City asks to sunset UF plan Proposes foundation that would accept donations for repairs

By Peter Guinta

St. Augustine City Commission said Monday that it wants the Legislature to sunset a 2007 law giving management of 34 state-owned properties in the city to the University of Florida.

So, on a motion by Vice Mayor Errol Jones, the commission passed a resolution 5-0 saying just that.

If state legislators agree to this unusual request -- and even Mayor Joe Boles thinks UF won't agree to this easily -- the city would then be free to create a foundation that may accept donations to help renovate, refurbish and repair those deteriorating structures.

Otherwise, UF will manage the properties its way and be able to tap into their new revenue streams.

"We're talking about two UFs," Boles said. "We have old friends and long-established academic and research relationships with one. The other is the university's Department of Business Affairs. We'd have the proverbial 800-pound gorilla in our midst."

The state law takes effect if UF gets enough money from the Legislature to begin its preservation efforts. However, since 2007, the Legislature never appropriated any money for this purpose.

Boles said he doubts the state budget will be any more solvent in the next few years.

City Operating Officer John Regan said getting the city's historic buildings prepared for its 450th birthday celebration in September 2015 is "absolutely critical" to the city's plans.

"Things are not panning out the way they were planned," Regan said about the 2007 law. "This resolution thanks UF for its past efforts, outlines the city's multifaceted business plan, commits to pursuing public and private investment and requests a long-term lease agreement for those buildings (with the state)."

Dana Ste. Claire, director of heritage tourism and historic preservation and executive director of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, said a foundation that is able to accept private money will also be able to apply for grants, much like Colonial Williamsburg Foundation did for that city's 400th birthday.

"A foundation can do things a government can't," Ste. Claire said.

Boles said another key factor for the 450th is building a Visitor Orientation Center in the Spanish Quarter. Officials at UF estimated the cost of that project at $10 million -- $5 million from the Legislature and $5 million from the National Park Service.

But Boles was not optimistic about it.

"It'll be a long time before the state will hand out $5 million for a visitor orientation center," he said.

Regan said the city is already moving forward despite not getting any immediate help from the Legislature.

"This commission has taken an issue on the back burner and put it squarely on the front burner," he said. "We will be able to bond if we have a good enough revenue stream. Every $90,000 (in revenue) bonds $1 million. There are multiple financing options. UF has no business plan and depends solely on state money. Whereas, we have an aggressive revenue stream."

Boles said Resolution 2010-12 might mean nothing, since this year's legislative session is nearly over.

"It'll be a year from now before it comes up, if it comes up," he said. "Everywhere I go, people ask, 'What is UF going to do?' I think it's clear they are not coming in. We need control over our own destiny."