Beneath a Glass Floor Lobby - Lisa Danker, 2016

In 2012, architectural remains of a once-thriving native Tequesta village were excavated at the ‘birthplace’ of Miami. Dated to at least 600 A.D., the excavations were believed to be evidence of one of the earliest permanent settlements on the eastern U.S. coast. “Beneath a Glass Floor Lobby“ reports on the City of Miami’s decision to grant permission for commercial development on this site. Woven into a voiceover by the filmmaker, recordings from public hearings reveal how some citizens’ demands to preserve history and honor the Tequestas were ultimately ignored in the face of commercial influence.