The fate of the Pan Am seaplane terminal at Dinner Key has been a topic of concern for Grove residents since late last month when the Miami Herald published a story saying the City of Miami planned to move City Hall to Freedom Park in 2028. (The Spotlight published a similar story in 2024.) Miami District 2 Damian Pardo was asked this week what will happen to the historic terminal once the new City Hall opens near Miami International Airport.
In response, Pardo said the future use of the building has not been decided. “Obviously, we are not anywhere near finalizing anything on City Hall. So, the reports (that) we are moving and it’s done, that’s all really premature. Very premature,” he said.
Pardo also suggested the terminal may continue to house commission offices and host meetings in the space where the commission currently meets.
“This is City Hall to me. This is historic, it’s part of the Grove, it’s part of Miami. I would not like to see us leave here,” Pardo said. “I would like us to stay here as a city or be able to retain our chambers and a lot of our activities.”
If that’s not possible, Pardo said the Pan Am building should be preserved and protected as a public space with public access, perhaps with a nonprofit organization occupying the space.
“I think there’s plenty of room to make sure we are protecting this building, we are protecting the history of the Grove, the history of Miami, and I think we are very committed to that,” he said.
