Hastings community updates: Smithsonian exhibit, library opening and festival plans recounted at public comment

During the public‑comment portion, a community member who was later identified by staff as Sally O'Hara described several local updates from Hastings. She said a Smithsonian exhibit is on display in the Hastings Nutrition Shop and will rotate through the county over the coming years. O'Hara invited board members and the public to upcoming events, including the cabbage potato festival and related programming, and encouraged residents to visit the exhibit.

O'Hara said the Hastings library construction is expected to finish at the end of May with a public opening in July (she cited July 1 as the tentative date) and that the First Coast Technical Center build‑out is on track for completion by the end of December with operations beginning in January. She also noted the venue's recently completed renovation and the Juniper Market schedule for community vendors.

Staff confirmed the speaker as Sally O'Hara and thanked her for the updates; no board action was taken, but members asked staff to share event details and consider promotion during Preservation Month.