Neighbors making cash pledges to stop 7-Eleven

In the Saturday issue of the St Augustine Report, publisher George Gardner continues to follow the activities of his North City neighborhood; galvanized against the proposed construction of a 7-Eleven convenience store and filling station on the long-vacant commercial lot at the intersection of May Street and San Marco Avenue.

According to Gardner, who has previously reported efforts that included pickets, complaints to the city commissioners, and an effort to stop the development under existing “entrance corridor” guidelines, some in the community have put their money-where-their-mouth-is; and, they are pledging their cash to purchase the property.

“I and my husband personally would donate $1,000 toward the purchase of the land,” wrote one reader quoted by Gardner.

“Yes, we would put in one-grand for the property instead of having 7-Eleven! Drum up more support please,” wrote another.

“Progress is good, but be careful what you wish for,” commented one of Gardner’s readers who Gardner says made two pledges — one for his business and another individually.

A total of $4,000 seems a small token to attempt the purchase of a piece of property so valuable; especially since, at this time, the property is not advertised for sale. Nonetheless, it is an indicator of how serious some residents object to what they see as the negative impact that would come from building a 24-hour intensive commercial business like the one being permitted.

Those in the Nelmar Terrace neighborhood are concerned that traffic on their quiet, residential side streets will increase substantially as gasoline and c-store customers look for an easy route off the property if there are headed towards downtown St Augustine.

Other ideas in the hopper have included an appeal to a recent lottery winner to purchase the lot which could be made into a community park bearing her name, or, that the city might take acquire the vacant land through eminent domain with the intention of maintaining it as green space.

In any event, the owners of the land, their designer and construction company continue discussions with the city planning and building department to accomplish the requirements necessary to construct a store that they say will be an asset to the community — once it is built.