COSTOMIRIS, JOYCE.

This thesis extends the analysis of the economic benefits of historic
preservation from the individual property owner to the entire
community. Analyses are made of Miami Beach, Florida - once a wealthy
resort community - and Palm Beach, Florida - which has maintained its
status as a wealthy resort community. By comparing Miami B~ch results
with Palm Beach results, the analyses determine whether Miami Beach's
preservation decisions, which pertained to its character and residential
nature, have resulted in an adverse impact on its economic vitality.
The type of analysis used is a time series analysis. Time series
analyses of each community's individual tax base are conducted to
determine whether age has had a positive or negative impact on the
community. The analyses showed that in Miami Beach, as time passed,
the tax base declined; yet in Palm Beach, as time passed, the tax base
improved. Given the analyses, together with the history of the communities,
it is concluded that massive reinvestment in new buildings
did not result in an enhanced economic vitality in Miami Beach.