Save the Mira Mar

Below is the official Compass Rose History position on the proposed demolition of the Mira Mar Apartments.

The staff of the City of Sarasota has recommended that the application of demolition be denied.
Next, a recommendation will be decided on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 by the City of Sarasota Historic Preservation Board.
The final decision will be made by the City of Sarasota Commission. We will update when we know when this will be on the Commission agenda.

If you would like to take action to save the Mira Mar, please send emails to the members of Historic Preservation Board and the City of Sarasota Commissioners (email addresses are at the bottom of post).

We have included a link to the text at the end of the statement. You are welcome to use pieces of our talking points in your letters.

OFFICIAL POSITION

To:

Mayor Erik Arroyo
Vice Mayor Kyle Battie
Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Commissioner Liz Alpert
Commissioner Hagen Brody

Dear Commissioners,

As local business owners and historians, we are deeply concerned to learn that the Mira Mar Apartments are at risk of demolition. As we often say to our clients, followers, and podcast listeners, a historic building isn’t good because it’s old; it’s old because it’s good.

We agree wholeheartedly with the City of Sarasota staff in its recommendation to deny demolition, and urge you to choose preservation for the following reasons.

Historical Significance
- The historic significance of this building cannot be understated. When completed in 1922, the City of Sarasota held a parade in honor of its developer Andrew McAnsh to celebrate the completion of the “Florida Wonder Apartments”. Now we find ourselves bracing for the potential loss of a 100 year old structure that is the only remaining piece of McAnsh’s original complex on Palm Avenue – having lost the Mira Mar Auditorium in the mid-1950s and the Mira Mar Hotel in the 1980s.
Economic Ecosystem
- This building supports a strong economy. To quote legendary urbanist, Jane Jacobs, “New ideas need old buildings.” New construction is expensive and eliminates the spaces accessible to the entrepreneurs and big dreamers that are going to continue moving Sarasota forward.
Environmental Impact
- This building would needlessly add to our landfills and both the demolition and the new construction would create harmful Co2 emissions.

Should demolition be considered, we implore the Historic Preservation Board and the City of Sarasota Commission to mandate the salvage of 25% structural wood. This would go beyond saving decorative elements to include much needed beams and joists.

Though one person or entity may be rightful owners of a structure, the history itself belongs to each and every one of us. We understand the challenge both the Historic Preservation Board and the City of Sarasota Commission face in these difficult decisions, and we hope you will take our request to heart.

Save History. Make History,

Mimi Cirbusova and Andrea Knies, Co-Founders

Compass Rose History Experiences, LLC.

contact@compassrosehistory.com | 941.451.7312

Here is the link to the text. Feel free to use anything you would like in your letters.

City of Sarasota Commission Email Addresses:

Mayor Erik Arroyo, Erik.Arroyo@sarasotafl.gov

Vice Mayor Kyle Battie, Kyle.Battie@sarasotafl.gov

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, Jen.Ahearn-Koch@sarasotafl.gov

Commissioner Liz Alpert, Liz.Alpert@sarasotafl.gov

Commissioner Hagen Brody, Hagen.Brody@sarasotafl.gov

City of Sarasota Historic Preservation Board Email Addresses: