City plans big party

[Jason]

City plans big party

450th anniversary celebration plans taking shape

By PETER GUINTA  |   More by this reporter  |  peter.guinta@staugustine.com  |   Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2009 ; Updated: 12:01 AM on Sunday, October 25, 2009

Everyone knows a big party for St. Augustine's 450th birthday is coming because the invited guests include the King of Spain, Queen Elizabeth II of England and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

But Dana Ste. Claire, executive director of St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission smiled last week when asked if the pressure of planning for this major event is getting to him.

"People see this event as the programs (that will be offered)," Ste. Claire said. "But the reality of this event will be measured in parking spaces and bathrooms."

The Sept. 8, 2015, party is expected to draw millions of people from around the world to experience a first-class cultural and historical bash.

But the party really begins in 2013, the anniversary of Ponce de Leon's sighting of Florida.

Until then and afterward, art, music and cultural festivals, historical lectures and exhibits, infrastructure improvements, a new visitor's center at Castillo de San Marcos and construction of a 16th-century Spanish ship will keep the city alert to the coming event.

All will be under the slogan, "First America," a not-so-subtle reminder that St. Augustine was here before Jamestown, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding in 2007.

The king, queen and pope were not just chosen by random. The city was, after all, founded by the Spanish, ruled by the British for 20-some years and is the location where the first Catholic Mass was heard in the New World.

Ste. Claire's been taking inventory and assessing and evaluating all of the city's infrastructure.

"That's not as much fun as planning programs," he said. "We're aiming high to get the types of significant events and exhibits we (want). But we also must look at the city differently and figure out how it can host an event of this magnitude."

Try to visualize 100,000 people downtown for a three- to four-day period, he said.

"It would be like the Fourth of July every day," he said. "That many people will severely impact our infrastructure. So, having the community involved in this is critical."

All by himself, the Pope would draw millions.

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles said the 450th Commission's plans "are still on track with everything we originally started to do. Once you create momentum, you've got to keep going. We want the world to be proud of St. Augustine."

City engineers and staff have been working on solving 450th birthday problems for a year, he said.

"We're like a small house having a big Christmas party," he said.

One of those helping plan the party is Former St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner, an amateur historian himself. The mission of his group, the 450th Community Corps, is to "contribute to the success of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission" by being an information and idea conduit, he said.

"If people call us with an idea, we send it on to the Commission. We're focused on the community elements of (planning)," he said. "We're starting a data base and speaker's bureau to tell the story of what the 450th Commemoration Commission is putting together."

Jamestown's 400th planning employed 150 different committees, he said.

"We can envision an awesome festival bound together by a common spirit," Gardner said. "It's a multi-faceted ball we're dealing with, but it will all come together."

St. Augustine Record publisher Derek May said the event's planning and aftermath will "elevate permanently the standing of St. Augustine among cities with historic tourism," such as Jamestown, Charleston and Savannah.

"We were here first," May said. "This is where America was born. Jamestown is a complete re-creation, not a living city like St. Augustine."

He said The Record is encouraging public and private partnerships with the commission.

"We all need to work on a common theme," May said. "It's going to have to be done on a shoestring."

Ste. Claire echoed May by saying Pedro Menendez began the oldest permanent settlement in the U.S.

"He didn't just plant a flag," Ste. Claire said. "We want the nation to celebrate with us and understand the role St. Augustine played in the history and cultural development of America."

[Charles Hunter]

Makes the need for Amtrak on the FEC tracks even more pressing.  Visitors can fly into JIA, ride a shuttle bus to a train station near Duval Road, then Amtrak to St. Augustine.

[mtraininjax]

Certainly something to put on the calender, and party like its 2015 or 2013, but do we really need a party to celebrate our fantastic heritage?

[Jason]

I think its worth celebrating.  Plus the worldwide exposure should be a small boon to the economy.

Hopefully by then Amtrak will be up and running, Sebastian Inland Harbor will be nearing completion, and some sort of public transportation loop conneting the Amtrak station to the garage/visitors center via the historic core will be circulating.

[copperfiend]

Certainly something to put on the calender, and party like its 2015 or 2013, but do we really need a party to celebrate our fantastic heritage?

Um...yeah.

[Ocklawaha]

Where's The St. Johns Electric Railway, we we'll really need it?

The last remains of which are probably rotting away in some St. Augustine backyard, serving as a shed, packed full of lawn mowers, ancient folding beds, boxes, and mice...

450 years and we still haven't got it right!

OCKLAWAHA

[Captain Zissou]

This is going to be epic.  The points about commuter rail and JIA are great.  St Augustine is going to be swamped.  It should help everywhere from the Golf Village to PV and southside.

[Jason]

IMO, this will be another "Super Bowl" for the First Coast.  I wonder if Jax has any plans to capitalize on the festivities?

[Johnny]

seems like a big waste of time... i heard the world is ending 12/21/12.

[Sportmotor]

seems like a big waste of time... i heard the world is ending 12/21/12.

dont belive everything you hear

[British Shoe Company]

Amtrak scares me big time. (I pay taxes)  Why doesn't  CSX take the lead?

[Jason]

CSX?  They are a freight company.  Unless you want to travel by boxcar Amtrak is the way to go.  Furthermore, the line through St. Augustine is owned by Florida East Coast (FEC) not CSX.

I pay taxes to and welcome Amtrak with arms wide open. 

[Captain Zissou]

What's wrong with traveling by boxcar?? It used to be a regular way of life...

[British Shoe Company]

I think a private train company that could be profitable would be better.  If that is not possible, then we will go with a government ran system.

[thelakelander]

When is the last time SR 16, San Marco Avenue or King Street turned a profit?  Why hold rail to a higher standard?