Spanish Street Pedestrian Areas to be Permanent

St. Augustine officials took advantage of road construction work to launch a pedestrian pilot project along stretches of Spanish Street. St. Augustine City Commissioners made the changes permanent earlier this month, despite some concerns from business and property owners in the area.

“I had a meeting with some business owners who were not in favor of the pilot project,” said Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin in a presentation to city commissioners. “We did try to add some additional signage after the meeting.”

During the public comment period on the measure, resident responses were mixed on the pedestrian-only areas.

“I am a property owner at Spanish Street,” said resident Virginia Whetstone, speaking in opposition to making the pilot project permanent.  “Making this a permanent change is going to the affect the financial viability and the future escalation of rents for my piece of property.”

Business owner Michael Pounds also voiced opposition to making the changes permanent, though he said he thought it was reasonable to conduct the pilot project to see how it would work.

“I am here to tell you tonight it doesn’t work for me,” he said. “I can’t get customers into the back of my property. You’re making it impossible for us to do business down there.”

Residents in the area were more positive about the change.

“This has been a wonderful pilot program,” said Charles Pappas. “It’s nice to see people roaming beyond St. George (Street). It makes it much safer walking the streets of this narrow area.”

City Commissioner Cynthia Garris said she visited the area during the construction and spoke with residents and business owners.

“I went down there because I knew this day was coming,” she said.

Garris dismissed concerns that making the pedestrian-only areas permanent would create a precedent for further restrictions in the downtown area.

“I don’t believe that anyone is foolish enough to believe we’re going to close every street,” she said. “I am sorry for the inconvenience for a couple of businesses, but they can still get to their businesses.”

Commissioner Jim Springfield, who voted against making the pilot project permanent, said he preferred another 90-day pilot project that would keep the street open to vehicular traffic during the day and have it closed at night.

“I think it would be honorable and fair for us,” he said. “We gave the residents a 90-day test.”