Protecting St. Augustine Archaeology

This morning's St. Augustine Record has a once-sided article about St. Johns County Administrator MICHAEL PATRICK WANCHICK's negotiations with KEY INTERNATIONAL about development of the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park in conjunction with the St. Augustine Beach Resort.
KEY INTERNATIONAL bought the SAB Resort for some $4 million. The property is run-down with lousy reviews.
The property is now closed, locked and has "no trespassing" signs posted by the St. Augustine Beach Police.
No so fast, Mr. WANCHICK.
Not so fast, St. Johns County.
Not so fast, City of St. Augustine Beach.
The Beach Resort adjoins Anastasia State Park, with its endangered species, including turtles, birds and the Ansastasia Beach Mouse.
The Beach Resort would never have been permitted under today's environmental laws.
It has been reliably reported that the property in quo likely contains the archaeological remains of St. Augustine's founding!
In 1566, our Nation's Oldest city moved to Anastasia Island after Selawa Indians burned down the original site at the Indian village of Seloy.
Veteran City of St. Augustine City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt, who has held the position for 24 years, reliably told the St. Augustine Record January 11, 2014 that "circumstantial" evidence points to the likelihood that the second site of our city was where the Resort and Pier are located.
That strong evidence includes an artesian well, colonial pottery and colonial roads converging in the viciinity.
"It is my hypothesis that this is the second settlement of St. Augustine" in 1566, before the City moved to its current location, where the first town plan was developed in 1571 (still in place today).
Hence, for the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine, nothing can contribute more to history and scholarship than finding out the truth about St. Augustine's second settlement.
We must insist upon an independent federal, University of Florida and/or St. Johns County archaeological investigation before the site can be developed, with what St. Augustine Beach Planning and Zoning Direcor GARY LARSON predicts will be a "teardown."
LARSON last year told St. Augustine Beach Commissioners that he could not tell who was planning to buy the Resort. How secretive!
WANCHICK told SAB and County Commissioners about his negotiations at a meeting that was held in an Airport conference room, away from cable tv and live streaming video coverage. How secretive! (See below).
Enough secrecy.
If this is indeed the location of St. Augustine's second settlement, we need to explore government purchase of the St. Augustine Beach Resort as part of Anastasia State Park, and eventually, the St. Augustine Naional Historical Park and National Seashore.
St. Augustine Beach City Planning and Zoning Director GARY LARSON told the Record on January 11th that this is the best location on the beach between Daytona and Jacksonville, with a "fantastic ocean view."
That's all the more reason for it to be part of Anastasia State Park, and not another resort.
Florida is already blessed with resorts and condos.
The site of St. Augustine's first settlement has been identified by University of Florida Archaeologist Dr. Kathy Deegan and is preserved by the Fraser Family (Fountain of Youth park) and Roman Catholic Church (Lady of La Leche Shrine and Mission de Nombre de Dios).
The site of St. Augustine's second settlement -- on the beach -- must be preserved forever as parkland.
It is up to us.