City staff wants to name “car wash” park

Although it is up to the city manager to recommend and the city commission to decide, a city staff committee is seeking suggestions to consider for a name to give the former car wash site located on the southeast corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and King Street, now owned by the city and repurposed as a pocket park.

After the acquisition costs, loss of tax income, landscape and maintenance costs, the staff wants to make taxpayers feel like they have some say in what happens at the park no one uses, and arguably should never have purchased.

“Suggestions should consider neighborhood or geographical identification, natural or geological features, a place or event of historical or cultural significance, the articulated preference of residents of the neighborhood surrounding the space, or a deceased person or persons who has made significant and outstanding contributions of public service to the community,” according to the Department of Public Affairs.

Submissions should include a brief supportive statement as to why the suggested name would be appropriate, and contact information of the person making the suggestion.

To be considered, suggestions for the park’s name must be submitted now through June 27th, after which a staff committee will review the suggestions and make a recommendation to the City Manager for consideration by the City Commission tentatively scheduled for its July 11th meeting.

But we saw what happened when the city manager made the selections for the Mobility Task Force members, so, guarded optimism at best on those citizen “suggestions”.

By mail:
Public Affairs Department
City of St. Augustine
P O Box 210
St Augustine, FL 32085-0210

By fax: 904.825.1096
By email: info@citystaug.com