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St. Augustine leaders pushing for mix-use waterfront development through proposed ordinance

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine leaders are hoping to expand the use of its waterfront properties to allow for different types of businesses.

It was one of the agenda items at Monday night’s city commission meeting.

The food truck “Crave” brings locals and visitors alike to Lincolnville, but it’s not the only attraction there.

Several other shops line the waterfront property, working hand in hand with shrimpers and other marine businesses.

It’s exactly what St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver likes to see.

“Our intention is to preserve that waterfront and have more people be able to use it in different ways,” Shaver said.

A proposed city ordinance would expand the city’s marine use district to allow for a mix of commercial uses, while still keeping the maritime industry as the main focus.

Shaver said it not only makes economic sense but it’s also in St. Augustine’s DNA.

“It’s a big part of our heritage. A big part of what put us on the map was our shrimping industry, and we still have it. This gives us the opportunity to make sure that story gets told,” Shaver said.

Shaver expects to see support for the move which she believes will help local waterfronts survive.

“Working waterfront is hard to come by in the sense of the jobs around the water,” Shaver said.

It was the proposed ordinance’s first reading at Monday’s meeting. The city expects to discuss it further before making a final decision.