M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, ICMA-CM, CFM, Town Manager
Date: October 28, 2020
Re: Renaming of South Dixie Highway (from S.W. 112th Avenue/South Allapattah Road to S.W. 184th Street/Eureka Drive) to “Harriet Tubman Highway”
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE RENAMING OF SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY/U.S. 1 FROM S.W. 112TH AVENUE/SOUTH ALLAPATTAH ROAD TO S.W. 184TH STREET/EUREKA DRIVE TO THE “HARRIET TUBMAN HIGHWAY;” AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town of Cutler Bay’s (the “Town”) municipal limits include portions of South Dixie Highway/U.S. 1 from S.W. 112th Avenue/South Allapattah Road to S.W. 184th Street/Eureka Drive. Under its present moniker, South Dixie Highway represents a troubling time in our nation’s past, marred by the inhumane celebration and unconscionable profit of the perils of racism, segregation, and the atrocities of slavery.
Born enslaved as Arminta “Minty” Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland around March of 1822, Ms. Tubman would go on to change both her name and caste as she unapologetically proclaimed her right to liberty by successfully escaping the bonds of slavery and wherein freedom for oneself was insufficient when others remained in bondage. The unconquerable American hero, Harriet Ross Tubman, was an abolitionist and political activist who dedicated her life to the universal plight for freedom for all.
It is only fitting that South Dixie Highway’s current nomenclature be replaced by the matchless legacy of a warrior whose heroic and selfless fight for freedom and justice has served the best interests of Miami-Dade County, the State of Florida, and the nation, and has undoubtedly provided a direct and significant impact on Miami-Dade County (the “County”).
On February 19, 2020, the County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution R-168-20, renaming those portions of Old Dixie Highway from S.W. 304th Street to S.W. 146th Court, S.W. 232nd Street to S.W. 218th Street, and S.W. 98th Street to Datran Boulevard as “Harriet Tubman Highway”; renaming that portion of West Dixie Highway from N.E. 163rd Street to N.E. 215th Street as “Harriet Tubman Highway”; urging the Florida Legislature to rename that portion of West Dixie Highway/State Road 909 from N.E. 119th Street to N.E. 163rd Street as “Harriet Tubman Highway”; urging the Florida Legislature to rename that portion of South Dixie Highway/U.S. Route 1/State Road 5 from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line to State Road 9A/I-95 northbound as “Harriet Tubman Highway”; urging the City of Homestead to rename that portion of Old Dixie Highway from S.W. 312th Street to S.W. 304th Street as “Harriet Tubman Highway”; approving these renamings; and urging applicable municipalities to join in approval of these renamings (Attachment “A”).
The Town Council desires to express its strong support of County Resolution No. R-168-20 and join in formally requesting that the State of Florida rename the portion of South Dixie Highway/U.S. 1 from S.W. 112th Avenue/South Allapattah Road to S.W. 184th Street/Eureka Drive to “Harriet Tubman Highway,” in recognition of Ms. Tubman’s immeasurable contributions to the fabric of this nation and to honor her memory, legacy, and tenacity.
RECOMMENDATION
Town Staff recommends that the attached Resolution be adopted, expressing strong support of County Resolution No. R-168-20 and joining in formally requesting that the portion of South Dixie Highway from S.W. 112th Avenue/South Allapattah Road to S.W. 184th Street/Eureka Drive be renamed to “Harriet Tubman Highway”.
ATTACHMENT
Ø Attachment “A” - Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
Resolution R-168-20 (dated February 19, 2020)