Rename Underdeck Project to Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail

AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM File ID: #17627 Date: 05/09/2025 Requesting Department: Department of Real Estate and Asset Management Commission Meeting Date: 06/17/2025 Sponsored By: Christine King District Impacted: District 2, District 5 Type: Resolution Subject: Approve - Amend Reso R-24-0133 - Rename Underdeck Project/Heritage Trail Purpose of Item: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. R- 24-0133, ADOPTED ON APRIL 11, 2024, TO RENAME THE UNDERDECK PROJECT FROM THE “REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM GREENWAY” TO THE “REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM HERITAGE TRAIL”; FURTHER AFFIRMING THE CITY’S INTENT TO HONOR REVEREND GRAHAM’S LEGACY THROUGH A DESIGNATION THAT RECOGNIZES HIS HISTORIC IMPACT ON THE CITY OF MIAMI; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Background of Item: On April 11, 2024, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. R-24-0133 (“Original Resolution”) proposing the naming of the Underdeck Project as the “Reverend Edward T. Graham Greenway,” in recognition of Reverend Graham’s extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on civil rights and community empowerment in the City of Miami; and Reverend Graham was a prominent community leader and public servant who played a critical role in advancing equal rights and improving the lives of Miami residents; and the City Commission desires to rename the project to the “Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail” to better reflect the historical and commemorative purpose of the designation, emphasizing the importance of preserving and sharing the legacy of Reverend Graham and the community he served; and the designation “Heritage Trail” more accurately characterizes the project’s intent to serve as a living memorial, highlighting the cultural legacy, spatial history, and resilience of the Overtown community and the personal sacrifices made by Reverend Graham and countless others displaced by the original construction of Interstate 395. Budget Impact Analysis Item has NOT an Expenditure Item is NOT Related to Revenue Item is NOT funded by Bonds Total Fiscal Impact: CIP Project No: 40-B193621 Reviewed By Department of Real Estate and Asset Management Andrew Frey Department Head Review Completed 05/09/2025 11:24 AM Office of Management and Budget Lai-wan McGinnis Budget Analyst Review Completed 05/09/2025 7:36 PM Office of Management and Budget Marie Gouin Budget Review Completed 05/10/2025 8:45 AM City Manager’s Office Larry M. Spring Assistant City Manager Completed 05/12/2025 10:37 AM City Manager’s Office Natasha Colebrook-Williams Deputy City Manager Review Completed 05/12/2025 10:50 AM City Manager’s Office Arthur Noriega V City Manager Review Completed 05/13/2025 6:53 PM Legislative Division Valentin J Alvarez Legislative Division Review Completed 05/13/2025 8:43 PM Office of the City Attorney Thomas M. Fossler ACA Review Completed 05/13/2025 9:59 PM Office of the City Attorney George K. Wysong III Approved Form and Correctness Completed 05/13/2025 10:10 PM City Commission Todd B. Hannon Meeting Completed 05/22/2025 9:00 AM City Commission Nicole Ewan Meeting Completed 06/12/2025 9:00 AM City Commission Todd B. Hannon Meeting Pending 06/17/2025 9:00 AM City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com City of Miami Legislation Resolution File Number: 17627 Final Action Date: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0133, ADOPTED ON APRIL 11, 2024, PROPOSING THE NAMING OF THE UNDERDECK PROJECT AS THE “REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM GREENWAY” AND REPLACING IT WITH A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE NAMING OF THE UNDERDECK PROJECT AS THE “REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM HERITAGE TRAIL” IN HONOR OF HIS EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY AND ENDURING IMPACT ON THE CITY OF MIAMI; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH FDOT FOR SAID PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Interstate 395 (“I-395”) Underdeck Project, also known as the Signature Bridge (“Project”), is a monumental 33-acre public open space designed to serve as a multi- purpose greenway, connecting the Historic Overtown neighborhood to Biscayne Bay, enhancing community connectivity and providing a multitude of outdoor amenities; and WHEREAS, the Project represents a significant partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”) and the City of Miami (“City”), embodying the design themes of activity, connection, authenticity, and greenery, and is set to include an amphitheater, event lawn, community plaza, children’s play area, dog play area, multi-use court, and water feature, thereby fostering a diverse range of public events and cultural activities; and WHEREAS, the Underdeck Project is envisioned to be a vibrant and inclusive space, promoting community engagement, cultural expression, and environmental sustainability, with the anticipated completion by late 2027 and a projected cost of $840 million, to improve safety, mobility, and sustainability for residents and visitors alike; and WHEREAS, Reverend Edward T. Graham was a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for the Miami community, arriving in 1943 and quickly becoming a staunch advocate for civil rights and social justice, leading the first “wade-in” in the United States to protest against segregated beaches; and WHEREAS, Reverend Graham, as a licensed minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the first Executive Director of the Urban League of Miami, tirelessly worked towards the upliftment of the Black community, playing key roles in desegregating Miami’s lunch counters, golf courses, buses, the police department, beaches, and Miami Beach hotels, and facilitating the relocation of Florida Memorial College to Miami; and WHEREAS, Reverend Graham’s commitment to public service and governance led him to become the first Black male commissioner of the City of Miami in 1970, and subsequently, in 1972, he further distinguished himself as the second Black male commissioner to serve on the Miami-Dade County Commission, marking significant milestones in the history of Miami-Dade County’s political landscape and representing crucial steps toward inclusive and representative governance; and WHEREAS, during his service on the City Commission, Reverend Graham held the position of Vice Mayor, underscoring his deep commitment to public service and the advancement of equitable representation in municipal government; and WHEREAS, Reverend Graham’s leadership extended well beyond city government, as he was appointed Executive Director of the United Service Organization (USO) in Miami during World War II, founded the Negro Service Council (which later became the Urban League of Greater Miami) and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Florida Memorial College, where he played a pivotal role in relocating the institution to Miami to better serve the local community; and WHEREAS, Reverend Graham’s dedication to justice and service was not confined to local or state matters, as he also served on the national stage as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches, where he championed civil rights and promoted social progress within both faith-based and civic institutions; and WHEREAS, Reverend Graham, a beacon of hope and change for the Miami community, personally endured the loss of his home due to the construction of I-395, a development that decimated the Overtown neighborhood and adversely impacted many of its residents; and WHEREAS, on April 11, 2024, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. R-24-0133 proposing the naming of the Underdeck Project as the “Reverend Edward T. Graham Greenway,” in recognition of Reverend Graham’s extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on civil rights and community empowerment in the City of Miami; and WHEREAS, after discussions with the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”) the City Commission desires to rescind Resolution No. R-24-0133, and to replace it with this Resolution proposing the naming of the Underdeck Project as the “Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail” to better reflect the historical and commemorative purpose of the designation, emphasizing the importance of preserving and sharing the legacy of Reverend Graham and the community he served; and WHEREAS, the designation “Heritage Trail” more accurately characterizes the project’s intent to serve as a living memorial, highlighting the cultural legacy, spatial history, and resilience of the Overtown community and the personal sacrifices made by Reverend Graham and countless others displaced by the original construction of Interstate 395;

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are adopted by reference thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. Resolution No. R-24-0133 is hereby rescinded in its entirety. Section 3. The City Commission hereby proposes the naming of the Underdeck Project as the “Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail” in honor of his extraordinary legacy and enduring impact in our City. Section 4. The City Manager is authorized1 to negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents, all in forms acceptable to the City Attorney, with the FDOT for said 1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be imposed, including, but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code provisions. purpose. Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: