Daniel Ciraldo stepped down as executive director of the Miami Design Preservation League, the nonprofit he led for about eight years.
Ciraldo, who often spoke in support or against proposed developments in Miami Beach, filed to run for Miami Beach commissioner in February.
His resignation was effective March 31. His salary for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 was $140,000, according to the Miami Design Preservation League’s most recent Form 990. Ciraldo started with the organization in 2014 as a historic preservation officer.
At two city meetings last month, Miami Beach commissioner David Suarez raised concerns about alleged conflicts of interest.
Suarez discussed his issues during the city’s Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee meeting on March 26, at which point Miami Design Preservation League’s Vice Chair Nina Weber Worth said that Ciraldo resigned.
During his presentation, Suarez pointed out contributions that the nonprofit received from developers, including a $5,000 donation from Terra in September, and Ciraldo’s support two months later of Terra and the Meruelo family’s proposed redevelopment of the oceanfront Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach.
At a Miami Beach commission meeting on March 19, Ciraldo supported the project, praising its design and David Martin, Terra’s CEO.
But Ciraldo was also critical of the Meruelos and of the height the developers are seeking. The commission voted on first reading to approve two ordinances tied to the project.
“A donation is made. [The] position is either changed or made in favor of it,” Suarez said during the finance meeting. He pointed to other examples of the nonprofit receiving contributions from a developer, tying the donations to public support or opposition.
Ciraldo pushed back, and told The Real Deal his resignation is not connected to Suarez’s “smear campaign.” He wrote on Facebook that he’s been a registered lobbyist for historic preservation since at least 2015.
“I take my ethical and legal responsibilities seriously. It’s disappointing to see individuals like David Suarez attempt to mischaracterize my work and the contributions of the Miami Design Preservation League for political gain,” he wrote.
Weber Worth, who represented the preservation league at the finance meeting days after the commission meeting, said the organization is in transition.
“We can also work with you in setting the guidelines for who we can take contributions from, and how we can always put our best forward as a lobbyist when needed,” she said.
According to its website, the nonprofit Miami Design Preservation League is a “preservation and arts organization that preserves, protects, and promotes the architectural, cultural, social, and environmental integrity of Miami Beach and the surrounding areas.”
Miami Beach commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez is among elected officials who have defended Ciraldo and the Miami Design Preservation League.
“I’m concerned that this attack on the preservation league is some way to dismantle our historic preservation protections,” she said at the March 19 meeting.
If elected commissioner, Ciraldo said he will focus on infrastructure and continue to advocate for residents.
“We’ve got to fix our infrastructure before we promote more high-rises in Miami Beach,” he said. “I’ve been going to Tallahassee advocating for some preemption bills. I think I’ll be able to advocate even more.”
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