Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
High Springs Garden Club asks city for help after hurricane damage leaves historic meeting hall condemned
Summary
The High Springs Garden Club told commissioners its 1949 building suffered structural damage during a recent hurricane and has been condemned; the group asked the city to research funding and temporary meeting space.
The High Springs Garden Club asked the City Commission to help find funding and a temporary home after the club’s 1949 meeting hall was condemned following storm damage.
Claudia Wolfson, president of the High Springs Garden Club, told the commission that a large pine tree fell on the building during the last hurricane, causing the roof to cave in and structural damage to foundation and walls. Wolfson said the building serves about 32 club members and is also home to the Boy Scouts and an AANA group; the facility contains a working stove, refrigerator, sink, restroom and storage.
Wolfson said the club has filed a claim with FMIT (Florida Municipal Insurance Trust) and that an engineer will review structural repairs. She told the commission FMIT indicated it would send an engineer to evaluate the walls and a plan for repair. Wolfson also described a $250 Trevant grant awarded in July 2024 used to improve the grounds, and said volunteers had cleared debris and installed a pathway and solar lights prior to the storm damage.
Parks and recreation staff and the parks director (Jennifer Appleby, as referenced in the discussion) said they were working with the club to identify possible short‑term solutions and that staff planned a meeting with the club to go over potential options. Commissioners and the mayor acknowledged the club’s longtime role in community services, including planting downtown planters and flag displays for holidays.
Wolfson asked the commission to research “every avenue” to find funds for repair and to identify temporary meeting space while the building is repaired. The city agreed to schedule follow-up meetings with parks staff and club representatives.
No formal city funding commitment was made at the meeting; staff described ongoing coordination with the club and an insurance claim process with FMIT.
