HILDEGARDE PACETTI, sixth-generation, who lived from December 21, 1922 to May 10, 2015 and worked tirelessly to preserve HP-1
Letter: Here's to Hildegarde, champion of St. Augustine's historic preservation districts
Posted: August 22, 2015 - 11:12pm
By Michele Bova, St. Augustine
Editor: As the debate intensifies over commercial encroachment into residential neighborhoods, I would like to take the opportunity to give tribute to Hildegarde Pacetti. I met Hildegarde shortly after moving to downtown Historic Preservation District 1 (HP-1) in 1993. Hildegarde established the HP-1 Association in 1984. Along with others who included Ken Dow, I worked with her on the board of HP-1.
I got to observe firsthand Hildegarde’s tireless efforts to protect the residential character of my neighborhood. Without her leadership, the HP-1 District of this town would have been riddled with bed and breakfasts, commercial offices and other non-residential uses. Two of the proposed B&Bs she successfully fought against are currently owned by private families. They, like other HP-1 homeowners, do not claim to need commercial income to maintain and improve their properties.
Shortly before her recent death, Hildegarde and I discussed our mutual opposition to plans to transform the former Dow properties into a boutique hotel. She asked me to publicize how the neighbors in HP-1 not only care for their own property, but also have contributed to the community at large. Their volunteer work and monetary donations have supported the LLambias House, The Historical Society, the Old Well and Monument to the Constitution in the Town Plaza and other worthy historical endeavors. Would hotel guests do this?
Thank you Hildegarde for the legacy that you have left to St. Augustine.
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