Why Preservation Matters
Historic preservation is an important way for us to transmit our understanding of the past to future generations. Miami Springs history has many facets, and historic preservation helps tell these stories. Renovating historic properties preserves the historic, architectural and aesthetic character and heritage of our community, and helps to provide a sense of place and continuity.
We strive to preserve Miami Springs historic buildings and neighborhoods for many reasons. We recognize and celebrate the cultural, aesthetic, environmental and economic value historic preservation brings to Miami Springs. It is by definition sustainable and is a proven economic development tool. No example in this country of successful central city revitalization has occurred without preservation as a component
Preserving our built environment helps tell the story of the long, rich and diverse history of Miami Springs. Taking care of our older buildings and neighborhoods provides a sense of belonging, a collective memory, and a sense of pride in our past. Preservation is about understanding that historic buildings are limited resources and we must be careful to preserve those that tell our many and varied stories.
Preservation helps build strong neighborhoods by protecting their character. Preservation programs foster community pride, appreciation of history, learning, creativity, and a sense of place, making historic neighborhoods like Miami Springs desirable place to live and work.
Preservation is good for the economy. Reinvesting in our historic buildings and neighborhoods helps to stabilize our property values and community, and promotes tourism and economic development. Historic preservation is more labor intensive than new construction and generally utilizes more local materials. Every time a building is rehabilitated or reused, specialized trades and skilled laborers are employed. This creates jobs and puts more money into our local economy.
Additionally, historic preservation contributes to the tourism industry in our city. Studies have shown that the heritage visitor stays longer and spends more than any other category of visitor. These people are looking for the jewels that locals cherish...often it's our historic buildings and neighborhoods that provide that sense of place and community that attracts visitors, while contributing to the quality of life for local citizens.
Rehabilitating existing buildings and maintaining existing materials are sustainable solutions and are most often more cost effective over the life of the building than replacement or new construction. Fortunately, the green movement is recognizing that the greenest building ever built is the one that already exists! Stewardship of the built environment is sustainability as well as preservation.
We want our neighborhoods and commercial districts to continue to tell the story of Miami Springs history to those who come after us. This can best be done by preserving the condition of our historic resources and giving them new life and new purpose by making them our homes and places of business. The Historic Preservation Guidelines are intended to serve our community as we work together to preserve Miami Springs historic resources to provide a quality environment for future generation Preservation is not about longing for the past or resisting progress. It’s about building on the past toward the future.
