Nine years after the Matanzas Innlet Restaurant in St. Augustine was demolished in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, a pre-application was filed Sept. 12 with St. Johns County to begin the permitting process to rebuild it.
The waterfront restaurant at 8805 A1A South, south of Crescent Beach, was razed in 2017 after being severely damaged by the hurricane.
The pre-application states that plans call for reconstruction of the restaurant, which was operated by Jerry Galasso for 25 years before the storm. County documents identify Galasso as the owner of the property and the applicant as Jed Galasso, his son.
The document does not list the proposed square footage of the new restaurant, nor does it include details of design or the name of a contractor or architect.
Contacted by a reporter, Jed Galasso said he preferred to withhold comment until the permitting process is further along.
The original restaurant featured a separate dining room and bar. The establishment was decorated with beer signs, aquatic-themed wall hangings and comical art collected over the years. There was a gazebo that featured live music and an adjoining area for dancing. The establishment offered outdoor dining along the water.