An Overambitious

Plan









 In the early 1960s, a general master plan was unveiled
for the restoration of St. Augustine.
 This plan encompassed the walled area of about 1721,
declared it a 40-block historical area, and envisioned
relocating the business district of St. Augustine outside
the area to the west.
 The plan more or less called for the re-creation of St.
Augustine the way it existed in 1763, with about 20
per cent of the area to be in houses, shops and other
buildings and the remaining 80 per cent in gardens
and farms.
 As interesting as this plan was, it proved to be
overambitious financially. Acquiring, maintaining and
operating the property in such a large area far exceeded
available or anticipated resources. And there was
no efficient way to show living conditions as they actually
had existed throughout the years in this extensive area.
 The plan also froze the representation of
St. Augustine at one point in its history, rather than
presenting the full spectrum of life over two and a half
centuries.
 Although the plan has not been carried out it has
served as an inducement to further interest in a restoration
program more practical for implementation.