🏴‍☠️🏝️ Vilano's Getting a Pub

Good Afternoon, St. Augustine!

I’m James and this is the Old City Lowdown. Rather than a silly opening line, I wanted to take this moment to thank you for subscribing to the newsletter. This ecosystem has grown exponentially over the last 45 days and I am grateful for your involvement.

Before we get started, here are some quick items to note:

• In the coming days, you'll hear about our expansion into a new space—something I think you'll really enjoy. If all goes as planned, we might some more information on Friday. Stay tuned!

• Tonight is the final St. Augustine Vision Plan Workshop. If you can, please join and share your thoughts. A summary of the previous meetings will be discussed, but public input is encouraged as always. The meeting takes place at the Alcazar Room in City Hall from 6-8PM.

• After some reflection, I’m considering scaling back the frequency of the Lowdown to two issues per week. This change would allow me to improve each edition’s quality and dedicate more time to building our community—without overloading your inbox. But before making any changes, I’d love your feedback. Let me know your thoughts in the poll below 👇️ 

Thanks for your input. Now let’s get back to business.

In today’s edition:

• 🎾 Pickleball facility planned for St. Augustine

• 🍀 Neligan’s Pub coming to Vilano Main Street

• 🚒 Anastasia Fire Department Update

Thanks so much subscribing and I look forward to dropping in your inbox on Friday!

-James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

PS - Thanks for getting us to 1000+ followers on Instagram!

Wed • 79 🌡️ 70 | ⛅️ | 💧7% | 🍃 E 20mph

Thu • 80 🌡️ 62 | 🌥️ | 💧8% | 🍃 S 12mph

🍺 Neligan Family looks to open Irish Pub on Vilano Main Street

This might not be breaking news, but I haven’t heard much chatter about it yet. This afternoon, the St. Johns County North Coastal Design Review Board will review a proposal for upgrades at 176 Vilano Rd., where Neligan’s Pub is planning to open up shop in the old Haley’s Pub spot. Neligan Pub LLC was incorporated in December 2023, and improvements are already in progress. If approved, it will join the refreshed Haley’s Court boutique motel, adding to the revitalized vibe in the Vilano Main Street district.

🚒 New Fire Station Approved for Anastasia Island

St. Augustine will build a modern fire station on Anastasia Island at 500 Anastasia Blvd., replacing a 70-year-old facility. The $4 million site purchase ensures improved emergency response for the community. (Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today)

🎾 St. Augustine to Get Pickleball Hub

A new pickleball sports facility is planned at 6430-B County Road 16A, just north of 9 Mile Road in St. Augustine, across from the Wards Creek subdivision. The site may expand to other sports based on demand, with a review scheduled for November 20. (J. Brooks Terry, Jacksonville Daily Record)

🔋 Recycle Day Event for St. Augustine Residents

The City of St. Augustine will host a free America Recycles Day event on November 15, where residents can safely dispose of used oil, electronics, and shred documents on-site. (City of St. Augustine)

🏥 New Surgery Center coming to St. Johns County

North Florida Surgeons plan a 16,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center at Race Track Road, St. Johns County, offering outpatient services. Scheduled for review November 20, the center includes four exam rooms and ample parking. (J. Brooks Terry, Jacksonville Daily Record)

⛽️ Daily’s Plans New Station in Silverleaf

A new Daily’s gas station and store is planned for Silverleaf, featuring 16 fueling stations, EV chargers, a car wash, and a medical office. Site plans go to review on December 4. (J. Brooks Terry, Jacksonville Daily Record)

Civic Calendar

St. Augustine:

👓️ The final St. Augustine Vision Plan Public Workshop takes place TONIGHT from 6-8PM in the Alcazar Room at City Hall; open to public.

🏘️ West City Community Redevelopment Area Steering Committee is meeting Nov. 14 from 5-7PM in the Alcazar Room at City Hall; open to public.

St. Augustine Beach: 

🌱 Sustainability & Environmental Planning Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Nov. 14 at 6PM at City Hall; open to public.

St. Johns County:

🚘️ The Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Annual Meeting takes place Nov. 14 at 10AM at the St. Johns County Permit Center, Conference Room 2

Have news to report? Email me.

😆 Improv Comedy Night at Colonial Oak
📅 Nov. 13 | 7:30-9PM
📍 21 St. George Street

Veteran improv pros from First Coast Comedy dive into audience challenges, creating hilarious, family-friendly moments. Pay what you can; all seats are general admission, so every spot is equally great!

🍸️ Celebrity Bartender and Hostess for a Cause at Gas Full Service
📅 Nov. 14 | 5-8PM
📍 9 Anastasia Blvd

Join Pie in the Sky and Gas Restaurant for a fun filled evening! Fuel yourself up with amazing food and help a wonderful local organization fight senior hunger in St. Johns County.

🌴 UF Whitney Lab Lecture Series | Florida Loves Manatees: A Cultural History of Manatees in Florida
📅 Nov. 14 | 6PM
📍 Whitney Laboratory Lohman Auditorium | 9505 N Ocean Shore Blvd (across from Marineland)

A free lecture on Florida’s cultural history with manatees explores how these creatures went from “useless” sea cows to beloved icons and examines their endangered status, politics, and development impacts. Attend in person at the Lohman Auditorium, St. Augustine, or register to watch via Zoom.

🎭️ Flagler College Theatre Arts Presents: The Laramie Project
📅 Nov. 14-17 | Times Vary
📍 Lewis Auditorium, 14 Grenada St.

In 1998, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked because he was gay. Moisés Kaufman’s The Laramie Project captures local reactions through interviews, creating a powerful reflection on hate and community. (Tickets & Info)

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Want us to share your event in the Old City Lowdown?

Coming up at The Amp

• Nov 13 | Dwight Yoakam w/ Drayton Farley | Tickets

• Nov 14 | Daryl Hall w/ Howard Jones | Tickets

Wednesday, November 13

• Bin 39 Wine Bar | Craig Smith, 2-5PM

• Cafe Eleven | John Primer, 8PM | Tickets

• Casa de Vino 57 | Dharma, 7PM

• Chez L’Amour | Sam Pacetti, 6-9PM

• Fuzion 904 Eatery | Sarah, 5:30-8:30PM

• Milltop Tavern | Jim Lamb, 12PM | Reggie Starrett, 4:30PM

• Old Coast Ales | Craig Smith, 6-9PM

• Pesca Vilano | Bad Endings Band, 5-9PM

• Prohibition Kitchen | Cookin’ in the Kitchen, 6PM

• Salt Life Food Shack | Joe Downing, 6-10PM

• Tradewinds Lounge | Smokin’ Joe, 1-4:30PM | Mark Hart, 5-8PM | Jack Hammer, 9PM

Thursday, November 14

• Beaches at Vilano | Big Pineapple, 5-9PM

• Bin 39 Wine Bar | Scot Halls, 1-4PM | Bret Blackshear, 4-7PM

• Cafe Eleven | Grayson Capps & Corky Hughes, 8PM | Tickets

• Chez L’Amour | Shawn Pfaffman, 6-9PM

• Colonial Oak Music Park | Country Night with Whalin, 7-10PM

• Conch House Marina | Sex Machine Gun, 5-9PM

• Fuzion 904 Eatery | B.Y.E. Band, 5:30-8:30PM

• Guy Harvey Resort | Fond Kiser, 4-7PM

• La Cocina at San Sebastian Winery | Tony Scozzaro, 1-4PM

• Marina Munch | Katherine Archer, 5-8PM

• Meehan’s Irish Pub | Smokin’ Joe, 1PM

• Milltop Tavern | Jim Lamb, 12PM | John Tyler, 4:30PM

• No Name | Chillula, 10PM

• Oasis | Sue & Dave, 5-8PM

• Prohibition Kitchen | The Collective, 6PM

• Salt Life Food Shack | Reggie Starrett, 6-10PM

• Tradewinds Lounge | Just Wade, 1-4:30PM | Acoustic Anomaly, 5-8PM | TBA, 9ishPM

*Artists & times are subject to change. That’s showbiz, baby.

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