Published by former Mayor George Gardner
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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2015 - the year in review
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From weekly and special St. Augustine Reports, headlines of 2015. Details behind these headlines can be found in the Report archive for each month.
January
New Year, new mayor / three 50-foot hotels planned on US 1 / County wants timeline on VA clinic relocation / City Commission holds line on building height
February
DowMuseum plan concerns residents / Noche de Gala under fire /Lighthouse seeks Maritime Use zoning / HARB denies demolition of Dow
Carpenter's House / San Pelayo model dedication
March
VA promises interim clinic by September / A kayak launch for Lincolnville / Commission supports
Journey video distribution / Hand-built chalupa debuts / Street hosts program taking applications / Commission resists street performer review
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 The year's
City buys 7-Eleven site
After a protracted battle with neighborhoods heavily involved, the corporate giant yielded saying, "You guys are a pain in the ass."
Historic district residents feared commercial intrusion while the developer argued successfully that converting the historic homes to a B&B was the best way to financially maintain them.
Royal Couple visits
King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the city to recognize its 450th anniversary, the King promising each generation of the royal family would visit.
Intersection redesign
The 7-Eleven project threat ended, the city-owned site will become part of a major redesign of the congested intersection.
Flagler dorms, garage
The college announced plans for 150 student dorm rooms and 534-space parking garage at Malaga and King Streets.
After numerous delays, the Veterans Administration moved from the former county health center to temporary facilities a block away. At year's end, negotiations reopened for relocation to the new county health complex.
Compassionate St. Augustine's public art initiative, Obelisk Art 450 Tour of Compassion, created replicas of the Constitution Monument with artists and students interpreting Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights and Compassion.
Davis Shores residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau presented two lion statues, copies of the originals at the Bridge of Lions western approach, to the city as a 450th anniversary gift. They stand in Davis Park on the east bridge approach.
St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation volunteers hand-built a 37-foot chalupa over three years to "support and promote the maritime heritage and enhancement of the Nation's Oldest Port of St. Augustine."
City Hall's management of St. Augustine's 450th anniversary left much of the community out of the loop. Its highlights, some visitor center exhibits and a musical anniversary weekend.
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April
 Local Heroes use as bar revoked by plan board / Dow PUD tabled / Overlay zoning to check Flagler growth? / Review of 450th contracts 'unjustified' attack on 450th / Ordinance for special events venues / City mobility - Planning is good, action is better / Carpenter's House demolished / 7-Eleven, Whetstone and Wendler lawsuits continuing / Parking garage city's 'cash cow' / Sides gear up for Dow PUD
May
 City buys 7-Eleven site / Reimagining Visitor Center / City tackles event management / Celebrate 450! to be a pop stars weekend / 'Oldest city could be screwed by rising seas' / Sales tax hike to go to voters
June
Choices for San Marco/May Street intersection / Spanish bunting coming, reenactors not so much / City locations for compassion obelisks / Military map a gift to 450th / Reggae Sunday to resume / Castillo increases entrance fees / FDOT displays ideas for 'the' intersection / Francis Field parking July 4 'pilot study' for Celebrate 450 / Public hearing for Special Event Venues / Spanish bunting to be unfurled / Tweaking Entry Corridor Guidelines / City bans on performers are headed back to court / PUD zoning goes to town hall meeting
July
Town and Gown tackles college needs, city concerns / Lions gift dedicated / Siege of 1702 filmed for PBS / Dow duel continues with public meetings / Millage rate may stay at 7.5 for seventh year / Waterworks rehab underway / Noise ordinance on hold; noise not / Dow PUD goes to commission Monday / Royals to visit / City, artists return to US District Court / Dow PUD wins first round 3-2 / City clerk retiring / Commission wants more detail on event venues
August
 Demolition delay faces public hearing / Event fees go back to the drawing board / Demolition delay wins approval 4-1 / Once a week trash pickup in discussions / City to call on UF for sea level study / Compassion shines in obelisks / VA clinic on track / Dow PUD approved
September
Royal visit / 2016 millage, budget pass 1st hearing / City Attorney to probe defamation charge / Night Watch reorganizing / Obelisk Art 450 being installed / May Street congestion is 1st city mobility task / Ordinance advances for Artillery Lane outdoor dining
October
May Street redesign / City trash, recycling changes in November / Meeting decorum review continues / High end hotel plan in review - Art deco style for Anastasia Boulevard / May Street - Alternative 5?
November
Parade honors veterans / Parking facility reaches 3 million / 300th anniversary for city Coat of Arms / Huge roundabout for May Street congestion? / Major projects on King Street - Flagler College dorm and parking facility, four-story hotel / Santa Maria demolition OKd / Seraphin lawsuit settled
December
Riberia Pointe moves toward passive park / Conserving city park lands / Commission discusses toy vehicles, trucks & parking / Residents mount campaign against city's noisemakers / Parking added for holidays / Truck traffic report goes to commission
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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 a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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