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RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS 2026 MASTER PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS TRUST, INC.; AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSIONER OF DISTRICT 7 TO CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE AND NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT FOR THE RELOCATION OF VILLA SERENA TO VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS; DELEGATING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DISTRICT THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT TO EFFECTUATE THE RELOCATION AND CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF VILLA SERENA; AUTHORIZING COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SUCH AGREEMENT OR AMENDMENTS AND TO EXERCISE THE PROVISIONS THEREOF

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WHEREAS, James Deering�s heirs conveyed Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (�Vizcaya�) to the County, and the County accepted Vizcaya, by Warranty Deeds that expressed the intent to preserve the cultural and artistic characteristics of the estate; and
WHEREAS, Vizcaya is located within County Commission District 7 and is composed of the following lands: 1) That certain real property acquired by the County on November 1, 1952 by Warranty Deed, recorded in the public records of Miami-Dade County at Book 3673, Pages 64-69 (main house and surrounding gardens), subject to certain restrictive covenants; and 2) That certain real property acquired by the County on November 9, 1955 by Warranty Deed, recorded in the public records of Miami-Dade County at Book 4193, Pages 345-351 (Vizcaya Village and surrounding property), subject to certain restrictive covenants; and includes the main house, the gardens and the property across South Miami Avenue on which historic structures are located; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Vizcaya was designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest distinction granted by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to historic properties for their exceptional value or quality in interpreting the heritage of the United States; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2017, this Board adopted Ordinance No. 17-42, establishing the terms and conditions under which the County authorized the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. (�Trust�), a non-profit corporation, to manage Vizcaya on behalf of the County; and
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the relationship between the County and the Trust were further outlined in the First Amended and Restated Operating and Management Agreement (�Operating Agreement�), adopted by this Board through Resolution No. R-32-20 on January 22, 2020; and
WHEREAS, under the terms of the Operating Agreement, the County and the Trust formed a public-private partnership, whereby the County retains sole ownership of the grounds, buildings and art collections of Vizcaya; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, this Board adopted a master plan to strengthen Vizcaya�s capacity to meet the evolving needs of our community; and
WHEREAS, the Trust, in partnership with the County, has advanced that master plan and is currently renovating five historic buildings in accordance with the 2017 master plan to provide new spaces for community-based learning, urban-agriculture, hands-on artmaking, a conservation laboratory, exhibits, research, and related institutional functions; and
WHEREAS, the Operating Agreement specified that the Trust shall present to this Board approval any substantive revisions or additions to previous master plan approvals; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the newly drafted master plan (�2026 Master Plan�) is to preserve, revitalize and unite the 50-acre site, maximizing community benefit and enjoyment and advancing the vision for Vizcaya as �A Home for Miami, An Inspiration for All�; and
WHEREAS, the guiding principles of the 2026 Master Plan are to: 1) restore, revitalize and provide free public access to the Village campus of historic architecture and native landscapes; 2) expand educational programs for our community on multidisciplinary topics including art, history and urban agriculture; 3) enhance visitor experience with new stories and amenities, including those revolving around Bahamians and other early settlers who built Vizcaya; 4) respect Vizcaya�s North Coconut Grove neighborhood and support its recreational ecosystem; 5) provide work space for Vizcaya�s professional functions; and 6) ensure financial sustainability through increased revenue opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Master Plan calls for the ongoing preservation of existing historic buildings and the development of new sensitively designed structures and landscapes, including a large community-based agricultural space anchoring the Village; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Master Plan reflects the desire of the Trust, subject to the approval of the County and various regulatory agencies, to work with local philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin to relocate Villa Serena�the 1913 home of former U.S. Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan�from its nearby site on Brickell Avenue to an undeveloped space in the Vizcaya Village, to be surrounded by a grove of ornamental and fruiting trees; and
WHEREAS, James Deering (1859�1925) and William Jennings Bryan (1860�1925) were influential contemporaries whose ideas, ambitions and worldviews helped define our nation and our city; and
WHEREAS, such relocation would meaningfully situate Vizcaya in broader historical contexts, open Villa Serena to the public for the first time in 112 years, and provide new opportunities for preservation and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, any relocation of Villa Serena would be fully funded by Mr. Griffin and overseen by nationally recognized preservation professionals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Griffin has further pledged a separate $5,000,000.00 endowment to the Trust to support Villa Serena�s long-term care, programming and public access upon said relocation; and
WHEREAS, the Trust and Mr. Griffin wish to preserve the historic designation of Villa Serena on local, state and federal levels and are taking appropriate steps to do so; and
WHEREAS, upon County approval of the 2026 Master Plan, the Trust shall be required to secure the necessary regulatory approvals prior to undertaking any renovation, construction or relocation activities contemplated by the 2026 Master Plan from the State Historic Preservation Officer, the City of Miami and all other agencies with jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is in the early stages of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to identify support for unfunded renovation and construction projects; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to approve and adopt the 2026 Master Plan attached hereto as Exhibit �A� and made a part hereof,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Approves and adopts the foregoing recitals as fully set forth herein.
Section 2. Approves the 2026 Master Plan in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit �A� and made a part hereof, including the proposed relocation of Villa Serena to Vizcaya Village.
Section 3. Directs the Commissioner of the District to conduct due diligence and negotiate an agreement with Mr. Griffin for the relocation of Villa Serena to Vizcaya Village without the need for further approval by this Board, and upon legal sufficiency review and approval by the County Attorney�s Office, provided there is no cost to the County.
Section 4. Delegates the authority to the Commissioner of the District to negotiate any necessary amendments to the Operating Agreement to effectuate the relocation and ongoing maintenance of Villa Serena, provided there is no cost to the County.
Section 5. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute the agreement described in section 3, execute any necessary amendments to the Operating Agreement described in section 4, and to exercise the provisions thereof.