Spanish Quarter has never made money

Historic City News reporters listened to a lengthy debate last night concerning the possible closing of the Spanish Quarter Museum; which consumed the last two hours of the five-hour meeting.

The Colonial Spanish Quarter was established as an enterprise fund, which means its expenses should be covered by revenues.

“We tried,” Heritage Director Dana Ste. Claire told commissioners after describing increased expenses in efforts to reinvigorate the living history museum.

Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield explained that, of the five city enterprise funds, all but the Heritage Department have reserves — “this department has never been able to build up a reserve.”

St. Augustine’s Colonial Spanish Quarter is being shored up with $440,000 from the city’s general fund this year and is facing a projected $706,000 deficit in the fiscal year beginning in October.

The options, Ste. Claire suggested:

– Partial closure, leaving the profitable tavern and gift shops open;

– Conversion to a static museum;

– Continued investment of city funds,

– A public-private partnership.

One thing appears certain; the Spanish Quarter Museum may close at the end of September unless an “equity partner” can be found to help keep it operating.

Pat Croce, whose pirate museum adjoins the Spanish Quarter, was mentioned as a possible equity partner. However, the City will initiate a request for qualifications from interested partners.

Commissioners approved the $150,000 expense to keep the Quarter open through the end of September.

Closure of the Quarter will carry its own expense, Burchfield told commissioners.

“There are items like accumulated sick and vacation days that would have to be covered, and unemployment matches,” Burchfield said. “The total could be $334,000.”

In past years, $400,000 drawn from the rental of state properties under city management was used to subsidize the living history museum — that was lost last year when the University of Florida took over management.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph