St. Augustine Beach City Planning and Building Director Gary Larson has rightly rejected plans for remodeling of Panama Hatties.
St. Augustine Record developer fanboy STUART KORFHAGE omitted this detail from his laudatory article about the "really cool building" the South Florida purchaser plans, resembling Salt Life Food Shack restaurant. Developer fanboy STUART KORFHAGE once again fails to hold a developer accountable. Does he work for readers or for developers?
First, a confirmatory e-mail from Mr. Larson on his ruling, sent earlier this morning in response to my Open Records request Number 2017-6; then the St. Augustine Record article and one from 2002:
Mr. Larson's e-mail:
RE: FEMA 50% Rule
Well aware of requirements. At this time, the plans for re-model have been denied by the City due to wanting to expand outside seating to the North upper wing without additional parking. Where this is at now, there is extreme structural issues with what was there. The South wing is built on railroad ties in the ground. The North wing has rotted timbers in the ceiling. Found in the interior after drywall was removed, openings cut everywhere, hollow concrete block columns holding ceiling and upper level members. When a total damage assessment is made, new plans will be required. The owners have been advised, consider placing the facility on pilings for additional parking underneath. The finished floor is also 1.3 feet below the require 10 foot elevation that needs to be addressed. Most likely, they will have to come before the P & Z for a concept review and final development order issued for the facility. They can also request a variance for parking. Will keep you advised as this issue unfolds.
Now here's the Record's incurious article by fanboy Stuart Korfhage:
Posted November 28, 2017 12:02 am - Updated November 28, 2017 10:16 am
By
stuart.korfhage@staugustine.com
By
stuart.korfhage@staugustine.com
Panama Hattie’s in midst of major renovation, to be completed in spring
One of St. Augustine Beach’s iconic dining spots is in the process of getting a serious renovation.
Construction crews have been working since September to dismantle parts of Panama Hattie’s on A1A Beach Boulevard. This week, the demolition phase is going to get even more intense as crews remove more of the building as they clear it to the original structure from the 1940s.
Construction superintendent Jon Berthiaum of GK Development Group said the restaurant will have a new look by the time construction is completed in the spring of 2018. He said it will look more like its neighbor Salt Life Food Shack, which opened in 2013.
“It’s going to be a super cool building,” Berthiaum said.
The new restaurant is expected to have a “state of the art” kitchen and more seating on the second floor.
“We’re excited about the renovation of this St. Augustine Beach landmark,” said Alex Mavris, part of the ownership group.
“Our upgraded new look will complement the recent improvements and developments here on the beach.”
With two hurricanes hitting the area in the last two hurricane seasons, Berthiaum said the improvements will also leave the structure better suited to handling storm conditions.
Although the restaurant is closed while undergoing such extensive changes, there are still many who are visiting the site for nostalgic reasons.
Berthiaum said he wonders how many couples met or became engaged at the restaurant, which had great views from the second-floor deck. He noticed that many people seem to have a sentimental attachment to the old place.
While workers have been doing their demolition work, they’ve had to keep visitors from entering the site — more for safety reasons than anything else. Berthiaum said a lot of longtime patrons have been looking for a piece of the building to snag as a souvenir.
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2002 Record article about demolition plans then:
Panama Hatties to pour its last drink Monday
PETER GUINTA
Senior Writer
Published Saturday, September 28, 2002
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- Panama Hatties, a 6,500-square-foot restaurant at 361 A1A Beach Blvd., closes for good Monday night.
But, be forewarned -- Don't miss this going-away party!
The farewell is scheduled for Monday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. A free buffet will be offered and there will be "deeply discounted" drinks, said Ed Farley of Farley Development, St. Augustine Beach.
He heads a group of investors that bought Panama Hatties this week for an undisclosed sum. The new company is named Sandcastle of Anastasia LLC.
"We just want to move the liquor out," he said. "That should be some party."
The 200-seat restaurant, constructed in 1958, and its .8 acre are appraised at $2.1 million.
"We're doing a feasibility study right now to see what the highest and best use of the property is," Farley said. "We're looking at (building) retail space and a 2,000 square foot restaurant that will carry the Panama Hatties name during off-season months."
The investment group consists of Farley, Panama Hatties owner Stephen Ransom, Aleta Anderson of Realty World, swing band leader Ed Trester and real estate attorney John Galleta, plus out-of-state investors from New Jersey, Germany and the Bahamas.
Ransom, who has owned the property since May with his wife, sold it to Sandcastle then turned around and bought a share.
"They put an offer on the table," Ransom said Friday. "It would have been pretty hard bringing this old place back. And we're limited to what we can do to promote it. Parking was also a problem. In the long run, it could be a heavy burden."
Noise was also a concern.
Condominiums behind the property prompted four or five complaints per night to police about loud music at the bar, he said.
"St. Augustine Beach people are great," Ransom said. "Locals can carry you."
Farley, a former executive with the Captain D's restaurant chain, said Panama Hatties will be torn down.
"It's 40 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life. It doesn't have handicapped rest rooms upstairs and there are other problems," he said.
But he hasn't yet applied for permits or zoning changes.
"It's commercially zoned now. We considered building condos there, but we'd need to ask for a zoning change," he said. "That's Plan B. But we wouldn't want to do that unless we have the blessing of the City Commission."
The retail vision right now is seeing a smaller Panama Hatties open, then perhaps an ice cream, bagel and kite shop in the other spaces.
"The whole beach is changing because of the new (restored) beach," he said. "The city is now undergoing redevelopment."
----------
2002 Record article about demolition plans then:
Panama Hatties to pour its last drink Monday
PETER GUINTA
Senior Writer
Published Saturday, September 28, 2002
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- Panama Hatties, a 6,500-square-foot restaurant at 361 A1A Beach Blvd., closes for good Monday night.
But, be forewarned -- Don't miss this going-away party!
The farewell is scheduled for Monday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. A free buffet will be offered and there will be "deeply discounted" drinks, said Ed Farley of Farley Development, St. Augustine Beach.
He heads a group of investors that bought Panama Hatties this week for an undisclosed sum. The new company is named Sandcastle of Anastasia LLC.
"We just want to move the liquor out," he said. "That should be some party."
The 200-seat restaurant, constructed in 1958, and its .8 acre are appraised at $2.1 million.
"We're doing a feasibility study right now to see what the highest and best use of the property is," Farley said. "We're looking at (building) retail space and a 2,000 square foot restaurant that will carry the Panama Hatties name during off-season months."
The investment group consists of Farley, Panama Hatties owner Stephen Ransom, Aleta Anderson of Realty World, swing band leader Ed Trester and real estate attorney John Galleta, plus out-of-state investors from New Jersey, Germany and the Bahamas.
Ransom, who has owned the property since May with his wife, sold it to Sandcastle then turned around and bought a share.
"They put an offer on the table," Ransom said Friday. "It would have been pretty hard bringing this old place back. And we're limited to what we can do to promote it. Parking was also a problem. In the long run, it could be a heavy burden."
Noise was also a concern.
Condominiums behind the property prompted four or five complaints per night to police about loud music at the bar, he said.
"St. Augustine Beach people are great," Ransom said. "Locals can carry you."
Farley, a former executive with the Captain D's restaurant chain, said Panama Hatties will be torn down.
"It's 40 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life. It doesn't have handicapped rest rooms upstairs and there are other problems," he said.
But he hasn't yet applied for permits or zoning changes.
"It's commercially zoned now. We considered building condos there, but we'd need to ask for a zoning change," he said. "That's Plan B. But we wouldn't want to do that unless we have the blessing of the City Commission."
The retail vision right now is seeing a smaller Panama Hatties open, then perhaps an ice cream, bagel and kite shop in the other spaces.
"The whole beach is changing because of the new (restored) beach," he said. "The city is now undergoing redevelopment."
Fake news as usual by the sub human piece of scum that wrote this garbage!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you're inarticulate. Sorehead.
ReplyDelete