A Beautification Project

Less than a mile from downtown St. Augustine, where visitors stroll around, take photos of historic sites and ride in horse-drawn carriages, is a neighborhood that’s seemingly worlds away.

In West Augustine, a predominantly African American neighborhood, a Family Dollar is one of few signs of commercial economic development. Abandoned shops dot King Street, separating the remaining storefronts in business. Children walk on West King Street, which is the face of West Augustine, to get to school each morning, while others pass through to get to different parts of town. 

Currently, the images here speak of despair, neglect, and ashes. A paint-up and clean-up project would do so much to foster hope, self-esteem and pride in the residents.

“God has placed on my heart to organize a group of people whose purpose is to turn the current ashes of despair into a beautiful place that will offer hope and healing to this neighborhood,” said Pastor Laverne March. “Our goal is to paint the structures on West King Street, depending on the amount of donations and volunteers we receive. We plan on painting at least 3 structures every 2 or 3 months, until the corridor is finished.”

Currently, we are collaborating with various churches, like Living Waters Ministries and Grace United Methodist Church, and organizations, like Compassionate St. Augustine, that help to volunteer bi-monthly to paint the structures. 

We are also collaborating with the following organizations to assist with art, murals, and landscaping along the corridor: The Department of Visual & Performing Arts at Flagler College, St. Johns Cultural Council, UF/IFAS Extension St.Johns County, Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program.