The City of St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area (LCRA) celebrated the LCRA Institutional Rehabilitation Project at the Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge this week, on Tuesday, August 19. Distinguished guests included Ben Stevenson, Exalted Ruler of Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge #649, George Greenhill, Elks Florida Association President, and additional representatives from local and state Elks Associations. From the City of St. Augustine, Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder, City Commissioners Cynthia Garris and Jon DePreter, City of St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim, Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin, and numerous City directors and staff attended.
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline offered remarks, saying, “Restoring significant places like the Elks Lodge is not only a testament to the City and CRA’s dedication to acknowledging the need for revitalization and preservation, but our dedication to stabilization and place-saving.” She continued, “Historic preservation is not only about the restoration of the physical structure and its tangible connections. We preserve these structures for the stories and the cultural significance that will impact our community for generations to come.”
Before the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and opening the building to those in attendance for a self-guided tour, Jaime D. Perkins, Community Service Director, shared her personal connection to the building, “As a young woman, and even as non-member I spent time at the Elks Lodge and was able to enjoy the culture and comradery that was curated here. I remember walking through the doors for various community events and Ms. Johnnie Mae Van, whose 100th birthday we recently celebrated, would be sitting at the door to welcome me and so many others.”
Perkins also shared one perspective of the historical significance of this renovation as well, “While completing our final walk through, I recall Ms. Cora Tyson remarking that she was here when the very first brick was laid for this building and how impressed she is with the complete renovations over 70 years later. Remarks like these from people like Ms. Tyson make our work worthwhile and the City and CRA is grateful to give back and preserve our treasured historic sites in this way.”
The Elks Lodge is a historic institution in Lincolnville known for its rich cultural heritage. This $1.3M Institutional Rehabilitation Project focused on historic preservation and was partially funded through the African American Cultural and Historical Grant, with an award amount of $891k. Improvements included the repair and repurposing of its famous jalousie windows, updates to all mechanical and electrical components, installation of an elevator for ADA access, structural stabilization, flood mitigation and exterior/interior painting.
For inquiries regarding this project or other CRA matters, contact Jaime D. Perkins, Community Services Director, at 904.209.4254 or via email at jperkins@citystaug.com.
For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at mwissel@citystaug.com.
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Photo attachment: Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline cuts the ribbon with Ben Stevenson, Exalted Ruler of Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge #649. Pictured center, Ms. Cora Tyson.