If Vilano Beach wasn’t already a popular beach blanket destination, the Vilano Beach Town Center street-scape and infrastructure officially completed last week would make it one.
The project, which is a citizen/government partnership, has been in the works for 10 years.
The ribbon cutting ceremony included the dedication of the Oceanfront Pavilion, a performance by St. Augustine High School’s chamber singers, a disc jockey and wine and food provided by local restaurants. The pavilion was packed with residents on hand to listen to Congressman John Mica, Commissioners Cyndi Stevenson and Jim Bryant, School Board member Carla Wright and other local dignitaries.
"It doesn’t always take leaders in Washington," Mica said, congratulating the North Shores Improvement Association. "There isn’t anything that can’t be accomplished by communities working together."
Bryant said the government officials were really on the sidelines with this project and there for support.
"The work that Vivian (Browning) and others have done has empowered other people in our community," Bryant said. "Thank you for your hard work and dedication."
According to the North Shores Improvement Association, a citizen/government partnership was founded with St. Johns County in 1999 and entered the improvement plan into the Waterfronts Florida Program, part of the Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Main Street Program, part of the Florida Department of State. Ground breaking on the underground utilities and storm water system began in 2006 and a mixed use zoning classification was approved for the Town Center district, allowing for residential living over retail and commercial units.
