Bal Harbour is hoping for some historical help.
In an effort to make historic preservation decisions, the
village is seeking input from the public about local homes
as part of a grant-funded study of historic structures.
The Historic Structure Survey will evaluate homes more than 50 years old to document significant design, architecture and historic importance of past or current
residents.
The study is not limited to just houses but
residences, including apartment and condominium buildings.
“We are very excited about this study, and the opportunity
to partner with the state’s division of historic
preservation to look at these particular residences and to
document their historic features,” Mayor Jean Rosenfield
said.
Residents can provide information such as documents,
personal memories, blueprints or pictures.
The deadline for residents to provide information is March
31.
The Division of Historical Resources with the assistance
from the Florida Historical Commission awarded Bal Harbour
with a $20,000 grant towards the cost of the study. The
research will also include examining the village’s original
master plan in order to document any relation of the current
structures to Bal Harbour’s original blueprint.
Janus Research, a private consulting firm, will be
conducting the study. Recently the firm completed a study of
about 6,000 structures in Miami-Dade County. The firm will
also be combing through records and historical archives for
additional background information.
A final report is scheduled to be presented later this
year. Jay Smith, community outreach director, said the state
requires these types of studies as part of each city’s
comprehensive plan.
The information will be useful for zoning issues and
possible historic designation.
Approximately 150 structures built prior to the early
1960’s in Bal Harbour still exist and will be examined.
Michael Miller, a consultant working as Bal Harbour’s
village planner, said the village will benefit from the
study.
“The Historic Structure Survey will be a useful tool in
helping the village complete this requirement and I look
forward to Janus Research’s final document,” he said.
