$2.7 million streetscape plan seeks 'hybrid' funding

Published by former Mayor George Gardner October 9 2013

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$2.7 million streetscape

plan seeks 'hybrid' funding

Artist design for Spanish Street looking north, with darker flush curbing, brick street and coquina sidewalks

City commissioners will seek "hybrid" financing for a portion of a proposed $2.7 million historic streetscape plan for the city's downtown.
The plan, approved by commissioners September 23 with a target date for completion before 2015, was developed with a $150,000 grant from the federal Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program.
It encompasses St. George and its cross streets and parallel Spanish, Charlotte and Cordova streets.
The $1.2 million in underground utility work will come from Utility Fund reserves, and commissioners decided the city will pay half the remaining $1.5 million for above ground improvements, directing City Manager John Regan to work with business property owners to cover the $750,000 balance. Regan said an assessment would work out to $1.11 a front foot monthly.

Public Works Director Martha Graham said scheduling includes a bid process this fall and construction start in January.

Streetscape plan highlights:

Vehicle travel lanes of 9 feet (typical is 11 feet) with flush curbing

Energy efficient LED street lamps

Wooden furniture replacing concrete benches, and black or brown trash/recycle receptacles and bicycle racks

Shade trees, planters and hanging baskets

Coquina concrete on St. George, brick on surrounding streets

Coquina concrete flush curbs and sidewalks

Accident makes

protest point

Nothing like an accident to put the exclamation point on opposition to a 7-Eleven store and gas pumps at congested San Marco Avenue and May Street.

Neighborhoods organized a 2-4 pm protest rally Sunday, complete with bright green tee shirts with 7-11 dice, "Nobody Wins" and "Stop the 7-Eleven."

They were there to witness an SUV hit a bicyclist at San Marco and San Carlos avenues. Nelmar Terrace resident Skip Hutton said the accident demonstrates that "People are being injured and killed because this intersection and the adjacent corridors function so poorly."

Paperwork has not yet been submitted for city Planning and Building Department approval.

$44,300 to volunteers

for Mumford concert

More than 400 volunteers for the Children's Museum of St. Johns (CMSJ) helped raise more than $44,300 in tips and portions of drink sales during the recent Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road tour.

The 30 cents a drink share brought in $20,300, but it was topped by more than $24,000 in tip jars at the drink booths.

The museum continues fundraising in hopes of establishing a children's museum as part of a multiuse plan for Riberia Pointe at the south end of Riberia Street.

Building mural here

reflects national trend

City Commission approval of a mural on the side of the Riberia Street Ice Plant building, where the St. Augustine Distillery is being established, is a cautious entry into a practice of numerous other cities - highlighting downtown heritage, adding visual interest, and educating people about the community's history.

St. Augustine has a strict sign code, but commissioners okayed the mural at their September 23 meeting as part of a Planned Unit Development.

From Downtown Digest, The Chillicothe MO mural program includes plaques explaining the history and significance of buildings as well as names of benefactors.

Some might say St. Augustine's buildings speak for themselves, although there is a plaque program describing historical buildings and sites. And there aren't many building broadsides for murals, but one area is the south side of the Visitor Center parking facility, originally designed to hold public art.

Help wreaths in remembrance

Wreaths at every grave in 2012

The Wreaths Across America project for St. Augustine's National Cemetery needs another 518 wreaths for the cemetery's 1,218 graves to match last year's successful 100% community effort.

The project is headed by the Veterans Council of St. Johns County Inc. Ceremonies will be held December 14 at noon. Wreaths are $15 each.

To make a tax deductible contribution, contact project coordinator SGM (Ret) Dan Blackman at (904) 669-6423, or online here.

Vilano gets Main Street awards

Vilano Beach Main Street garnered three Secretary of State's 2013 Florida Main Street Awards during last weekend's Florida Main Street 2013 Annual Conference held in Vilano Beach.

Outstanding Local Florida Main Street Supporter Merit Award went to Vivian Browning; Outstanding Florida Main Street Private-Public Partnership Honor Award to Magic Beach Motel, and Outstanding Florida Main Street Special Event Honor Award to Vilano Beach Main Street's Plastic Bottle Boat Race.

Planning board appointments

Current member Jerry Dixon and former member John Valdes have been appointed to the city Planning and Zoning Board, along with former Port Authority commissioner Carl Blow, in recent City Commission action.

History, diversity highlight

Columbus Day weekend 2013

The History of Florida - Live Thursday and Friday, Greek Festival Friday through Sunday and African Market at Fort Mose Saturday through Monday fill St. Augustine's Columbus Day weekend.

Sixteen authors in history, anthropology, political science and literature contributed to The History of Florida, a new book out this fall from University Press of Florida. It will be previewed with many of those authors in the free 2-day forum at Flagler College's Ringhaver Student Center.

"Florida and Floridians need to understand the path that we have taken to today's issues," says Susan R. Parker, Ph.D., executive director of the host St. Augustine Historical Society. "Floridians need the opportunity to see Florida as a whole. This program will examine Florida's past from Pensacola to Key West, from Fernandina to Venice."

Find the program schedule under Exhibits and Programs on the Historical Society website.

Greek Heritage Festival

The 16th Annual Greek Festival will be set in a virtual Greek village at St. Augustine's Francis Field. Look for an authentic Agora market, a Cafenio, a Taverna, kids center and more Friday, 4-9 pm, Saturday, 11 am-9 pm and Sunday, noon-5 pm. Admission $3 adults, children and active-duty military free. Visit www.stauggreekfest.com

African Market at Fort Mose

VIVA Florida 500, Fort Mose and the Florida Department of State Parks join with The African American Future Society to present The African Market at Fort Mose Saturday through Monday.

It's designed "to experience the language, styles, traditions, food, art and music of West Africa," Future Society Chair Yul Anderson says.

Saturday thru Monday the African Market is open 9-4:30 with outdoor musical performances 11:30-1:30 pm; Saturday a Gospel Concert at Saint Mary's Baptist Church, and Sunday a dance party at the Limelight Theater sponsored by Quiet Storm Vodka. Business receptions are planned Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Mose Museum. Visit the website.

History's highlight

The autumn of Osceola's life

1 year, 11 months to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

October 21, 1837, the Seminole War Chief Osceola entered St. Augustine's Fort Marion - and the history books as a legendary "Patriot and Warrior," owing in no small measure to his being captured by American forces under a flag of truce.

Osceola That inscription, "Patriot and Warrior," would be set on his gravestone three months later by respectful military authorities at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, where he quietly expired in full regalia.

He was captured under orders of the U.S. Florida commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jesup, as his band gathered at Fort Peyton on the St. Johns southwest of St. Augustine to parley with the Americans.

Both sides were exhausted from two years of battle - some 40,000 US troops against 5,000 Indians determined to hold their lands. Jesup vented his frustration with orders to take Osceola - white flag or not. His actions infuriated a nation which now saw Osceola as a hero/martyr and Jesup as a discredit to its military.

The captured band was paraded to Fort Marion, the territorial name for the Castillo de San Marcos at St. Augustine, where it seemed the whole town had been alerted and turned out to watch.

In the damp interior of the fort, an already ill 38-year-old Osceola's condition worsened. A month after his capture he showed no interest in the escape plans of a younger, fiery associate, Coacoochee. Perhaps as a result of this warrior's miraculous escape with 18 other braves and two women November 29, 1837, Osceola and his wives and other Seminoles were transferred to Fort Moultrie at Charleston, South Carolina.

Army doctors speculated he was suffering from quinsy - a form of strep throat - with intermittent bouts of malaria, but their efforts to treat him were interfered with by a medicine man. He was regularly visited by officers at the fort, and sat for a portrait by the artist George Catlin, famed for his extensive paintings of American Indians.

On January 31, 1838, sensing the inevitable, Osceola directed his followers to dress him in his best finery, and he laid back and quietly expired. His remains are buried at the military cemetery at Fort Moultrie.

His fame was spread nationwide, particularly by reports of his capture under flag of truce and ultimate death within months. The image he left was one of the noble savage, defending his homeland, and he joined the legendary ranks of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Geronimo.

Image: George Catlin's painting of Osceola at Fort Moultrie

Excerpts from Osceola in St. Augustine Bedtime Stories. Click for further information on this fascinating historic series.

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