The discovery of a prehistoric Tequestra Indian village at a development being constructed in downtown Miami has been officially referred to mediation by city commissioners.

The village, dated at over 2,000 years old and considered an archaeological find of significant importance by historians and archaeologists, rests on a lot that a local Miami developer seeks to build a hotel complex on.  The developer, MDM, has challenged three separate decisions rendered by Miami’s Historic Preservation Board that rejected proposals by MDM for preserving the ancient village while proceeding with their development plans.

There is precedence for developments that incorporate archaeological finds with the final land use, and optimism remains high that a compromise can be reached.  City commissioners, noting the increasingly strident and hostile political atmosphere surrounding the dispute, approved a measure referring the negotiations to mediation in hopes of resolving the issue without any further public contention.

One of the main issues in dispute is who would maintain control over the site.  The Historic Preservation Board wants to be left in charge of ensuring the continued maintenance and preservation of the site.  MDM has stated it would not be satisfied with having an outside party in control over its property.  It’s also not clear who would enforce any agreement reached in mediation, though the city has retained the Coral Gable’s City Attorney’s Office as a contingency.