Miami Beach at Risk: Malicious Bill Could Destroy Art Deco Landmarks

Now more than ever, it’s time to unite and raise our voices in defense of the Miami Beach Art Deco Historic District. A wave of legislation threatens to destroy decades of preservation efforts, handing unprecedented power to developers while weakening local control.

The Threat: State-Level “Bad Bills”

Over the last three years, the Florida legislature has effectively handed more and more power to developers leaving historic structures and communities at risk.  Here are the bad bills from the last two years. We need your help now more than ever to defeat the bad bill from this year, SB 1730. Together, the three bills below have the power to permanently sabotage Miami Beach and the Historic Art Deco District. 

2023 🔴SB 718—Signed into law in 2023. This bill prohibits local governments from using initiative or referendum processes concerning any land development regulation. This means that local residents and voters no longer have the ability to propose or vote directly on land development regulations or zoning changes via ballot measures. 

2024 🔴SB 1526—Signed into law in 2024. This bill aimed to streamline the demolition and redevelopment process for aging coastal properties, particularly in flood-prone areas. While it facilitates property redevelopment, the law has raised concerns among preservationists about the potential loss of historic structures and the weakening of local control over land use decisions

2025 🔴SB 1730 (Awaiting Governor's Decision)—This bill strips power from local preservation boards and cities like Miami Beach by preempting local authority. It mandates that proposed developments be allowed to match the tallest buildings within a three-quarter-mile radius—even in historic districts. Developers can use this loophole to override neighborhood protections, sidelining community voices and threatening the architectural legacy of Miami Beach.

A District Under Siege

Preserving the Art Deco District has always been a balancing act between visionary citizens and profit-driven developers, often backed by powerful political allies. But in recent years, the stakes have risen dramatically. We’ve seen the shoreline of Sunny Isles transformed into a wall of luxury towers—a concrete canyon that blocks the sky and casts long shadows.

Now, with oceanfront land growing scarce, developers have turned their eyes toward Miami Beach’s historic core—the world’s largest concentration of Art Deco architecture. What they see as “underbuilt opportunity,” we know to be a living cultural treasure.

What’s at Risk

• Irreplaceable landmarks may be boxed in or overshadowed by new construction.

• The walkability and human scale that define Miami Beach could be lost.

• The unique character that draws millions of visitors each year is under threat.

• In the long run, tourism and local economy will suffer as authenticity erodes.
  

The Call to Action - the only bill DeSantis can act on right now!

This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about identity, legacy, and the soul of a city. Miami Beach has never been more vulnerable. If we don’t act now—loudly, strategically, and together—we risk losing what makes it one of the most iconic and beloved destinations in the world. Reach out to Governor DeSantis(click here) or members of his staff and ask him to veto SB 1730—he may not be fully aware that this bill was intentionally crafted to target Miami Beach.

Preservation isn't anti-progress. It's about smart growth that respects community, human scale, and history. Let’s make sure the voices of the people, not just the profits of developers, shape the future of Miami Beach.