St. Augustine — St. Augustine’s Lincolnville’s Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge 684, located at 100 Washington Street, receives $891,932 for major repairs and renovations. The City of St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency received the monies from the Florida African American Cultural and Historical Grants program to fund Lincolnville’s Community Redevelopment Area Institutional Rehabilitation Grant Program.
According to the City’s press release, the grant opportunity was presented by The Florida State Department with funding provided by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for construction projects at Florida facilities that highlight the contributions, culture, and history of African Americans. Organizations could request up to $500,000 or up to $1,000,000 with 50 percent matching funds from other sources.
With a project budget of $1,141,932, the St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency matched the donation by 50 percent at $250,000.
Perkins described the future lodge as a community sensor for both children and the elderly. The space is also used to facilitate community initiatives including mentor programs and can be utilized as a funeral space for those families who are not members of a church.
“We could not be more pleased with this grant award,” said Jaime D. Perkins, the City of St. Augustine’s Community Redevelopment Agency Administrator. I am very excited to be part of such a meaningful and historic project.”
The lodge was built in the late 1940s. Perkins described the building as ground zero for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King, Dr. Robert B. Hayling the Freedom Riders who used the building to prepare for their marches and rallies. The Lodge was also used as a meeting place for national and local media, “regarding the efforts of the 1964 Civil Rights Movement.”
Perkins said that building has been open for small events for members only due to the buildings state of disrepair. Because of damages sustained from hurricanes Matthew and Irma, members were not comfortable hosting community events.
According to Perkins, the project should be completed within 18 months although state’s grant guidelines allows for two years.