City proposes wide-ranging traffic, parking and enforcement changes for Knights of Lights to reduce downtown congestion

City staff presented a multifaceted plan to the St. Augustine City Commission on July 14 aimed at reducing traffic congestion and protecting neighborhoods during Knights of Lights and other high-visitor events.

Ruben Franklin, assistant city manager, told commissioners the city held five advertised public meetings and received feedback from 84 attendees. Staff proposals fall into five categories: parking strategies to reduce congestion; traffic-circulation changes; expansion of park-and-ride shuttle service; protections against cut-through traffic and spillover parking into neighborhoods; and public-safety deployments including temporary barricades.

Key short-term proposals discussed - Run shuttles later (into evenings and on peak days between Christmas and New Year) and expand park-and-ride locations; negotiate use of Flagler College garage during winter break for workforce parking. - Convert the Granada and Toks lots to workforce-permit parking to…