First, it was notable that opponents of the project were heard first. In football terms, the kicking team was downfield ready to pounce before the ball was in the air.

The St. Augustine City Commission held a Monday afternoon hearing, and on its agenda was a presentation from EpiCenter Alliance, “a public/private partnership” to bring a new performing arts center to St. Augustine by leasing city-owned land at the northwest corner of the Mizell Rd / SR 312 intersection. The proposal contained plans for an auditorium, indoor and outdoor theatres, gift shop and a rooftop restaurant and jazz club

The proposed site sits on Marsh Creek’s doorstep, close enough for its proponents to rosily envision patrons arriving on foot, bicycle or golf cart, and opponents raising the specter of nightmarish traffic jams. Either way, Marsh Creek and other nearby Anastasia Island communities like the Commodores’ Club had a significant stake in the commission’s decision, even though they lie outside the St. Augustine City limits.

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As the 5pm hearing got underway, a parade of nearby homeowners, already alerted to the impending hearing by a story in the St. Augustine Record, lined up to voice their disapproval. They were matched by a slightly smaller contingent of performing arts supporters calling for the city to approve the project and lease its land to the group. One side lobbed volley upon volley of traffic and environmental grenades, the other appealed to civic pride and to a longstanding need for a permanent home St. Augustine’s fine arts.

“Mismatched to the area, incompatible, too much traffic, look elsewhere”, was the first, and perhaps most succinct barrage from the opposition side.

“There are between 40,000 to 80,000 cars and 22,000 residents in Marsh Creek, according to Google”, said the next opponent who, after perhaps one of the biggest stretches in local history, nevertheless confidently segued onto more solid terrain with a warning against construction of an arts center along “a two-lane highway leading to the worst intersection (SR 312 and US1) in the county”. That distinction might have stretched to include the entire state.

Ken Lopez uttered the summary anthem of local opposition, declaring “Not In My Backyard”.

So did Verna Brown, another self-declared NIMBYist, who spoke the risk to wildlife, cougars, and deer before rendering her verdict: “inappropriate”.

Elizabeth Smith, who lives “less than a football field away” from the proposed development, called it, “ill advised”.

And Bob Butler feared “tremendous traffic on an island that is only so big”.

In the middle, a rare place these days in America, there were those who opposed the location but supported the project itself, and urged the choice of a new venue somewhere else.

Coming out to back the multi-million-dollar project was an array of local performing arts supporters, who voiced a common complaint that regionally acclaimed St. Augustine arts groups are forced into the humble position of practicing and performing in churches and school auditoriums, and not in a professional arts center.

One of them was Marsh Creek resident and Epicenter Board member, Nancy Perry, who told commissioners that “we need a center” and urged them to approve the land lease and “make it happen”.

Michael Mann, vice president of the St. Augustine Concert Band, which performs around the county but can only rehearse at a middle school in World Golf Village, declared that “there is a serious need for a rehearsal and performing venue to showcase local talent” in St. Johns County.

Sarah Cottingham Page, a member of the St. Augustine Orchestra, complained that her ensemble “has rehearsed in five schools, performed in 14 locations, and is currently in the Lightner Museum swimming pool. We need a permanent home”.

In the end, perhaps attuned to the voices of opposition arrayed in the opening minutes of the commission hearing, the proposal was turned down 5-0.

Commission Barbara Blonder opposed “the use of any city property” for the project.

Mayor Tracy Upchurch described the Performing Arts Center “a really interesting idea” but called it “premature”, while noting that many of those speaking in opposition were not city residents.

Commissioner Roxanne Horvath urged the developers to find a property in the booming northwest corner of St. Johns County, declaring “we’re already really tired of people downtown” after the holiday season.

Commissioner John Valdes said the opposition was “expected”, and called for more studies.

“I don’t advocate any more wasteful studies”, declared Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Klein, attempting the soften the rejection by signalling the unlikelihood of a future reprieve.

Mayor Upchurch then directed city staff to review the Mizell Rd / SR 312 land for other potential leasing alternatives, including affordable housing.