The 100 year old historic property at 3701 Park Ave has had a demolition permit issued by the city allowing the home to be destroyed. Legally when a house is going to be demolished, or a lot is going to be split in two (which is also being sought after by the developer owners) - neighbors within 500 feet of the property have to be notified via certified mail, but in this case that never happened. There are only 15 days to appeal and since no one knew- no one had the chance to question whether this home should be torn down.

Our plea is for this illegal demo permit to be revoked, or at the very least Commissioner, PLEASE put a stay on it so the home isn't torn down while this egregious mistake is being investigated.

There are a number of lies being told about this situation, and a lot of people believe them without fact checking. Here is the truth:

1. The current residents are not the "owners". Ray is a partner in this endeavor, but did not himself pay the 1.8 million for the home. He is a builder who partnered up with an investor, and their intention is to split the lots, demo both the house and the garage/ guest house, and build two new homes. It is the only way they will make a significant profit. The problem with this particular lie, is that it seems like Ray is making the decisions about what to do or not do about the home- but he is not. 

2. The demo permit WAS NOT APPROVED when the house was sold.  The house was sold Sept 2015 and the permit was approved last month. The permit had only been applied for by the previous owners because they were advised it would help the sale of the house, but they did not pursue it any further because not only did they not want to see the home torn down, they were told it would probably never happen because the community wouldn't allow it. The new owners are the ones who pushed the demo permit through (without notifying the neighbors- which is illegal and should make the permit void). 

This is a landmark home here in the Grove. Many of the trees planted on the property originated directly from Fairchild Gardens. There is a gorgeous porch added to the home in 1930 featuring 16 columns salvaged from the Royal Palm Hotel built by Henry Flagler in 1897 (to put that in perspective- those are 119 year old columns from one of Miami's first hotels). The home is built out of rock solid Dade County pine, petrified by time. It is in fantastic condition. Only 4 families have lived in it over the past 100 years, and it has been meticulously cared for during that time with renovations made in 2004.  The adjacent guest house and 4 car garage are original as well and lend a peek into early life back when Coconut Grove was originating. 

The home is protected by the NCD-3 Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation District. Miami 21 states, "The intent of the Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation District NCD-3 is to establish a protective series of legislative elements to preserve the historic, heavily landscaped character of Coconut Grove's residential areas; enhance and protect Coconut Grove's natural features such as the tree canopy and green space; and protect the architectural variety within the unique single family neighborhood that comprises Coconut Grove. The community of Coconut Grove predates the City of Miami, and is known for its character, derived from lush landscaping, and naturally occurring vegetation and trees, and its unique property sizes and shapes; bay views; geologic features; proximity to Biscayne Bay; public open space; recreational opportunities; commercial services; and a special character imparted by its tropical vegetation and historic structures. Properties shall not be platted, re-platted or configured in any way that destroys a median, green space, landscape easement or road configuration that contributes to the character of the subdivision within the NCD-3 area."

The home also qualifies as historic (although it has not been deemed so) according to the 8 requirements listed here.

What will be lost if this home is destroyed is irreplaceable. It is living history meant to be preserved and honored. Developers have taken over the Grove, splitting lots into nothing, cutting down trees, and knocking down homes to put up concrete mansions- and for what? Greed. If we don't stand up to protect our historic treasures, they will go away- and with them, our character, respect, and unique community.

Neither the neighbors nor the community were allowed to weigh in on this; but I encourage you to do so now. Sign our petition to show our city we will not stand for developers continuing to destroy our community. 

 Read more on this in another article Here.