No to new courthouse
Everyone should take a step back and think about the Dade County Courthouse options before voting in November.
The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Building and built in 1928, is one of the most important and iconic structures in Florida. We should do all we can to restore and keep it functioning as a courthouse for it depicts Miami’s history and one of the great architectural achievements in the southeastern United States. We could never afford to build a building of this quality and of these materials today.
The idea of relocating the courts into a new building and discarding this one is misguided. Rather, a complete overhaul of the structure should take place, and full restoration should be part of the endeavor. The building should be brought back to its old glory.
The individuals who have been irresponsible and allowed the building to fall into this dilapidated and unsafe mess have failed the courts and the the public.
Rolando Rivas-Camp, deputy chief architect, U.S. General Services Administration, Washington, D.C.
This story was originally published October 8, 2014 at 8:04 PM with the headline "No to new courthouse."