Questions remain as grant process begins

   Twelve alternative plans and months of study and public outreach later, a Bayfront design modification fashioned within 48 hours of the City Commission meeting Monday won approval by a 3-2 vote.

   While a majority approved action on Reconnecting the Castillo & the Bayfront, commissioners had lingering questions and were assured they'll have more opportunities to discuss the plan's elements.

   In other action Monday, commissioners discussed plans for the February 26 Noche de Gala and ceremonies for visiting Spanish dignitaries, approved a granite marker in the southwest Plaza pathway to recognize civil rights leader Andrew Young, approved Dr. Robert Hayling to be given the deAviles Award, and passed a resolution urging state legislative action to increase penalties for graffiti damage to properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

Galimore pool to be city's responsibility

   "We have 225 interlocal agreements with municipalities," Bryan said. "Forty are with St. Augustine. We are subsidizing these agreements, and we can no longer do it."

   City officials had hoped the $292,000 budgeted for West Augustine's Solomon Calhoun pool might be stretched to include the Galimore pool, but that idea was rejected.

   The county has offered to repair the pool and turn it over to the city. Bids for repairs will be opened in mid-March. City Manager John Regan recommended the city take a cash settlement rather than repaired pool, "so our options are open."

Marina dredging planned

   City commissioners Monday approved plans to dredge shallow areas of the Municipal Marina, seeking $200,000, half the estimated $400,000 cost, from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND).  

   General Services Director Jim Piggott told commissioners the marina "is in dire need of dredging to remove accumulated sand and silt which pose a serious hazard to vessels moored in the marina at low tide."

   Piggott said the balance of funding could be drawn from the marina's reserve account.

Marker, award for Civil Rights leaders

   Dr. Robert B. Hayling led the local Civil Rights movement, while Andrew Young was a leader in the national effort.

   Both were attacked and beaten, and both will be honored for their sacrifices.

   Following City Commission approval Monday, Hayling will be given the deAviles Award, and Young, whose "Crossing in St. Augustine" documentary will receive an Emmy later this month, will have a marker at King and St. George streets, where he was attacked in June, 1964.

$20,001 for St. Francis House

   Mayor Joe Boles Monday presented a check for $20,001 to St. Francis House Director Renee Morris, proceeds of the mayor's annual Nights of Lights Gala.

Planning for commemorations

   A delegation of Spanish leaders, including the director of Spain's Constitutional Bicentennial in 2012, will be here for the Noche de Gala February 26, with ceremonies possibly including a document signing placing St. Augustine in the international consortium commemorating Spain's 1812 Constitution.

   St. Augustine's Constitution Monument is believed to be the only one surviving in the Americas after King Ferdinand, returning to power in 1814, ordered all such monuments destroyed.

UF support team launches effort

   Elements in the works or contemplated as the University of Florida (UF) Direct Support Organization (DSO) gets to work supporting the university's management of 34 state-owned historic properties here.

   The elements were described during the DSO's first session last week. The group includes heavy hitters in fundraising and heritage management, including a director with the National Historic Trust, a former National Park Service Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, and directors of the $1.5 billion UF Foundation.

   Those secret shoppers came from Disney World and Universal Studios, Florida's premier tourist oriented businesses, and a major conclusion of their visit: St. Augustine lacks a story for visitors - where to begin, what to see, a summary of the heritage experience.

   UF Vice President Ed Poppell said a key to the heritage experience will be the proposed National Park Service Visitor Orientation Center in the Colonial Spanish Quarter.
   "The park service designs its centers based on traffic, and plans a 9,600 square foot center for the Castillo, with a 3,000 square foot exhibit area," he said. "But we want a 10,000 square foot area to properly display both military history and the many artifacts stored at the university."

   University planners are working with the park service and Congressman John Mica for the expanded plan.

   Poppell said in addition to annual $650,000 PO&M (Property Operation and Maintenance) funding from the state, the university is lobbying for $1 million to renovate the museum area in Government House, $1 million to develop a community-based interpretive experience, and recurring funding for all historic buildings.

   "Above all, we have to understand that we are working with a living city," Poppell said. "It's not like Jamestown or Williamsburg. We have to be very sensitive."

 Visit the website dedicated to the St. Augustine effort.