The Record headline writer had it wrong in the online edition but corrected it.
In print, it says, "$200M."
Biggest Record headline faux pas since 1995's "100 YEARS OF PUBIC SERVICE," the stuff of guffaws on Jay Leno.
Who writes these headlines?
City looks to lose $200 million in land sale
Posted: January 25, 2016 - 11:45pm | Updated: January 26, 2016 - 12:01am
By SHELDON GARDNER
sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com
St. Augustine commissioners approved a property sale that could result in a loss of $200,000, but the city manager says the benefits of the sale make up for the money.
Commissioners voted to allow the city manager to sign the deal to sell the land near May Street and San Marco Avenue to the Florida Department of Transportation for about $1,097,687.
The land represents part of the property the city bought at the site from 7-Eleven for about $1,458,000, not including closing costs. The city plans to sell the other part of the former 7-Eleven property and hopes to recoup about $1.25 million from both sales.
The FDOT settled on a solution for the regularly congested May Street and San Marco Avenue intersection after a series of public meetings. The city’s decision to buy the land in 2015 avoided a long legal battle between the city and 7-Eleven, City Manager John Regan said. And the sale will put improvements to the intersection on the fast track, Regan said.
“So is public safety worth the difference? Yes,” Regan said after the meeting.
Construction on the intersection should begin next summer.
No more time for developer
Commissioners turned down a request to give a developer more time to finish the Madeira Planned Unit Development on U.S. 1 North.
The site is the former location of a golf resort and convention center, according to a previous report in The Record.
One concern was that the developer had completed fewer than 100 homes, when the first phase of the project called for 200 to be built. The first phase had been planned for completion in 2008, according to city documents.
Ellen Avery-Smith, attorney for the applicant, said that for several years the PUD was in litigation, and later the project was delayed by the recession.
The argument wasn’t enough to sway the commission, and some commissioners questioned the influence the recession had on the project.
Mayor Nancy Shaver said with the request for more extensions, a reasonable person would ask how things have gone so far with the phasing.
“And the answer is not really well,” Shaver said.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to turn down a motion to approve the extensions. Commissioners Neville and Roxanne Horvath voted to allow the extensions.
Regan said he plans to get legal expertise on the ramifications of the vote.
n Commissioners moved forward two ordinances that would update the city’s zoning codes. Among other things, one ordinance would define where dormitories are allowed and would add definitions for dorms.
Another ordinance would update Planned Unit Development requirements to include two hearings by the Planning and Zoning Board unless the board decides to move a PUD along to the City Commission after one hearing.
n Some people came to the meeting to advocate for more respect by city commissioners toward the office of the mayor. Speaking on behalf of the group, Blake Souder, of Lincolnville, said the City Commission’s “accomplishments and future initiatives are undermined by the unnecessary rancor between commissioners and the disrespect occurring toward the office of the mayor. We, the citizens of St. Augustine, respectfully request that this behavior cease immediately, and that you strive for courteous and civil public meetings, where disagreement and various opinions are welcome without spite.”
1 comment:
Dottie Andrews was on vacation. Dottie is the volunteer proofreader
who works with Delinda Fogel, the publisher.
Post a Comment