Letter: Thumbs up — and down on Riberia Pointe

Letter: Thumbs up — and down on Riberia Pointe

Nancy Shaver
St Augustine, FL

Dear Editor:

Kudos to the City Commission who unanimously instructed City Staff to stop pursuing the development of Riberia Pointe.

They listened to the Lincolnville neighborhood and other city residents. They showed respect for the priorities set by the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Agency, which represent a year’s worth of community effort.

They also echoed the Department of Environmental Protection guidelines when they discussed a park. Closed landfills are best used for recreation—nature trails, ball fields etc. After all, Riberia Pointe is 2 feet of topsoil, and 50-75 feet of trash on a marsh bottom. (That trash layer is a little like jello—constantly, slowly and unevenly shifting.)

Thumbs down to Norm Gregory from the St Johns Chamber of Commerce who brought the latest “dreams and schemes” to the City for Riberia Pointe. If these were such great ideas, why wouldn’t the County have jumped on them? More “dumping” on Riberia Pointe?

The good news is that Lincolnville and City residents can now decide what’s next for Riberia Pointe. And thanks to the City, Riberia Pointe will be open from noon to four this coming Sunday (at the same time as the Lincolnville Farmers Market). Come see some of the most amazing views in St. Augustine, (and bring your dogs!)

Also you can let the Children’s Museum folks hear loudly (again) that no development is wanted on Riberia Pointe. They don’t seem to have heard the City Commission and not sure why they want to expose children to the hazards of a structure on a landfill. They plan to be at the Galimore Center near the Farmer’s Market on Sunday.

If you’d like ongoing updates just visit (and “like”) the “Keep Riberia Pointe Green” page on Facebook . And please post your ideas for this wonderful green space of ours.