Hundreds of hotel rooms are being built in St. Augustine, and at least two hotels are scheduled to open this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Five hotels are in the works: The Marriott Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel with 89 rooms on West Castillo Drive; a Homewood Suites by Hilton with 117 rooms at 10 Prawn St.; a Marriott Tribute hotel with 51 rooms at 5 Prawn St.; a Comfort Suites hotel with 86 rooms on North Ponce de Leon Boulevard; and a Hilton Garden Inn with 89 rooms on North Ponce de Leon Boulevard, said Patrick Doty, a senior planner with the city of St. Augustine.
St. Augustine city leaders raise concerns about Sebastian Inland Harbor proposal
Among the concerns raised by the commissioners were parking, traffic and flooding impacts. Another concern is shared by nearby residents: short-term rentals. Author: Jessica Clark Updated: 6:45 PM EST January 26, 2021
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. A major development planned for the edge of downtown St. Augustine did not pass muster Monday night with city commissioners.
The Sebastian Inland Harbor project is a 13-acre proposal along King Street and Ribera Streets. The project was approved more than 10 years ago for a hotel, apartments, commercial space and a marina. However, it never got off the ground, and the land remains vacant.
The project in another form has already been approved, but developers are seeking an adjustment to the Planned Unit Development agreement, including increasing the number of multi-family units.
The new development plan reflects a reduction of 58 hotel rooms and approximately 10,000 square feet of retail space in exchange for an increase of 80 multi-family units, and the owners have eliminated plans for adding 75-foot and 90-foot towers.
Some Lincolnville residents oppose the project because of its scale and how much it would increase traffic.
Public comment won t be taken on that agenda item tonight because it s only the first reading, but people can make comments on the issue during the meeting s general public comment period.
St. Augustine board recommends OK for Sebastian Inland Harbor project
City Commission will have final say
The St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of changes to the Sebastian Inland Harbor Planned Unit Development at Tuesday s hearing.
The request will go to the City Commission for review along with concerns from the board. The meeting date had not been set as of early Wednesday.
The project would be a large waterfront complex next to Riberia Street, King Street and the San Sebastian River with hotel rooms, apartments, shops and a marina.
Under the new development agreement, the project would feature a maximum of 165 apartments; up to 167 hotel rooms with associated spaces ( a banquet hall and meeting rooms, restaurant, lounge, spa and exercise facilities and gift shop ); up to 27,000 square feet of retail and commercial space; a marina with up to 65 slips; two parking garages ― one for the apartments and one for the rest of t