City Coat of Arms
Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida                    December 28  2010
 The 12 months of 2010
    Details of the events of 2010 can be found in Previous Issues

January

    Aviles Street sidewalk diningAviles Street sidewalk dining plan approved. Transfer of Lincolnville's historic Echo House from its trusteeship to St. Paul AME Church for use as a School of Excellence is proposed. Plan for motorcycle parking in Visitor Center parking facility. Pat Croce pirate museum to replace TepeeTown on bayfront. LED lighting considered for Visitor Center parking facility.  Former Panache Salon property will be redeveloped as a piano bar, while Cordova Street property opposite Tolomato Cemetery will become a restaurant. Father Grajales statue moved from Plaza to courtyard of Cathedral.
City Hall

Ten major stories of 2010

   

·   Bridge of Lions reopens

·   University of Florida       takes over historic       properties management

·   First America Foundation to manage  450th Commemoration

·   City manager retires

·   Aviles Street makeover

·   M&M Market seized

·   Mooring fields installed

·   $22.5 million bond plan  for major projects

·   Land transferred for Castillo Center

·   1960s Civil Rights arrest records expunged

Sign on for Report

Previous Issues
February
     Skateboard area of Hamilton Upchurch Park reopens after installation of sound barrier wall. Mooring ball removal scheduled as city plans development of mooring fields along bayfront and in Salt Run. City Commission approves greater variety of architectural styles in Historic Preservation District One south of Plaza. City to bid on US 1/King Street car wash site. Federal officials reject plan for Amtrak rail service along east coast.

March
      The Bridge of Lions reopens after five years of restoration.Flagler College's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Bridge of Lionsdevelops plan to convert 40-foot transoceanic containers into housing for the homeless.  Echo House deed is transferred to St. Paul AME Church, which now faces some $600,000 in restoration. Former Police Chief Bill Robinson dies. Dr. Michael Gannon, distinguished service professor of history emeritus at the University of Florida, is awarded the first Florida Lifetime Literary Achievement Award. 

April
     City Manager Bill Harriss announces retirement after 25 Bill Harrissyears with the city, twelve as its chief executive officer. City Chief Operations Officer John Regan named city manager. Non-profit foundation proposed to manage 450th Commemoration. Bayfront sightseeing vehicle drop-off for Spanish Quarter planned. City seeks 30-year lease of 34 state-owned historic properties here. City attorney suggests flags may no longer be allowed on the Bridge of Lions, but Florida Department of Transportation will make decision. Fire heavily damages historic Clark-Worley House on West King Street.
 May
     Visitor Information Center restrooms reopen after months of repairs for faulty air conditioning installation. First America series of seven programs completed. City and University of Florida reconcile after city's unsuccessful effort to block university's takeover of historic property management. Donna Wendler files notice of intent to sue city on denial of permits to demolish seven homes for boutique hotel on King Street. Proposed carriage ordinance workshops begin. Los Floridanos Society installs historic marker on Visitor Center grounds.
 June
     University of Florida takes over management of 34 state-owned historic properties. OrdinanceTemporary bridge debris on Riberia Street proposed to shift architectural style guidelines from state-regulated Comprehensive Plan to local control. Carrera Street favored, but former Florida East Coast rail station at US 1 and San Marco Avenue chosen as "shovel-ready" to apply for an Amtrak station. City plans to expand recycling. Lighting contractor will donate installation of under-lighting for Bridge of Lions. Fountain of Youth Patriarch John Fraser dies. Temporary bridge debris recycled to riprap former landfill on Riberia Street. Council on Aging gains approval for observation platform on Matanzas River.
July
     Regan
  
John Regan takes over as city manager. LED lighting for Visitor Center parking facility awarded $250,000 grant. Non-profit foundation proposed to run 450th Commemoration. Multiple exhibit venues needed for commemorations. City trimming $2 million from budget. Public recycling bins in city future. City Clerk Karen Rogers retires. Commuter rail to Jacksonville studied. St. Augustine Archaeology Association plans historic marker program.  


 August
     Aviles Street makeover begins. City pares $2 million from budget.  First America Foundation, private non-profit, designated to run 450th Commemoration. Short term rental code approved. Panhandling regulations advance. City trims delegation to visit Spain. Reconnecting the Castillo & the bayfront under study. San Sebastian bridge replacement planned. Recycle bins approved. Historic schooner Lynx may winter here.

 September
   Quick curb at King Street intersection
   Visitor Center exhibit hall studied. City's West Augustine utility sale to county supported. Castillo OKs ticket sales in Spanish Quarter.  Plan to unsnarl King/Cordova streets traffic.  Repairs begin on historic properties. City, University of Florida reach agreement on historic properties management. Aviles Street reopens with fiesta. Fort Mose getting new exhibits.  Picasso exhibit planned here.  King Street flooding correction project delayed until January.

October
  City/state land package transferred for Castillo Center in Spanish Quarter. City offers relaxed parking for existing properties in response to Wendler claim on hotel denial.University and city celebrate partnership. Design for commercial portion of Inland Harbor project under review. City says Galimore pool is "county responsibility." Stiffer noise penalties proposed. Reconnecting the Castillo & the bayfront goes to design stage.

November
  City proposes $22.5 million bond plan for major projects. Noise ordinance with stiffer fines approved. Alison Ratkovic named city clerk. Police close M&M Market, arrest owners. Designs presented for Castillo/Bayfront connection. Sally Walton honored in retirement. Preservation institute among University of Florida proposals for St. Augustine.

December
  City to purchase M&M Market in settlement agreement. National Park Service delays Castillo center land transfer.  Effort to stretch funds to operate both Calhoun and Galimore pools. $22.5 million bond issue delayed to January. Alcohol sales for special events at Government House and Spanish Quarter approved. State Clemency Board expunges 1960s Civil Rights arrest records. Leanna Freeman named vice mayor at City Commission reorganization meeting.
     The St. Augustine Report is published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine each Tuesday and on Fridays previewing City Commission meetings. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor.  Contact The Report at gardner@aug.com