A St. Johns County Cultural Resources Board vote will stop the demolition — for now. The motel owner can appeal the decision.
VILANO BEACH, Fla. — The Magic Beach Motel in Vilano Beach is open for customers. According to an online search, it is booked for all of July.
On Monday, the St. Johns County Cultural Resources Review Board convened to assess the future of the motel. The meeting was relocated to a larger venue to accommodate all attendees interested in watching and participating in the discussion.
The motel’s owner, Tejal Patel, is requesting authorization to demolish the 1951 motel. He claims the property, which he purchased for $3.8 million three years ago, faces ongoing maintenance problems. His representative informed the board on Monday that the motel incurred a loss of $1.7 million in the past year.
Rick Johnston – a developer — wants to buy the property and build condos on it. It’s next door to his Colonia condo project in Vilano Beach.
Most of the people at the meeting did not want the motel – deemed a culturally significant resource by the county – demolished.
Following extensive deliberation, the board concluded that the motel owner and developer failed to provide sufficient information regarding potential alternatives for the building. This decision halts the demolition request, at least temporarily, effectively marking a victory for those advocating for the motel to remain standing.
Cathy Aissen lives in Vilano Beach. She told First Coast News, “I was very happy with that decision. I just want something in Vilano of what it was.”
Vivian Browning has been the unofficial mayor of Vilano and a realtor. She supported the motel owner’s rights to sell and to have it knocked down for something new. She said 20-years ago Vilano was considered blighted and buildings were torn down to make way for things such as a much-desired grocery store.
“Nobody made a big deal,” she said.
Browning added, “I don’t know. It seems to me that people have grabbed on to this Magic Beach because they don’t want anything there.”
The motel owner and developer did not want to comment after the board’s vote.
They can appeal the board’s decisions. County officials say if the motel owner appeals, then the decision about the Magic Beach Motel demolition will go to the St. Johns County Commission.
