450 - starting over

   City workshop June 27 to map plans

   A revitalized website, iconic logo designs, and a long list of ideas are on tap for a City Commission 450th workshop at its next meeting, June 27, following the folding of its designated commemoration manager, the First America Foundation.

   "This will be a key meeting to put ideas together and get under way," City Manager John Regan said at Monday's City Commission meeting.

   Looking over an extensive idea list Commissioner Bill Leary compiled from several sources, Vice Mayor Leanna Freeman said, "People should look this over and come forward with ideas they'd like to handle."

   One resident who came forward during the meeting, Colin Bingham who had helped create the First America Foundation, presented three new ideas that were well received: a 450th Improvement Club, marketing of two vacant city lots to reduce blight, and repair of the North City Train Station for use as a community center.

   Commissioners Monday also called on the County Commission to support a funding plan for the Galimore Center and pool, approved $7,500 in matching funds to keep Home Again St. Johns operating, and endorsed an application to raise the Constitution Monument to National Historic Landmark status.

   Commissioners agreed that workshops to discuss 450 planning should precede all future commission meetings. City Manager Regan said the foundation "is not a viable organization," and "with the monies that come back (estimated at $190,000 to $200,000 of the original $275,000 advanced) we should establish working capital to keep the 450th moving forward."

   In addition, Bridge of Lions Contractor Skanska donated $25,000 directly to the foundation.

   A 450 website developed several years ago for the city is ready to go on line, Heritage Director Dana Ste. Claire said, and Viva Florida and Florida Humanities Council websites are supporting the city's heritage.

   Regan said he's asked several designers to develop ideas for an official city 450 logo to be used in branding, and Vice Mayor Freeman developed a rack card template to key each commemoration year and its events.

   Responding to a county offer of $400,000 to discontinue its management of the Galimore Center and pool, the City Commission focused on creation of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), and wants assurance of county support for the idea before acting on the $400,000 offer.

   The CRA provides funding for specific projects by taking the difference in property tax revenue between its initial year and succeeding years, relying on property value increases. county support would not include a finanial burden, officials said.

   City Attorney Ron Brown said the interlocal agreement that provides county management of active parks in the city, including Galimore, Pomar, and the tennis courts at Francis Field, ends in March 2012.

Ø  Is this building original?

Only the DeMesa House is a restoration. Almost all the others are reconstructed on the exact foundations of the houses that were here about 1740. The chozas (huts) and blacksmith shop are not.

Ø  What time period is this?

The time period is around 1740. We cannot narrow our time to one year, so we generally say the 1740s. This can broaden the conversations and descriptions.

Ø  When were the British here?

The British were here from 1763-1784.

Ø  Where does the cross on my entry sticker come from? What does it mean?

This is the flag of St. Augustine's First Spanish Period, 1565 - 1763. The design, an X-shaped red cross on a white field, is the Cross of Burgundy, signifying the rough branches of the tree upon which St. Andrew, patron saint of Burgundy, was crucified. For more than 250 years, the flag was recognized as the Spanish National ensign and flew over Spanish colonies around the world.

Ø  Are the oranges, grapes, vegetables, eggs (foods in the museum buildings/grounds) real?

Yes, everything in the museum is real, including the fire and sharp tools. We ask our visitors to please not pick the fruit, or touch things, unless invited to do so.

Ø  What was the population?

A little over two thousand people lived here.

Ø  How many were soldiers?

To the best of our knowledge, approximately 200 men were soldiers. Of the 2000 people in St. Augustine, roughly half were authorized to draw government rations. The others were the city's civilian population.

Ø  Where did their food come from?

Food was imported and rationed to the soldiers. Some was grown in kitchen gardens.

Ø  Where was the bathroom?

The bathroom was a hole dug in the ground, a type of latrine. It would have been surrounded by bushes or a small fence.

It will take an army of volunteers "to present 18^th century life in Saint Augustine in as complete and accurate a manner as possible." (Mission statement). Contact Operations Manager Catherine Culver 904-825-6830 for information on volunteering.