Miami Officials Vote to Preserve Indian Carvings

MIAMI — Agreeing that they wanted to be “on the right side of history,” Miami-Dade County commissioners voted Thursday to preserve a centuries-old circle carved in stone, despite a developer’s warnings that it may cost the county a king’s ransom.

After hours of appeals from preservationists, archeologists and Native Americans, the commissioners voted to pursue a plan that could lead to condemnation of the private property to preserve the ancient ring of carvings cut into limestone bedrock.

But the developer, who wants to build a $100-million condominium and commercial complex on the prime banking district property, warned officials that they would have to foot a multimillion-dollar bill if they seize the property.

The Miami Circle was discovered last summer on a 2.3-acre parcel of land at the juncture of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay.