St. Johns Arts Groups Seek Field of Dreams

Location, location, location may be the mantra in real estate, but it also fits for a St. Johns County arts group looking to build a multi-purpose arts and culture facility.

The Shell at St. Augustine is envisioned as space to foster local arts, culture and heritage organizations and “provide a pathway to sustainability for those nonprofits,” according to a St. Johns County staff report accompanying a meeting agenda earlier this month. The facility would boost tourism revenues “and enrich the quality of life for local residents through arts, culture and heritage offerings,” the report said.

Eric Becher, representing the EpiCentre Alliance, a group of 12 local arts groups, presented the organization’s plans to St. Johns County commissioners.

“We look forward to the opportunity of being part of the solution in the county for enhancing economic development, providing advantages for underserved areas, creating sustainability for these non-profits and creating jobs without burdening county finances,” he said.

Becher said the facility would include a 1,750-seat concert hall, a 1,200-seat theater and a black box theater for 200-300 people. The building would contain a performing arts academy wing and a conference/office wing as well as two large ballrooms. The design also includes solar power and a rain collection system.

“With increased population and tourism there are more audiences for culture and arts offerings in the county and these activities have increased the number of concerts and presentations,” Becher said.

The museum does not have a location, but Becher suggested an area adjacent to the proposed location of the Florida Museum of Black History on the former grounds of Florida Memorial University.

“Also, we look forward to the possible collaboration with the Black history museum to help offset some of the costs associated with running a museum going forward,” Becher said.

The project would be funded by local investors once a location is secured.

“Our hold up has been before they commit the funds, they want to know there’s a piece of land,” Becher said. “We’re looking at several locations across the area.”

Commissioner Clay Murphy, calling the proposed facility “a gem for this community,” said The Shell would be good for the West Augustine area.

“Finding ways to revitalize that area is something we should all be looking into,” he said.

Asked by Murphy if the county to assist in the search for a site, County Administrator Joy Andrews said the county has the means to help the arts groups.

“We have a wonderful economic development department,” she said. “We have tools that we can use to help the organization look for a proper location at the right size in the right part of the county.”

Commission Chair Krista Joseph asked Andrews if the proposed facility could interfere with the county’s efforts to bring the Florida Museum of Black History to St. Johns/St. Augustine.

“At this time, we are very focused on our relationship with Florida Memorial University to jointly propose with the state for location of the Black history museum,” she said. “I think at this point we are going to be very narrowly focused on getting the appropriation for $1 million to be passed this year so that we can start the design.”

Commissioners agreed by consensus to assist EpiCentre Alliance in the site search.