Commissioner Krista Joseph and County Administrator Joy Andrews Participate in Council on Aging Groundbreaking
- 20 February 2025
- Category: SJC News District 4
- Tags: 2025
St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their Shelter and Shade capital improvement project on Feb. 20, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at COA headquarters at 180 Marine Street in St. Augustine, Florida. St. Johns County Board of County Commissioner Krista Joseph, District 4 and County Administrator Joy Andrews attended the ceremony.
The $1.28 million phase one of COA’s Shelter and Shade project will raise the elevation of the building entrance at 180 Marine Street and construct a covered portico and other improvements to provide shelter from the elements and ease of access for senior participants. The facility is home to COA’s Coastal Community Senior Center, the Sunshine Center, COA’s therapeutic adult daycare center, and COA administrative offices.
In November 2024, COA announced receipt of a grant of $545,000 from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida that provided the balance of funds necessary to begin construction of phase one of the project.
“We are very excited to break ground on this project to create more ease, more comfort, and improved quality of life for seniors in our community,” COA Executive Director Becky Yanni said. “We cannot thank Delores Barr Weaver and all of our donors enough for their generosity in making these improvements possible. We look forward to honoring our donors and partners in this project at the ceremony.”
St. Augustine’s A. D. Davis Construction will oversee the improvements, designed by Open City Architecture and Marquis, Latimer + Halback, Inc. In 2009, A. D. Davis Construction built River House, COA’s lifelong learning center and events venue located at 179 Marine Street, directly across from COA headquarters.
Phase two of the Shelter and Shade project will refinish and screen the outdoor deck for Sunshine Center adult daycare participants, so they may sit outside in the shade year-round and enjoy nature therapy in COA’s garden. Landscaping and additional outdoor seating will also be installed, so that participants walking to and from the center may sit, rest comfortably, and relax.
To contribute to phase two of the project, please contact COA Development Manager Amy Robinson at (904) 209-3700 or arobinson@coasjc.org. Donations may also be made online at www.coasjc.org/donate.
For more information on the comprehensive programs and services COA provides for older adults and caregivers in St. Johns County, please visit their website at www.coasjc.org, or call (904) 209-3700.
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