Crews begin relocation of Confederate memorial from St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Protesters greeted crews hired to relocate the Confederate memorial in the Plaza de la Constitucion, Friday morning.

Jeremy Patterson with Progressive Construction told Action News Jax the work, which started Friday, will take 2-4 weeks to complete.

He said, “We’re going to have a steel frame built around it to protect it, and then we’ll jack it down, put it on hydraulic dollies and we’ll move it down the road.”

According to Patterson his family has been moving historic structures for four generations.

Action News Jax reported Monday when St.Augustine commissioners voted Trout Creek Fish Camp the memorial’s new home.

The owner of the property agreed to cover the cost of sidewalks, lighting, seating, and a new foundation around the monument.

Patterson explained, “They’ll build a foundation under it, we’ll set it, and it’ll be there for another couple hundred years.”

He said he understands there are passionate arguments on both sides of the debate, and he’s committed to keeping the process transparent.

“Other cities are going through, in the middle of the night trying to take down the statues,” explained Patterson.

Action News Jax showed you all Confederate memorabilia being removed from Jacksonville’s Hemming Park in June.

“We want to do it in daylight hours. We want to know who’s doing it. We’re not here to cover up our names. We’re not here to hide from everybody,” said Patterson.

He said his goal is preserving history even if that means moving it to a different location.

“We’re honored to be part of everything we save cause it’s there for the next generation,” said Patterson.

A spokesperson for the City of St.Augustine said the relocation process will cost approximately $235,000.

Cox Media Group