New Development at busy St. Augustine gateway

[Sonic101]

I think this redevelopment is a vast improvement of the old liquor store that is currently there and hopefully will bring more attention to West Augustine. The pedestrian bridge is a nice touch. Now if only something would happen at the old Hardee's location...

Plans for major redevelopment are underway for one corner of the West King Street and U.S. 1 intersection in St. Augustine.

Property owner Barry Broudy and city of St. Augustine officials have worked together to create a concept that includes a parking garage and pedestrian walkover at U.S. 1, workforce housing and a new location for the city police department.

https://www.staugustine.com/news/20190507/business-owner-city-unveil-major-vision-for-us-1-at-west-king-street-in-st-augustine

[Captain Zissou]

Another city prepping for TOD well ahead of Jax.  No surprise here.

[marcuscnelson]

My only qualm is that the train station looks too small for something like Virgin to be making stops there. Unless there's more of the station hidden on the bottom of the parking garage, I'd be surprised if that's all they need to build.

Although, this area is also kinda on the wrong side of the Intracoastal from the historic center, so there'd need to be something to get you from there to hotels and such. But that's definitely not as big a deal.

[Tacachale]

My only qualm is that the train station looks too small for something like Virgin to be making stops there. Unless there's more of the station hidden on the bottom of the parking garage, I'd be surprised if that's all they need to build.

Although, this area is also kinda on the wrong side of the Intracoastal from the historic center, so there'd need to be something to get you from there to hotels and such. But that's definitely not as big a deal.

^Not much they can do about that anyway. The train tracks are where they are.

[thelakelander]

Pretty cool to see them plan like this. Nassau County has been doing the same. Maybe one day we'll learn from our smaller neighbors to the north and south.

[Sonic101]

I don't get the train station. Virgin likes to develop it's own property so do they really expect them to use this one? Or are they expecting commuter rail or Amtrak? Regardless, at most, just make accommodations for one in the future.

Last time a train station was proposed it was on the opposite side of the San Sebastian from this site, by the old FEC headquarters (now Flagler College dorms) and the city responded by selecting the previous train station north of town by Winn-Dixie. Article states Broudy worked with the city, so I guess those plans are down the drain.

[Tacachale]

^I think just planning ahead. I'd imagine they're thinking mostly of commuter rail at this point, but if Virgin comes north it will go through there.

[thelakelander]

I doubt they actually construct a station for the hell of it. If commuter rail, Virgin, Amtrak or anything else pops up, something would have to be designed and built to fit their needs.

[marcuscnelson]

I doubt they actually construct a station for the hell of it. If commuter rail, Virgin, Amtrak or anything else pops up, something would have to be designed and built to fit their needs.

Right, but with the garage being right there wouldn't any station need to be integrated at least in part to be able to hold any significant rail operation? Look at the size of Virgin's Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach stations. Could that fit in the space there without some of it having to be where the garage is planned for right now?

[thelakelander]

I can't imagine anything the size of what's in South Florida being needed in St. Augustine. My guess is Virgin would be just as interested in doing the TOD themselves, meaning if they came to St. Augustine, they'd need land adjacent to that site or someplace else along the tracks.

[CityLife]

I'm not privy to any recent developments, but there have been discussions about commuter rail from St. Augustine to Jax for some time now. I also wouldn't discount Virgin from adding a stop there (if they do come north). Virgin is seriously considering adding a stop in Stuart between the WPB and Orlando leg and that is a far less desirable location than St. Augustine from a tourism perspective (better for a commuter rail perspective though).

St. Augustine's City Manager, spends quite a bit of time in WPB and Miami (visiting family), and I'm sure has learned quite a bit about TOD in his travels there. Having sound decision making is what you get when you hire professionals to lead a city.....

[thelakelander]

I'm not privy to any recent developments, but there have been discussions about commuter rail from St. Augustine to Jax for some time now.

As long as JTA is the lead in bringing commuter rail to Jacksonville I'd be skeptical of it ever happening.

[MusicMan]

FYI my friend at Catalyst says they have an agreement in place (pending approvals....) to build a complex (250 units) adjacent to The Ice Plant in St Augustine.

[Sonic101]

Ah, the failed Inland Harbor site. About time something happened to that lot. Surprised it took this long.

[Captain Zissou]

FYI my friend at Catalyst says they have an agreement in place (pending approvals....) to build a complex (250 units) adjacent to The Ice Plant in St Augustine.

BUT HAVE THEY CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY!!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!