Letter: City should reject tall buildings in Lincolnville

Letter: City should reject tall buildings in Lincolnville



Anthony Seraphin
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 02/25/08


Editor: Maryland developers/speculators trying to buy the Oasis Marina on Riberia Street are back again before the City Commissioners tonight, demanding to inflict 49-foot high, two-million cubic foot steel buildings for boat storage on Riberia Street.

These monstrosities will block our views, breezes and sun for two blocks in past Twine Street. If speculators get their way, Riberia Street will become intensely crowded with boats towed to and from Oasis Marina.

It's bad enough that there are no sidewalks. Children play in Lincolnville's streets because there are no playgrounds.

Lincolnville's flooding is not remedied by our city. It's horrible that any responsible government would let them ruin an ethnically diverse, historic neighborhood by building a two-million cubic foot warehouse in a coastal conservation zone and a flood zone, a place where the city's soils map officially says that it is "Pellicer silty clay loam, frequently flooded" (soil number 109024). Our city must obey the laws applicable to all of us, including the Comprehensive Plan, and reject this indecent proposal.

Otherwise, this industrial project would keep Lincolnville blighted forever. Speculators would not dare try it behind Flagler College or on Davis Shores. The city has abused Lincolnville for more than one hundred years, Yet our taxes are the same as other neighborhoods that receive greater services.

Will our city commissioners stand up for us? They can stop this Berlin Wall, "Lincolnville Wall" from destroying our neighborhood. Once built, it's too late!! Please spread the word and come out.

Voice your outrage at the City Commission meeting tonight, 5 p.m., City Hall, Lightner Museum, Alcazar Room, 75 King St., First Floor.

Riberia Street must be rezoned immediately from Industrial to Business/ Residential. We must stop industrial development in our neighborhood. Stop this outrage now.

Anthony Seraphin

St. Augustine


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