Historic City News reporters watched as Robert A. Bentz, a principal in Land Design South in West Palm Beach, and development partner for the new Vilano Town Center grocery store site with Joe Lelonek, spoke before the St. Johns County Commission in their regular business meeting this morning.

Historic City News reporters have learned that the Industrial Development Authority will be issuing $5.5 million in federal “Recovery Zone” facility bonds to assist in the financing of the new 28,000 sq. ft. Publix grocery store in the Vilano Town Center.

St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Historic St. Augustine Area Council reported to Historic City News that Jamie Alvarez from the First America Foundation explained her involvement as program coordinator for the City of St. Augustine and her transition to the First America Foundation.

Brenda Boyd Raney, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless, announced to Historic City News today that Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St. Augustine will be one of more than 60 commercial airports, coast to coast, where the company is launching its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

According to Communications Director Jay Humphreys, John W. Fraser, general manager of Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth, has been installed as the new chairman of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau Board of Directors.

Vivian Browning, a local resident who has owned property on Vilano Beach since 1986 and serves as chair of the Vilano Beach Town Center Redevelopment Group, has to feel optimistic now that Publix Supermarkets has confirmed with Historic City News that they have signed a lease.

The information contained in this report is taken from sources deemed reliable; the accuracy and completeness of which Historic City News does not control and cannot guarantee. The original public records are on file with the St. Johns County Tax Collector and should be consulted before taking any action.