Visualizing City Hall Reduction

Vol. 6, No. 3 20 September 2026

WHAT THE COMMISSION WANTS

In the leading drawing I labeled a building "City Hall (sort of)," because only part of that structure is designated to be the City of South Miami City Hall. Overall, I think that what is labeled Civic Building is alright. However, I have a hard time thinking I am going to be proud of having a City Hall (on County property) with public access to its offices only through an elevator or staircase. I do believe they plan to leave that unbeautiful waterfall and the somewhat handsome clock tower. And it certainly looks like the unique Sylva Martin building - the oldest public building in South Miami - will be destroyed.

I understand that the Mayor told someone that the plan to do away with the Jean Willis Park (except as a name) is "that they (he and the Commission) wanted it to work that way." That sounds to me as if the Commission might know that the people who voted for them - and whose interests they are supposed to represent - do not want to lose the mature trees and the tranquility of its current setting.

At some point in the past the Mayor has also said that nobody uses the park where it is currently. I think he is mistaken on that. While I was there on a Friday morning - a work day - I saw two people walking their dogs by the park. Every time I visit that Park, I pick up cigarette butts and food wrappers. On International Coastal

Cleanup Day, I spent an hour or so, collecting garbage that I very much doubt was left by squirrels or green parrots. I sent this picture to the Parks Director, and the next day, that pile was gone.

That next day, I picked up another batch of trash. While I was

there, both times, I did not hear the MetroRail. I did hear the raucous green parrot flock which alighted in a couple of the tall trees.

I mention the trash here, because the Mayor has said that Jean Willis Park is not utilized. If it is not utilized, how does all this non-biodegradable stuff end up in this park?

There are a lot of apartment buildings being built in the City of South Miami. And more are in the pipe-line (see Sally's Notice dated 9/10/2025 for one). When these are inhabited, Jean Willis Park will be the closest South Miami park for those residents.

I wrote above that the Mayor explained to a resident that "the reason the park is being moved is they (he and the Commission) wanted it to work that way."   

 

Today JC Bruce wrote:

The above is similar to the action of the City of South Miami Commission's "relocating" Jean Willis Park (and placing South Miami City Hall on Miami-Dade County property).  Neither what is going on with the Kennedy Center nor what is happening with Jean Willis Park is particularly "of the people, by the people, for the people." 

 

The land where Jean Willis Park is planted now was essentially donated on September 4, 1975.  It was "granted, bargained, and sold (for all of $10.00) to the said grantee [the City of South Miami], and grantee's heirs and assigns forever, the following described land … to wit: Lots 17, 18, 19, and 20, of REVISED POINSICANA PARK …."  It was given to the City of South Miami NOT to the Mayor and Commission.  It is NOT theirs to bulldoze.

[Click to see the Deed.]

 

If they want to use that piece of land as rental property, let them put it as a referendum on a ballot during an election year so that they can know if "that is the way" the residents of the City of South Miami "want it to work."

 

What the Mayor and Commission are "relocating" is a name, not a piece of ground in which 61 health, mature, rare flowering trees are growing.  Of course, the five memorial plagues that are in the current park will no longer be relevant.  Maybe the two trellises, one plaque, and the gazebo will show up in the middle of the area that looks like it's going to be a jogging track. [Click here to see four of those plaques and the trellises.]

I have suggested before* that instead of putting a garage and its floors of apartments above on the current location of Jean Willis Park, that it be it be placed next to the Underline. Anyone who rides the MetroRail from South Miami has seen that garages for high-rise buildings front it at the Douglas Road and Coconut Grove stations. Why not build this structure next to the MetroRail, instead of on a tranquil, well established, large-canopied park?

If you have opinions that you would like to share with the Mayor and Commissioners, their email addresses are here.

[I am trying hard not to believe that the guardian body of the City of South Miami has become a monster.  The Latin name for this creature is Pentaprinceps proditor (five-headed betrayer). Its common name is PeePee. PeePee feeds and thrives on (1) real estate and construction profits, (2) indifference, and (3) an environment that is becoming more and more poisonous to human, animal, and plant life.  It believes that the slogan “City of Pleasant Living” was put in place to welcome it.  The slogan, according to the monster, was never intended to describe conditions for the other (approximately) 13,660 residents.]

*See Sally's Notice dated October 6, 2025, February 2, 2026, and September 18, 2026.

Keep safe, stay healthy.