Downtown Improvements District community meeting

The City of St Augustine has invited Historic City News readers to an open house concerning the Spanish, Hypolita and Treasury Streetscape Rehabilitation Project; to be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st in The Alcazar Room, located on the ground floor of City Hall, 75 King Street in St Augustine.

The project is estimated to cost $2.7 million for all of the proposed improvements. Surface improvements ($1.5 million of the $2.7 million total) will be split 50/50 between the City and the property owners in the taxing district that lines the improved streets, not to exceed $750,000. The current assessment is estimated at $1.17 per foot of frontage per month for a 15-year payback period.

“The City and its design team are committed to coordinating closely with the residents, business owners, and property owners in the construction zone throughout this significant project,” Public Works Department Project Engineer Reuben C. Franklin, P.E., C.F.M. told local Historic City News reporters. “A phased construction plan is currently in development, along with appropriate maintenance of traffic plans with a commitment to carefully coordinate the work to ensure pedestrian access and deliveries are maintained throughout the construction period.”

This project encompasses underground utility improvements, including water, sewer, and gas; as well as “streetscaping” which includes lighting, furniture, brick roadway, and coquina sidewalks.

The project is scheduled to begin in April 2014.

The meeting format will consist of an open house with a brief presentation to be conducted at 5:15pm. Some of the topics to be discussed will be the project activities, limits, schedule and phasing. Representatives from the City of St Augustine and their engineering consultants will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.