St. Augustine Report Year in Review

Published by former Mayor George Gardner December 28 2011

The Report is an independent publication serving our community.

Contributions in its support are greatly appreciated.

George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084

The 12 months of 2011

Details of the events of 2011 can be found in Previous Issues

January

Jail time sought for graffiti / M&M building, carriage ordinance, bayfront designs go before commission / Lift Up Lincolnville projects under way / Bicycle trails surveyed / Nelmar proposed for National Register District / 450 foundation plans partnerships / King Street drainage project begins

Top 10 stories

of 2011

Spanish Quarter closes
First America Foundation folds
County discontinues Galimore management
Commission challenges FSDB
$18 million bond issue approved
Civil Rights monuments dedicated
Carriage ordinance adopted
Graffiti ordinance adopted
M&M property listed at $345,000
$20 million sewer project needs hookups

February

Spanish Quarter improvements / Improvements for Orange Street / Homeless count 1,586 / Bayfront redesign approved, but questions remain / County to discontinue Galimore Center management / UF support team begins work on state-owned historic properties here / City seeks stiffer penalties on graffiti / deAviles Award proposed for Dr. Robert Hayling / Amtrak plan still alive

March

$18 million capital improvement bond issue approved / County rejects $6 million purchase price for West Augustine utility service area / Andrew Young marker designed / Historic Marineland bar seeks home / County offers $400,000 settlement on Galimore pool / Bayfront designs to be scaled back / City plans tree inventory / Visitor Center settlement $200,000 on defective installations / Lions return to reopened Bridge of Lions / Comprehensive Plan updated

April
Archaeology Center dedication

FSDB, neighbors to meet on school's plans / Peck property transferred to National Park Service for orientation center / Riberia Street project begins / Carriage ordinance adopted / Dr. Sue Middleton Archaeology Center opens / $2.5 million sought for bayfront redesign / City Commission table to be replaced / Mooring fields response positive

May

City vocal on First America Foundation silence / New directions, current efforts outlined for 450th / St. Augustine Foot Soldiers monument dedicated / Ideas sought for M&M building / Crosswalk signage, Marine Street sidewalks planned / City in harbor pilot program / Carriage ordinance tweaking begins / Alternate carriage routes to be tested / City seeks FSDB input on plans

June

City adopts 450 logo / First America Foundation folds / City accepts county's $400,000 for Galimore pool, center management / 24-hour parking now at Castillo / City to FSDB: obey codes / Galimore study continues / Andrew Young Crossing tribute dedicated / Constitution Monument proposed as landmark / Biassou statue proposed for Visitor Center

July

Spanish Quarter to close / Federal St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission here for inaugural meeting / Professionals sought to direct 450th / Tax millage stays at 7.5; reserves to cover needs / Large buildings crowd City Gate / Church considers Excelsior building use / Monument replicas in trade with Cadiz, Aviles / San Sebastian bridge project begins / In-street crossing signage planned for San Marco, other crosswalks / One bid for Water Works building repair / Fireworks draw 100,000 / Oldest Store Museum reopens at Old Jail complex

August

New revenue in adjusted garage fees / Spanish Quarter funding cut / Exhibition area planned in Visitor Center / Commission challenges FSDB / Tough graffiti ordinance proposed / Florida National Guard bids for remaining vacant city hall space / Rookie police tapped for movie / Plaza artist limits under review / Historic height limits studied / Seawall preservation a priority / Archives would be digitized with grant / Visitor Center key to exhibit space / Habitat will try mini rehabs

September

Garage fee adjustment to increase revenue / Smithsonian can be a 450 partner / M&M bids reviewed / 2011-12 city budget adopted / City to keep Galimore open / City presses FSDB case / $1.5 million in 450 support from bed tax / Graffiti ordinance advances / 1902 Fire bell set at fire station for 911 ceremonies

October

Uptown sign toppers Sewer funding plan advances for West Augustine / Lincolnville farmers market opens / City Commissioner Errol Jones arrested / Beautification along San Marco / Southern Red Cedar adopted as city tree / Seawall project on display / Planters grace San Marco corridor / Morrison building retains history / Miami Tri Events plans marathon weekend / Uptown adds street sign toppers / Galimore management bids sought / Garage parking fees increased

November

Miami support sought for monument replicas / 16th century boatyard dedicated / City discovers its royal title / Salvaged cannons unveiled / St. Augustine's Neighborhood Council serves associations / Traffic, rental woes for Flagler neighborhood / $3,661 in graffiti penalties / Changing of the Guard returns / Hundreds honor 'bravest heroes' / Historic Rail Society explored

December

Riberia Street 1st phase reopens / State Rep. Proctor seeks eminent domain for FSDB / Interim director, modified stamp for 450th / West Augustine sewer project depends on hookups / M&M property listed at $345,000 / Distillery okayed for Ice House / 450th meetings to fold into regular agenda / Children's Museum finds home at Dow Museum of Homes

The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com