Friday ceremony marks start of Aviles project

The City of St. Augustine has invited Historic City News readers to attend a brief ceremony on Aviles Street, between King Street and Artillery Lane, to officially mark the commencement of the Aviles Street Rehabilitation Project on Friday, July 30th at 9:00 a.m.

The project, encompassing the northern most block of the street, that portion lying between King Street and Artillery Lane, is expected to be completed by October 1st at a cost of approximately $200,000.

When completed the new streetscape will have areas allowing for on-street dining along with new underground utilities, new brick streets, sidewalk widening, benches, landscaping and new street lights.

A key component of the project coming to fruition was the partnership between the City of St. Augustine and Trinity Episcopal Parish, a primary property owner along Aviles Street. Since the project necessitated the removal of the few parking places on the street, Trinity agreed to allow its private parking lot located just a block away at St. George Street and Artillery Lane, to become a public parking area. A revenue sharing plan between the church and the city will supplement the funds required to make the rehabilitation of Aviles Street possible.

Work on the project, designed by the Halback Design Group, will be conducted by Gibbs & Register. During construction, the northern most block of Aviles Street will be closed to vehicular traffic however, businesses will remain open and pedestrian access to the area will be maintained.