City seeks $2.5 million transit in parks grant

Historic City News learned at last night’s City Commission meeting in St. Augustine, that the city will apply for an estimated $2.5 million in federal funds for “planning and implementation” of scaled back traffic and pedestrian improvements along the bayfront.

City Manager John Regan told commissioners it will likely be a year before that money is received, if awarded.

Jeremy Marquis of Halback Design Group outlined a three-phase project for funding through the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Grant Program, designed to improve traffic and pedestrian flow around national parks and monuments.

The $2.5 million would apply to Orange Street improvements, a widened bayfront walkway, sidewalks, and bulb-outs; a term Marquis used to describe sidewalk extensions between parking spaces.

Another $150,000 application will be for planning around a redesigned Castillo parking area in 2015 and roadway improvements in 2016.

The applications are due May 9.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Halback Design Group