Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Ugly Hotel Nears Approval By City Commission of St. Augustine, Represented by Conflicted Architect-Commissioner DONALD CRICHLOW

Hotel close to approval



By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 05/26/09

A boutique hotel to be built on St. George Street is one step away from approval by the St. Augustine City Commission.

The Historic Architectural Review Board unanimously said yes last week to a 21,000-square-foot building that would be both a hotel and retail shops, Mark Knight, city planning and building department director, said Sunday. It would be built at 180 St. George St., across from the downtown Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine.

The proposed project will go before the City Commission for final action at a meeting June 3, Knight said.

The Review Board had previously tabled the project and asked for about 20 minor changes to it, Knight has said.

The project's architect, City Commissioner Don Crichlow, made the changes, but the Review Board still wants him to redo the light fixtures and show how he will improve the sidewalks in that area of downtown, said Knight.

Crichlow has recused himself from voting on the project as a commissioner.

The proposed hotel has caused some friction with Cathedral-Basilica parishioners because it would take up half of Bank of America's parking lot, or roughly 25 spaces. Parishioners buy $1 decals from the parish and park in the lot for Sunday morning Masses, without additional charge.


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