Resolution 233-2022 RESOLUTION NO. 233 -2022
A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING THE ACQUISITION OF THE FORMER
HAWK MISSILE SITE THROUGH A LAND SWAP WITH
THE CITY OF KEY WEST IN EXCHANGE FOR THE
COUNTY-OWNED HIGGS MEMORIAL BEACH PARK.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida ("the
Board")is the governing body of the political subdivision of the State of Florida known as Monroe
County ("the County"); and
WHEREAS, the former Hawk Missile Site ("the property") is a 43.77-acre site located
approximately 800 feet north of the existing Key West International Airport, and was utilized by
the United States Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a base for surface-to-air hawk missiles;
and
WHEREAS, in 2002 the U.S. Federal Government transferred ownership of the property
from the Department of Interior to the City of Key West specifically for public recreational use;
and
WHEREAS, since transfer of ownership to the City of Key West, the property and its
buildings have remained partially abandoned and/or used as a stockpiling area for construction
materials; and
WHEREAS, the County has made an effort to acquire the property from the City of Key
West with the intent of restoring a portion of the site to its natural state for mitigation purposes;
and
WHEREAS,the County has owned Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park(hereinafter
"Higgs Beach"), located at 1000 Atlantic Blvd. in Key West and comprising approximately 16.5
acres of oceanfront property, for decades; and
WHEREAS, the Board, acting as the governing body of the County supports swapping
Higgs Beach to the City of Key West in exchange for the Hawk Missile Site; and
WHEREAS, once the County acquires the property, the Board intends to use the property
as a public park and recreation area with a portion of the site being restored to its natural state with
native vegetation and ecological conditions; and
WHEREAS,the restored site will serve as a mitigation area for wetland impacts resulting
from Key West International Airport improvement projects and will be maintained as such under
a conservation easement in perpetuity by the County; and
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WHEREAS, space for passive public recreational use would be included as part of
restoration efforts as was intended during the 2002 transfer of ownership from the Department of
Interior to the City of Key West; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County and Key West International Airport administration have a
vision for the property and believe in its potential future as a clean, safe, recreational environment
for Monroe County residents and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County continues to work in partnership with local and federal
agencies, including the National Park Service,to protect and maintain the environmental health of
the Florida Keys and particularly that of the Hawk Missile Site
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA:
Section 1. Expresses its support for the acquisition of the former Hawk Missile Site from the
City of Key West.
Section 2. Supports a land swap of County-owned Clarence S.Higgs Memorial Beach Park in
exchange for the former Hawk Missile Site.
Section 3. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting held on the 17th day of August, 2022.
Mayor David Rice Yes
Mayor Pro Tern Craig Cates Yes
� Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Yes "r` i
1 0 �tA4 Commissioner James K. Scholl Yes
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein Yes (—)
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS c3
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: By:
A Deput Jerk Mayor a ' ice
APuROVE
OE:COUNT?ATTORNEY
ro FORM
PED O J:
ASSISTA UNTY ATTORNEY
Date 8/11/22
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