Riberia Street ribbon cutting ceremony

In two-weeks, the City of St Augustine has informed Historic City News that it will conduct a brief ceremony marking the completion of the Riberia Street Rehabilitation Project on Friday, August 9 at 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Riberia and Cerro Streets near the Willie Galimore Center.

Historic City News readers are invited to attend for the ribbon cutting and stay for refreshments, which will be served afterwards.

“More than five years of planning, and three years of construction, have gone into the project — one that has been needed for many years,” Director of Public Affairs Paul Williamson told reporters. “Without a doubt, this new Riberia Street will long be seen as an important part of the overall Lift-Up Lincolnville initiative.”

The rehabilitated street includes new roadway and sidewalks, drainage improvements to alleviate flooding, water and sewer utilities upgrade for better water quality and enhanced fire protection.

As a prelude to the ceremony, the Public Works Department is coordinating a procession of city vehicles from the intersection of Bridge Street and Riberia Street, south to the ribbon cutting.

Total cost of the project was $8.5 million, with funding coming from the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and a Community Development Block Grant. The work was performed by Masci General Contractors.