City Commission Approves King Street Plan

Aiming to make the city’s historic downtown pedestrian-friendly, business-friendly and ease traffic concerns, St. Augustine city commissioners approved plans to make King Street the best mile in Florida.

Assistant City Manager Rueben Franklin reviewed the options at a recent City Commission meeting and provided some background for the project.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time now,” he said. “The final concepts have been vetted through a very in-depth public engagement period.”

The process included solicitation of proposals from design firms, creating of a project website, meetings with community groups and organizations including the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau and the St. Augustine Business Coalition, and a series of community events.

“This is our entry corridor,” Franklin said. “It’s the only entry corridor we have control over.”

Franklin said the project is focused on what officials call the Big 3, Livability, History and Beauty.

“We feel this can be the best mile in Florida and that’s what we’re aiming to do,” he said.

The approved plan calls for the introduction of pedestrian crossings and a pedestrian-focused corridor from Malaga Street to Cordova Street, the reduction of on-street parking spaces and improved traffic flow.

“One of the bigger things we’re proposing here is the free flow condition,” Franklin said. “The free flow movement is using the west part of Government House as a kind of roundabout. We would prevent left-hand turns off of Cordova Street. These concepts improve the pedestrian experience and safety along the corridor.”

Parking issues were also addressed in the plans, with an eye toward finding a balance between walkability issues and business concerns.

“Parking is important to businesses, that has been a point of comment to provide as much parking as possible,” Franklin said.

City Commissioner Jim Springfield said he is “definitely in favor” of the proposal but was “a little leery” of plans to introducing curbs on King Street.

Commissioner Barbara Blonder also expressed support for the plan.

“I’m definitely in favor of the most ambitious of the recommendations you made,” she said. “I think this is the opportunity of my career as a commissioner to look forward. I would advocate for even more sidewalk and fewer parking spaces. If we can gain more sidewalk, we get some of our history back.”

Commissioner Cynthia Garris, who was the only vote against the plan, said she believes the city needs to acquire some parking in the downtown area to help local businesses.

“If it’s convenient for you to go to a place, more people are going to go to that place,” she said.

Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline said once the project is complete, “it’s going to be incredibly beautiful” along the corridor.

“I think that this plan is moving,” she said. “Cars don’t spend money, people do. I’m very pro traffic calming. I’m eager to get a yes and move forward.”