House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1230 Historic Preservation---Special Categories---Flagler College Wall
Requester:	William Proctor		Organization:		President, Flagler College
Project Title:	Historic Preservation---Special Categories---Flagler College Wall		Date Submitted:		01/28/2000 6:40:55 PM
District Member:	Doug Wiles		Service Area:		City/Town
Counties Affected:	St. Johns
Recipient:	Flagler College		Contact:		William Proctor
	P.O. Box 1027		Contact Phone:		(904) 829-6481
	St. Augustine 32084
Project Description:
This project is a continuation of the restoration of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon. Attention is now to be focused on the restoration of the perimeter wall which outlines two full sides and two half sides of the property. The hotel and the 600-foot wall were built by pioneering entrepreneur Henry Morrison Flagler between 1885-87. The grand opening was in January of 1888, and the hotel was billed as the "Newport of the South" for extremely wealthy northern vacationers. Open only three months of the year, the hotel featured every convenience and luxury available at that time. It still stands as a masterpiece of architecture, design, elegance and function. In 1968 the Hotel Ponce de Leon became the home of Flagler College, a four-year, co-educational institution. Since that time, private and public funds have repaired, renovated, maintained and preserved most of the historic structures on the campus. Now the wall, which is an integral part of the architectural design, is in line for restoration and repair to address its critical state of deterioration. Restoration of the wall would mean bringing back its beauty and usefulness. A restored wall will enhance public safety by making it more stable and providing lighting for the Flagler campus and the historical section of St. Augustine. The Department of State recommended funding this project at $300,000.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
The ancient city of St. Augustine is one of Florida's most popular tourist attractions. Last year, nearly two million visitors chose St. Augustine as the place to spend their vacations...and their money. Historical landmarks, such as the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, provide visitors with the opportunity to go back in time, to the very beginning of our nation. Repairing and restoring the 600-foot wall which outlines the historic hotel will ensure that this piece of our heritage will survive for another hundred years. Keeping these landmarks in tact will also ensure that tourists will continue to visit, thus enhancing Florida's economy. In addition to the economic benefits to the State of Florida, repairing and restoring this landmark will improve the safety of the city by providing better lighting for the Flagler College campus and the historical district.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Historic restoration will preserve the integrity of the wall for generations. Safety records of the area in question can be compared to previous years.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$300,000
Total cost of the project:		$768,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?				Yes
	Cash Amount:	$468,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?				No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?				No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?				Yes
	Agency:	State, Department Of, And Secretary Of State
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?				Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?				No
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?				Unknown