Bill Overview
Title: Stiltsville Restoration Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to approve, in writing, the repair of the Stiltsville structure in Biscayne National Park in Florida known as the LeShaw House, which was damaged by a fire on January 11, 2021.
Sponsors: Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with an interest in the restoration of Stiltsville's LeShaw House
Estimated Size: 15000
- The primary target population consists of individuals who have a direct interest in Stiltsville, specifically the LeShaw House, such as preservationists, local historians, and cultural heritage enthusiasts.
- Stiltsville is a small group of wood stilt houses located in Biscayne National Park, making it a point of interest for tourists, particularly those visiting the national park.
- Residents of the Miami-Dade County area may have a vested interest due to the cultural and historical significance of Stiltsville.
- Other groups likely to be impacted include employees of Biscayne National Park who may manage or oversee restoration operations.
- Local businesses in the surrounding area might benefit from increased tourism if the structure attracts more visitors after restoration.
Reasoning
- The primary population affected includes preservationists and historians, who are interested due to the cultural significance of Stiltsville.
- Residents of Miami-Dade are also interested because of local heritage ties and potential regional tourism benefits.
- We will include park employees who will oversee restoration and manage potentially increased tourist traffic.
- Local businesses expect to benefit economically due to increased visitors post-restoration.
- The total budget is limited to $500,000 in the first year and $500,000 over the next 10 years, restricting large-scale efforts to direct restoration activities.
- The estimated interested target population is relatively small, around 20,000 but with a more focused group of 15,000 that are closely connected to the Miami-Dade area.
Simulated Interviews
Local Historian (Miami, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the restoration of LeShaw House is crucial for cultural preservation.
- It's a vital part of our local history that deserves attention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
National Park Employee (Biscayne National Park, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration can increase visitor engagement and educational opportunities at the park.
- It presents logistical challenges but enriches our culture and visitor experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Small Business Owner (Homestead, Florida)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An increase in tourism would be beneficial for my business.
- I'm cautiously optimistic about the project's success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
National Heritage Preservationist (New York City, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While not directly impacted, supporting historic preservation aligns with my professional values.
- I hope this act sets a precedent for future projects nationwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Key Largo, Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Bringing more attention to our local history is exciting.
- It could also improve the community vibe and connections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Travel Blogger (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project adds another location of interest for my travel narratives.
- I'd be inclined to visit and promote the destination post-restoration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Tour Guide (Miami, Florida)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stiltsville's restoration would likely increase my business.
- It provides richer stories and histories for me to share with guests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Environmental Activist (Miami Beach, Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration efforts need to ensure environmental protections are in place.
- I support initiatives balancing preservation with ecological health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Retired Engineer (Coral Gables, Florida)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoring LeShaw House aligns with my interests in architecture and history.
- This funding should be carefully managed to avoid overspending.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Film Producer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although not directly impacted, seeing cultural restoration is good for artistic inspiration.
- It offers potential content for a future documentary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The total cost of restoration must include both direct construction expenses and indirect costs like planning and compliance.
- The project could foster local economic activity through tourism and related services.
- Cultural and historical preservation enhances national heritage, potentially providing long-term societal value beyond direct financial measures.