was originally the southernmost point of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway in the late 1890s. It is now the central transfer station for the MetroMover and MetroRail.

The Torch of Friendship Consider Reflection Question(s): 1, 2, 4, 7, 8401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

The Torch of Friendship was erected in 1960 as a tangible sign of goodwill and friendship for Pan America. The 18 foot high obelisk has a flame fueled by natural gas. The 8 foot high, 40 foot curved wall is imbedded with the seals of the American republics. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the monument was dedicated to his memory. Many political protests have taken place at the Torch of Friendship, some related to immigration and international issues and others related to local and domestic issues.