Miami Beach Debates Digital Kiosk Designs and Locations

Overview: In a recent Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board meeting, a lengthy discourse centered on the proposed installation of digital information kiosks throughout the city. The kiosks, which are intended to provide wayfinding information, cultural institution details, emergency response technology, and digital advertising, spurred a debate on their design, color schemes, functionality, and placement. The board reviewed the design process and the kiosks’ potential impact on the city’s historic districts, with members expressing divergent views on their appropriateness in various locations.

Acushnet Historical Commission Grapples with Preservation and Infrastructure Challenges

Overview: In a recent Acushnet Historical Commission meeting, members engaged in a multifaceted discussion surrounding the preservation of historical buildings, infrastructure projects, and financial challenges. Key issues included the potential sale of the old library, efforts to list a church on the National Historic Register, debates on the upkeep of historical properties, and concerns regarding the heating and thermostat systems in a building.

Jersey City Preservation Commission Denies Historic Building Demolitions

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission, several decisions were made regarding the fate of historic properties within the city. The commission denied demolition permits for two buildings, one on Broadway and another at 205 15th Street, asserting the importance of preserving the city’s historical architecture. Additionally, the commission reviewed several applications for Certificates of Appropriateness for modifications to properties in historic districts, with discussions focusing on the compatibility of proposed changes with the historic character of the neighborhoods.

St. Pete Beach Addresses Historic Preservation Amidst Redevelopment

Overview: In a recent meeting of the St. Pete Beach Historic Preservation Board, members deliberated on the future of historic preservation and development within the city, with a particular focus on the 8th Avenue Community Redevelopment District. The board examined various aspects of design guidelines and building height regulations. The gathering saw the approval of a local historic designation for a property on Casablanca Avenue, along with a certificate of appropriateness and a FEMA variance for renovation plans. Moreover, the meeting addressed the allocation of a $50,000 survey grant for the Don CeSar neighborhood and Bell Vista and discussed the restoration of service in the city’s alleyway system.

Historic Palatka Property Set for Demolition Amid Safety Concerns

Overview: In a meeting focused on the preservation of Palatka’s historic character, the Palatka Historic Preservation Board addressed a series of applications for certificates of appropriateness, yet one notable issue was the approval of a contingent certificate for the emergency demolition of a blighted property on EMT Street. The property, a contributing structure within the historic district, had been abandoned since a destructive fire in 2017 and had become a safety hazard, compelling the city to take swift action.