Restoration Case Studies & Organizations
Since the late 1980s, there have been four significant restoration projects and other initiatives that have positively impacted the city’s limited cultural resources.
With renewed interest in the subject, and in advance of the 100th anniversary of the city’s founding in 2026, Opa-locka is positioned to add more wins to a campaign to save.
Built by Summer of 1926, restored by 1991
Harry Hurt Building
Opa-locka Seaboard Air Line Railroad Station
Built by March 1927, restored by 2003
Walter and Carrie Dove House
Built circa 1927, restoration work near completion for 2024
Timeline of Preservation Programs & Activities
Mid -1980s: Establishment of the Opa-locka Historic Preservation Board, by ordinance and approval of the City of Opa-locka’s City Commission.
1986 - 1987: Restoration of the Opa-locka Administration Building and fire station at a cost of $1,143,500.00, commissioned by the Opa-locka Historic Preservation Board. Skilled painters William Coulthard and Karen Schoepflin painstakingly restored the ceilings and walls with ornate stencil work. Michael Maxwell and Associates, which included consultant Emily Perry, were tasked with overseeing this comprehensive agenda, which also included documenting all historic properties located in the city’s boundaries.
1987 - 1991: Restoration of the Hurt Building began in 1987 but came to a halt a year later when the developer went bankrupt. The initial work cost $600,000, with an additional $240,416 loan and $140,000 appropriation from the state helping to get the building fully restored. The building is where it is today thanks to Representative Willie Logan, the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation, the City of Opa-locka, and the county.
1991 - 2003: Restoration of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Station Trust, was a partnership with the Dade Heritage Trust, the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation, and the City of Opa-locka. The restoration was supervised by John Gaither, with tile work restoration completed by muralist Patricia Obringer. The full work was completed in June of 2003.
2022-2023: Restoration of The Dove House, a privately owned residence on Jann Avenue, the first home in Opa-locka to be faithfully restored to its 1927 appearances. Work included: a replacement of the flooring; a resurrection of the original porch room and period-appropriate windows; fireplace restoration with period-appropriate tile and reclaimed pecky cypress mantle; a recreation of the porch railing; custom Rose-beige color to match the original layer unearthed during restoration; refinishing of original interior doors and hardware, as well as one original exterior window; installation of period-appropriate spear-tip awnings; replacement of front exterior door to a period-appropriate, batten-style.
2023: Restoration to commence on the Opa-locka Administration Building and fire station, with the former’s anticipated completion being the end of 2023 and the latter sometime in 2024-2025.
Historic & Environmental Preservation Board of Opa-locka
Meeting on an as-needed basis and no less than six times per year, the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEPB) convenes to discuss and vote on building permits of locally-registered historic sites, as well as other related preservation/restoration initiatives.
For more information and to learn about past and future meetings, please visit the city’s website below where you will find agendas, packets, and meeting location dates/times.
https://opalockafl.gov/304/Agendas-Minutes
Interested in making your Opa-locka home a historic landmark? Reach out to the city’s Planning & Community Development department to learn more and get the process started.
Founded in 1972, Dade Heritage Trust is Miami-Dade County’s largest preservation organization.
Their mission is to preserve Miami-Dade County’s architectural, environmental, and cultural heritage through preservation, education and advocacy efforts.
To learn more, visit: https://dadeheritagetrust.org/.
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is the state’s nonprofit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary heritage and history. Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust has collaborated to save irreplaceable Florida treasures like the Historic Florida Capitol, serves as a steward for historic properties throughout the state and is a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
To learn more, visit: https://www.floridatrust.org/mission
The Miami Design Preservation League is a not-for-profit preservation and arts organization that preserves, protects, and promotes the architectural, cultural, social, and environmental integrity of Miami Beach and the surrounding areas.
For more information, visit: https://mdpl.org/
Chartered in 1966 and Miami-Dade’s oldest preservation organization, The Villagers is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic sites in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
To learn more, visit: https://thevillagersinc.org/about-new/
For more than 70 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has led the movement to save America’s historic places. A privately funded nonprofit organization, theywork to save America's historic sites; tell the full American story; build stronger communities; and invest in preservation's future.
For more information, visit: https://savingplaces.org/we-are-saving-places
Under Miami-Dade County’s Regulatory and Economic Resources division, the Historic Preservation department provides resources to municipalities and communities countywide, as well as oversees a nine-member board appointed to review permits for historic-registered properties in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. The department also provides studies, reports, and guidelines for historic preservation.
For more information, visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/economy/historic-preservation/home.page