Members of the Historic Preservation Board:

As the organization responsible for marketing Greater Miami & the Beaches as an international visitor destination, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau appreciates the values of preserving the assets that make our destination unique and attractive. The impact of preserving structures and areas for their historic significance and/or uniqueness has proven to be and invaluable marketing tool and community asset. Stiltsville is such an area.

Stiltsville has often been used to host journalists and industry representatives responsible for selling Greater Miami and the Beaches. It is frequently photographed to capture the essence of what is so special about our destination - our waters, our history, and out relaxing, inviting, tropical setting. Stiltsville has become a point of interest on many tours of Biscayne National Park and Biscayne Bay.

I understand the seven houses that remain in Stiltsville have been scheduled for destruction next year. Over the years the elements have destroyed many of the original Stiltsville houses; it would be a mistake to willingly destroy the rest. If we lose these special structures, we lose an attraction like no other in the world, and an integral part of our history will be gone forever.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau supports designating Stiltsville as an historic site.

Sincerely,

William D. Talbert, III
Acting President and CEO