City manager calls for 450th workshop

Historic City News is excited to report that, at the last City of St. Augustine Commission Meeting, City Manager John Regan received approval from commissioners to hold a 450th Commemoration workshop on June 27; following the folding of its designated commemoration manager, First America Foundation, Inc.

Regan announced what Historic City News readers have known for some time; the foundation “is not a viable organization” and “with the monies that come back, we should establish working capital to keep the 450th moving forward.”

Commissioners agreed that workshops to discuss 450th planning should precede all future commission meetings. All workshops are open to the public — as are the commission meetings.

Regan promises that there will be a dramatic improvement in the speed with which ideas are shared, considered and acted on — starting with staff presentation at the June 27th meeting to address a revitalized website, iconic logo designs, and a long list of ideas that have already been submitted by residents, the former steering committee, city staff and the commissioners.

“This will be a key meeting to put ideas together and get under way,” City Manager John Regan told Historic City News.

“The city already has a 450th Commemoration website that was developed several years ago,” Heritage Tourism Director Dana Ste. Claire said. “It’s already in the can and ready to go online with minor content updates.”

Regan said he’s asked several local designers to develop ideas for an official 450th logo to be used in branding.

Commissioner Bill Leary compiled an extensive and comprehensive idea list from several sources, which he read in the last commission meeting.

Vice Mayor Leanna Freeman said, “People should look this over and come forward with ideas they’d like to handle.” Freeman revealed an example rack card template that she developed to key each commemoration year and its events.

Colin Bingham, who helped create the First America Foundation, presented three new ideas during that meeting that were well received:

– A 450th Improvement Club
– Marketing of two vacant city lots to reduce blight
– Repair of the North City Train Station for use as a community center

Of the original $275,000 advanced, and an additional $25,000 that was to be returned to the City by Bridge of Lions Contractor Skanska, was advanced to the Foundation. It has been estimated that about $190,000 to $200,000 remains in their bank account.

Historic City News reporters have learned that, in the face of canceling their contract with the City, the remaining board members of First America Foundation, Inc., want to return whatever funds have been left unspent.

Although plans are to leave the corporation open through the end of the year, we are told that the Foundation has ceased operations and intends to turn over whatever records are available as of the end of this month. Historic City News will publish the details after the Foundation officially makes their public announcement; which is expected next week.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer