ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Amid Saint Augustine's historic structures, the architecture of Flagler College blends in well.
But the campus is now spreading across Cordova Street into area considered even more historic and some residents and businesses aren't happy about it.
"This is the area that people expect to see history," said Robert Hall who lives in this 200 year old house which will soon be in the shadow of a recently approved new complex for the college’s communications department.
Student Brianna Bradford told Action News, "Everyone downtown is against it. But I'm like I go to Flagler. I’m a communications student. That's my school."
When Flagler first proposed the new three building academic facility in this historic district, Mark Knight, St. Augustine's Director of Planning and Building knew the campus crossing Cordova street would be contentious.
"We discouraged them knowing it would be controversial." said Knight, "But I had no idea it would be as controversial as it was when it came down to the end."
The proposed structure will resemble the architectural nature of those in this area.
After a seven hour meeting which aroused passions on both sides, Flagler got approval Monday from the city commission’s 3-2 vote. The buildings' design details must still be approved by St. Augustine's Historic Architectural Review Board before building permits are issued.
