ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – St. Augustine city staff are proposing permanent architectural lighting for the iconic Bridge of Lions — a project timed to honor the bridge’s upcoming 100th anniversary.
At the request of Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, city staff have been exploring lighting options designed to highlight the bridge’s historic character. The proposal is expected to go before the City Commission at its Aug. 24 meeting.
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A landmark with deep roots
The Bridge of Lions first opened in 1927, with the inaugural automobile crossing on Feb. 26 of that year. Later that same year, marble lion statues — a gift from Dr. Andrew Anderson — were installed, giving the bridge its now-iconic name. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and remains one of the city’s most recognized landmarks.
What the lighting would look like
The proposed design features warm white accent lighting beneath the bridge and along its columns to enhance the structure’s architectural character.
According to the staff report, the lighting was carefully designed to complement the bridge’s historic nature while minimizing physical changes. Solid cast brass fixtures would be mounted without penetrating the bridge’s historic fabric.
A project years in the making
The city first explored architectural lighting for the Bridge of Lions more than a decade ago, conducting field demonstrations of several concepts on the structure.
Building on that earlier work, the city contracted with Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc. to prepare conceptual renderings of a refined lighting design.
What comes next
City staff are asking the Commission to review the proposed concepts and provide direction on a preferred design so the project can advance into the design phase.
Once the Commission provides direction and authorization, the selected concept will be presented to the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) for review and approval. Coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), including permitting, will follow.