🏴‍☠️ July 11, 2024 | Don't forget your sunscreen this weekend!

Good Morning, St. Augustine!

I’m James and this is the Old City Lowdown.

I wanted to welcome the 500+ (!) new subscribers this week. Truly appreciate you joining the Lowdown Family. We have an amazing town towns (what’s up, St. Augustine Beach?) and I’m grateful to share the comings and goings with all of you each week.

In this week’s edition:

• UV Indexes are off the charts - wear your sunscreen!

• Hurricane season will be a lively one, per experts

• State funds pumped into county & municipalities

Now, let’s get to the Lowdown.

— James Foote, Publisher | Old City Lowdown

_{Want to advertise in the Old City Lowdown? Shoot me an email.}

🌞 WEEKEND WEATHER

Thu, Jul 11: 89 🌡️ 75 | ☁️ | 💧22% | 💨 W 9mph | 🧴UV 7 | 🌒 29.1%

Fri, Jul 12: 91 🌡️ 77 | ⛅️ | 💧 16% | 💨 SSW 11mph | 🧴UV 11 | 🌒 38%

Sat, Jul 13: 91 🌡️ 78 | ⛅️ | 💧 24% | 💨 S 11mph | 🧴UV 11 | 🌓 50%

Sun, Jul 14: 90 🌡️ 77 | ⛈️ | 💧 51% | 💨 S 11mph |🧴UV 11 | 🌔 56.9%

❗️ONE BIG THING:

The most important news/update of the week

🏃 The 40th Anniversary Bridge of Lions 5k Race takes place this Saturday, July 13. Runners and walkers will start at Castillo de San Marcos, cross the Bridge of Lions, and pass through Davis Shores. The race finishes at Oglethorpe Park on Anastasia Island, where participants receive a custom finisher medal and enjoy snacks and refreshments.

*You might want to avoid the the Fort, Bridge of Lions, and Davis Shores areas between 7-10A on Saturday.

📰 LOCAL NEWS

Updates that actually matter

💲 St. Johns County Receives Big Funding from State

Thanks to the Focus on Florida's Future Budget for FY 2025, St. Johns County is set to receive $26.5 million for various improvements. Here's a breakdown of how the funds will be used:

All Hazards Regional Fire Training Facility & Unified Command Center: $7.5 million for essential training and coordinated responses to large-scale incidents in North Florida.

State Road 16 – Phase 1: $7.5 million to widen the road and add bike lanes, sidewalks, and medians.

County Road 2209 – Central Segment Phase 2: $6.5 million to enhance this crucial north-south corridor.

South Ponte Vedra Beach Dune Restoration: $4.75 million for beach erosion control and recreational opportunities.

Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center: $225,000 for security upgrades and accessibility improvements.

Additionally, there's access to $440 million in state conservation funds for land acquisition through the Florida Forever Program.

🚧 St. Augustine Beach Secures $3 Million for Drainage Upgrades

The City of St. Augustine Beach has been awarded $3 million during the 2024 Florida Legislative session for two key projects:

Oceanside Circle Roadway and Drainage Improvements: $1.5 million for planning, engineering, and construction to mitigate floodwater and improve the roadway.

FDOT Ponds 400, 500, and Infrastructure Upgrades: $1.5 million to enhance stormwater drainage along SR A1A.

🌀 CSU now calls for more named storms, major hurricanes

Researchers at Colorado State University have updated their Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast, now predicting a more active season than originally expected. The updated forecast calls for 25 named storms (up from 23), with 12 hurricanes (up from 11), and six major hurricanes (up from five). They noted near-record sea surface temperatures and the anticipated La Niña during peak season, both contributing to favorable conditions for storm formation and intensification. Hurricane Beryl is seen as an indicator of an active season ahead.

🏡 Neighborhood Grants Program Accepting Applications through July 15

The City of St. Augustine's Neighborhood Services Neighborhood Grant Program (NGP) application period ends on Monday, July 15. The NGP offers up to $ 3,000 to groups for neighborhood improvement projects. With city staff's technical assistance, these funds help organizations plan and implement community initiatives. Submit applications via email to [email protected], by mail, or in person at the Neighborhood Services Division, 75 King Street, Lobby B, 4th Floor. The NGP Award Committee will review approved applications.

🏨 Luxury Apartments to occupy site of former St. Augustine Outlets

Thompson Thrift Development Inc. announced plans to build Terrassa, a 324-unit luxury apartment community, as part of the redevelopment of the former St. Augustine Outlets property near I-95 in St. Johns County. Construction is set to start this month, with completion expected by fall 2026.

🎈Releasing balloons is weird - and now it's illegal

As of July 1, it's illegal in Florida to intentionally release balloons outdoors. A new law aims to protect wildlife from getting entangled in or ingesting deflated balloons. Sea turtles and other sea and land animals often mistake balloons for food or get trapped in their strings. Violators will face a $150 fine, the same as for littering. This statewide ban enhances previous local regulations in some municipalities.

🚒 Fishing for Fallen Firefighters

Last weekend, hundreds gathered in St. Augustine for a fishing tournament supporting the St. Johns County Firefighters Benevolent Fund. Over 120 boats participated, with proceeds benefiting the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall at Fire Rescue Headquarters. The event raised over $22,000 (and counting). This inaugural St. Johns County Firefighter Association fundraiser will become an annual tradition.

🏙️ WHAT’S GOING DOWN

This is what the cool kids are doing this weekend

🎩 July 11 | Words and Music Series: Backintyme at The Waterworks (Uptown) - Frank and Mary Lee Sweet, performing as Backintyme, will share 19th-century stories and music from 1-2P at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine (Free Admission).

🖊️ July 11 | Leather & Ink at Barley & Ink (Uptown)- $250 gets you a flash tattoo, three leather accessories, a personal charcuterie box, and a beverage.

🪴 July 13 | Serpentine Plant Sale at Spinster Abbott’s (Uptown) - Check out the pop-up plant sale featuring Gainesville-based retailer, Serpentine, from 1-5P on Saturday. Huge variety of tropical and desert plants, custom soil blends, and much more.

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored - they're just the things you need to know. Forget something? Email me.}

🎸 LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Regretfully, no live music calendar this week as I am on the road this week with unreliable internet connection. Live Music Lowdown will be back better than ever next week.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Old City Lowdown today. If you found it useful, consider sharing it with someone who used to fish at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier.