A look at the top stories of 2019 in St. Johns County – St. Augustine Record

In 2019, developmental pressures continued to dominate news headlines in St. Johns County.

The year featured a host of construction projects, a major land acquisition and other issues pertaining to the explosion in growth the county is experiencing. But other topics caused a stir as well.

Heres a look at some of the top stories of 2019:

GROWTH

As the decade drew to a close, the influx of more construction, more residents and more infrastructure began to near a boiling point, clashing with concerns about land preservation, traffic congestion and overcrowded schools.

The battle over Fish Island especially highlighted the issue of development pressures in St. Johns County.

Located on the Matanzas River adjacent to the State Road 312 bridge, Fish Island was once home to a sprawling citrus grove in Florida and had remained untouched since.

But when developers called for plans to build residential units in 2018, residents worked with nonprofit Matanzas Riverkeeper to fight the project.

In late-November, the North Florida Land Trust, in partnership with the State of Florida, negotiated to buy the property from the owners for $6.5 million. The state is now the owner of Fish Island, and the city of St. Augustine agreed to manage the property.

In July, local developer Chris Shee submitted an application with the county for a site off State Road 207 to build as many as 3,700 new homes, 3 million square feet of commercial space, 500,000 square feet of office space, another 500,000 square feet of industrial space, 600 hotel rooms and a new school site.

The most ambitious part of the Parrish Farms plan, which is still early in the approval process, involves constructing a new interchange on I-95 between S.R. 207 and State Road 206.

At the same time, established commercial and residential corridors in the county have become busier.

Parcel by parcel, over the last couple of decades State Road 16 has been filled in with development, including two outlet malls, numerous hotels, restaurants and other retail. More commercial projects are on the way.

Comparatively, S.R. 207 had remained less dense commercially. But that has begun to change. Over the last couple of years, several large residential communities have grabbed up land off 207, among them Treaty Oaks, Deerfield Preserve and the Arbor at Valencia.

A 256-unit, multi-family rental community called Brisa at St. Augustine fronting on S.R. 207 is under construction. Other plans in various stages of approval include two subdivisions west of I-95 on 207. Winding Oaks would encompass 250 homes, and another project called Black Gold would have 400 homes.

Growth at the St. Augustine Shipyards off U.S. 1 near S.R. 207 and adjacent to the San Sebastian River could also bring more activity to that area of town.

A deal struck in November transferred ownership of the property to the Windward Marina Group, and the leadership team wants to establish more of a connection between the Shipyards and its operations across the river on Riberia Street in St. Augustine.

MOTHER NATURE

For over a week in early September, the threat of Hurricane Dorian put life on hold for residents, businesses, schools and emergency officials all waiting and watching its fickle path from the Caribbean up the Florida coast.

In the end, the storm shifted direction, producing gusty winds and rainfall for most, though some properties in St. Augustine received flood damage.

Employers who didnt want to put workers in the way of danger and hospitality businesses betting on cancellations closed down, erring on the side of caution.

While many were unscathed by Hurricane Dorian, the storm caused a breach in sand that fronts the Summer Haven river, which caused a small section of the waterway to get clogged and prompted St. Johns County government officials to get involved to repair the breach.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A couple of top local government officials left their positions, but for different reasons.

County Commissioners fired Michael Wanchick in November, ending his contract early after Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker said he had lost confidence in Wanchicks leadership.

Im making this motion because its my opinion that our county administrator is no longer able to execute the wishes and directions given by this board, Blocker said at the time.

Firing Wanchick early cost the county $161,080.29 in severance pay and accrued sick and vacation time as well as about $7,700 in estimated costs for continuing insurance coverage for Wanchick and his family, according to the county.

Hunter Conrad, former county clerk of court and comptroller, has taken over as interim county administrator. Commissioners plan to discuss the search for Wanchicks permanent replacement at their Jan. 21 meeting.

In other local leadership changes, Mayor Nancy Shaver resigned after having a stroke in February, and the Commission appointed former Mayor Tracy Upchurch as her replacement.

A major traffic project finally came to a close in 2019.

The intersection of May Street and San Marco Avenue, delayed long beyond its initial estimated finish date, opened in its final configuration.

The new, unique traffic pattern is a drastic departure from what was there before. The intersection is like a modified roundabout, though its not round.

Plans for a key intersection in St. Augustine were unveiled.

Barry Broudy and city officials announced a vision for the northwest corner of U.S. 1 and West King Street, the location of Broudys Liquors.

The plan would bring a pedestrian and bicyclist walkover across U.S. 1 and many new features to the Broudys lot: a parking garage, new police station, workforce housing and commercial space.

Commissioners voiced concerns about the height of the workforce housing buildings proposed at 50-55 feet and 60-65 feet high but supported allowing the city to keep exploring the idea.

The plan would need various city approvals and hasnt come back to the city for review.

Local government officials also tried to make the area a little greener this year, but the effort was met with challenges.

The city of St. Augustine Beach passed a ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam products but repealed the rules to avoid a lawsuit.

The city has pursued other initiatives as well, including designating cigarette butts as litter smokers face a $50 fine for leaving butts on the ground.

THINGS THAT GOT PEOPLE TALKING

St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Robert Hardwick and Chris Strickland, a former director with St. Johns County Sheriffs Office who resigned in 2016, filed to run for St. Johns County Sheriff. They will face each other in the Republican primary in August.

Tom Reynolds, a St. Augustine Beach resident, has filed to run with no party affiliation.

Investigations into allegations of inappropriate behavior by a teacher at R.J. Murray Middle School led to the resignation of the teacher and the reassignment of the principal, a series of events that came to light in 2019.

The Stanley Cup, professional hockeys top prize, made a stop at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine for public view and attracted hundreds of people.

Kelvin Bernie Blue was removed as Nease High School track and field coach. He had served as a teacher or coach at the school for 38 years. School Athletic Director Matt McCool said Blue had done a fabulous job but that the school had decided to go in a different direction.

After drawing national headlines as the alligator on the loose in Chicago, Chance the Snapper ended up making his home at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Hes now known as Chicago Chance and is featured in a coloring book about his adventures with his rescuer, Frank Robb.

St. Augustines famous carousel, which had been in Davenport Park, was removed after owner Jim Soules died. Because of his wishes, Soules family moved it to The Shell Factory and Nature Park in North Fort Myers. Plans are in the works to bring a new carousel to St. Augustine.

For more on these stories, go to staugustine.com.

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A look at the top stories of 2019 in St. Johns County - St. Augustine Record