Pollard Hall begins construction

After clearing the hurdles of permitting and a contentious debate over the demolition of the Flagler College Communications Lab, located at the corner of Cordova Street and Cuna Street, Historic City News has received word that the private college is finally moving forward with construction — naming the architect and building contractor for the project.

Local State Certified general contractor, DiMare Construction Co., has partnered with Hedrick Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of West Palm Beach to form “Dimare-Hedrick Joint Venture LLC” to build this project as a planned unit development; referred to by the acronym “PUD”.

The former building had been a commercial office building and parking lot for decades. It has since been demolished. At one time, the building served as the local Florida Power and Light Company offices. Because it is located in a historic preservation district, neighbors who are concerned about the intensity of the approved plans objected to the scale of the buildings and what they saw as an unwelcome intrusion. In part, objection to the idea of using a PUD to “get around” local planning and zoning restrictions, that would otherwise apply, became the rallying issue; leading city administration and the commission to revisit how the PUD will be used in the future.

The new 18,600 square foot development is scheduled for completion in August of 2014 and will be known as “Pollard Hall”. It is located at 31 Cordova Street in St Augustine. It includes three, two-story buildings connected by a single-story building which will house eight classrooms, a television studio, four faculty offices, and a common area furnished with study tables, chairs and lounge furniture.

Kenneth Smith Architects, Inc., Jacksonville, FL is the architect for the project.