It s just as crazy as I predicted it would be. And it s getting worse every day, he said. Weeks said residents, merchants and visitors have complained to him. And the issue isn t as simple as street performers vs. merchants. This is a very sensitive subject in a very unique environment, he said.
Nothing is black and white.
The biggest issue, he said, is the state preservation and Spanish Quarter funds. Although the city heads up its preservation efforts, Weeks said St. Augustine relies on grant money from the state for the historic district. Weeks said he is concerned that the wrong atmosphere downtown would jeopardize the grant money. That, he said, is a very scary possibility. Commissioner Susan Burk said she walks St. George Street frequently and doesn t see any problems or a a need for an ordinance.