ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Another St. Johns County home that is in danger of falling into the ocean is deemed unsafe. But the new homeowners say it won’t be for long.
The home on A1A right next to the infamous “blue house,” which was torn down last month, is still accessible and livable at the owner’s discretion but St. Johns County issued an unsafe structure notice on July 26.
MORE | Infamous ‘blue house’ in Vilano Beach finally torn down
The foundation of the four-bedroom home, whose design is similar to that of the “blue house,” has been significantly eroded away which has left damage all around the home.
County property records show the property at 3550 Coastal Highway was sold on Aug. 24 for $750,000.
Homeowners Shawn and Nicole Schwark now have plans to rebuild the foundation of the home and are looking at building a seawall.
Shawn said the couple had been looking to buy along the coast for the last five years after falling in love with St. Augustine. They bought the home sight unseen all the way from South Bend, Indiana.
An engineering firm was out at the property on Monday taking soil samples and Shawn said he’s getting the permits necessary to make the home safe to live in again.
“I want to fix it you know, like I say, it’s not happening quick enough for me. You know, it’s gonna cost me about 300 grand to fix that wall and I’m ready to spend it,” he said.
Nearby neighbors Jodi and Jessica Davis said when storms come in the oceanfront homes get surrounded by water.
“Lived in the area since 1992. So we’ve seen these storms come and go, and the sand dunes come and go, come and go. Houses come and go,” they said.
Seeing beach erosion is nothing new but, Jodi said the ocean is now closer than it’s ever been to the road.
St. Johns County officials say the Schwarks are working with the Department of Environmental Protection and with the county to find solutions.
The owners have plans to go before the planning and zoning adjustment board but no date has been set.