The St. Johns Cultural Council is working with the City of St. Augustine on an agreement to activate one of North City's most significant historic buildings.
The Waterworks, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1898 as the pumping station for the city’s first water utility and remained in service until a new water plant opened in 1927 on West King Street.
The site was then developed into Davenport Park, and the building continued to be used as the Little Theatre, then a home for the St. Augustine Arts Club and later as the St. Augustine Garden Club.
The proposed collaboration between the city and the Cultural Council would dramatically increase access to arts, culture and heritage programming for residents and provide much-needed space for St. Augustine-based organizations to meet and host community events.
Each partner will make significant financial contributions to the effort. The city has recently completed restoration of the facility, which includes an auditorium and an outdoor music platform. The Cultural Council would make extensive improvements to the interior of the building to facilitate concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, educational programming, community meetings and more.
On-site staff — provided by the Cultural Council — would ensure that the space is well managed and cared for and would collaborate with community partners to create and present high quality programming year-round.
