Carpet Golf on Monday agenda

If Historic City News readers can keep their eyes open long enough to make it to item number 14 on Monday night’s city commission meeting, they can watch commissioners engage City Manager John Regan in a discussion regarding the disposition of the bayfront miniature golf course.

Renewal of the lease agreement with Ripley’s Entertainment to manage the carpet golf facility became a bone of contention when it was learned that modifications, costing as much as $50,000, were required to make the 1949 landmark compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ripley’s representatives offered to pay the cost of refitting the attraction in exchange for a five-year lease renewal to allow sufficient time to recover the additional investment.

Rival sightseeing operator, Ed Swift IV, Chief Operating Officer of Historic Tours of America, interjected his company’s interest in participating in a bid process before a lease renewal was granted.

Add to that, Mayor Joseph L. Boles, Jr., who wanted staff to explore the opportunity to demolish the miniature golf course and convert the property to rental event space.

That was in May, now the City Manager wants to develop a consensus of the Commission for the future use of the property.

If you are planning to attend — the regular St Augustine City Commission meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday and will be held in the Alcazar Room; on the first floor of the west wing of City Hall, located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. It will be broadcast live on Comcast Government TV (Cable Channel 3) and is streamed over the Internet.