St. Augustine commission votes 3-2 to cancel $250,000 roundabout public-art project

The St. Augustine City Commission voted 3-2 on May 6 to terminate a $250,000 public-art contract for the roundabout at May Street and San Marco Avenue and return the remaining budgeted funds for future use.

Supporters of canceling the project said the chosen contemporary piece lacked broad community support and that the city could better use remaining funds for other priorities. Opponents defended the competitive selection process and staff-backed committee that recommended the artist and warned canceling would forfeit roughly $87,500 already spent under the contract.

The art project was approved in August 2024. At the time of the May 6 discussion staff reported that two of five contract milestones had been completed and that $162,500 remained in the project budget. Commissioners said the artist had received partial payment for early design work; staff described the amount already paid as approximately $87,500.

Commissioners debated alternatives including relocating the sculpture to a city-owned lot on the east end of May Street, redesigning the project as part of a larger park plan, or canceling the contract. Several commissioners and members of the public said the piece was difficult for many residents to relate to and questioned spending $250,000 on a single permanent installation. Other commissioners and members of the public defended the transparent selection process, noting a citizen subcommittee and public meetings had informed the recommendation.

The commission action that carried the day directed staff to terminate the project and to return to the commission later with proposals for reallocating the remaining funds. The roll-call vote recorded: Mayor Nancy Sykes Klein — yes; Commissioner Jim Springfield — yes; Commissioner John DePrater — no; Commissioner Cynthia Gares — yes; Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder — no. The motion passed 3–2.

Commissioners named several possible future uses for the funds, including under-structure lighting for the Bridge of Lions, contributions to preservation or conservation land funds, or addressing local homelessness-related projects that had been mentioned during the debate. City staff said the artist and contractor had been paid for completed work to date and that cancelling the contract would not affect amounts already disbursed for milestone work.

Commission discussion and public comment made clear the commission remains split on the role, scale and siting of public art in St. Augustine. Several commissioners said they regretted the community pushback but also wanted to respect the volunteer committee and selection process that had been used.

The commission did not specify a timetable for returning to the body with a reallocation plan. Staff said the contractor had completed design work and that staff would follow up on contract-termination steps and bring options to a future meeting.