The St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting held on April 28, 2025, focused on several key topics, including a celebration of the agency's 25-year anniversary and discussions on potential new projects.

The meeting commenced with a report from the agency, which was previously distributed to members for review. The speaker expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the commissioners and acknowledged the significant achievements of the CRA over the past quarter-century. There was a shared sentiment of concern regarding potential state-level changes that could impact CRAs across Florida, emphasizing the importance of maintaining support for local redevelopment efforts.

A notable agenda item was the proposal to explore the development of a park in Francis Field. One commissioner highlighted the absence of a city park in downtown St. Augustine, advocating for a space that would serve the community similarly to the recently developed park in Lincolnville. The commissioner suggested that a park could be designed in a way that would not interfere with existing events, such as the Sing Out Loud festival. The board agreed that this idea was worth pursuing, and staff was directed to investigate potential designs and costs for the proposed park.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to community development and the need for continued collaboration among city officials and staff. The next steps will involve further exploration of the park proposal and ongoing discussions about the agency's future initiatives.