St Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency approves West City CRA plan resolution

The St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency made significant strides during its meeting on May 12, 2025, by advancing the West City Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) plan. The agency unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-12, which sets the stage for crucial public investments aimed at revitalizing the area.

Jamie D. Perkins, the Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager, presented the resolution, highlighting modifications made to the plan based on previous feedback from the agency. Key changes included a clearer table of contents and refined language regarding historic preservation initiatives, ensuring that the plan is more user-friendly and focused on preserving the area's cultural assets.

Public comment was also a focal point, with resident BJ Kolady urging the agency to reconsider the use of tax dollars for a proposed parking garage at US 1 and King Street. Kolady advocated for the removal of septic tanks in West City instead, arguing that this would provide greater benefits to the community.

Perkins clarified that the term "catalytic public investments" refers broadly to capital improvement projects, without tying funds to any specific initiative. This flexibility allows for a range of potential projects that could enhance the community.

The unanimous support for the resolution signals a commitment to revitalizing West City, with expectations for positive impacts on local infrastructure and historic preservation efforts. The agency's next steps will involve further planning and implementation of the approved initiatives, aiming to foster growth and sustainability in the area.