HAVING A HEAT WAVE

Summer is sizzling – both weather-wise and development-wise. Things are heating-up, and we all know that not everyone takes it with the same resolve or with the same long-term outlook that things are destined to change, usually for the better.

The pace and character of new development is a case in point.

A common reaction is to take the not-in-my-backyard approach to news about coming development – when one could easily and most assuredly consider the news to be about “coming attractions”, i.e., positives that strengthen the values of our area and neighborhoods.

There are numerous, new neighborhoods in the works – from south Duval County to south St. Augustine. Many are already under development with their initial phases. Others are in rapid roll-out or on the cusp of ground-breaking.

Venerable, notable and promising names are a part of the news: World Golf Village (w/ its new neighborhoods TrailMark and Parkland Preserve), Palencia and North Palencia, Nocatee, Rivertown, Markland, Bannon Lakes, Gran Lake, Windward Ranch, Arbor Mill, Shearwater, Julington Lakes, Creekside and Beacon Lake, among many others. The innovative Beachwalk community was launched around a 14 acre crystal-lagoon and Silverleaf is underway with over $100 million dollars of private investment.

Although the numbers may boggle (30,000 to 50,000 new homes on the horizon) – the near and long-term options and opportunities are impressive. The area already has the State’s most superlative public education facilities that continue to expand and keep pace with the growing population. St. Johns County continues to be rated the healthiest county in Florida. The area has a wonderful balance between built-environments and preserved lands – bookended by the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River and threaded with massive, interconnected natural greenbelts for wildlife and water resource conservation.

There are billions of dollars of infrastructure projects underway including new high-capacity roads, high-flow express lanes, regional beltways, potable water distribution systems, wastewater purification, containment and re-use improvements, coastal and flood-zone protections and safeguards and power and telecommunication system expansions.

Our region’s allure has beckoned for centuries. It became widely-recognized in the 1800’s as a naturally-attractive place by the paddle-wheeled and train-liveried travelers in search of bucolic climes. The winter of 1894/95 was devastatingly cold, sending a shivering signal to winter tourists to “look south”. Miami’s Julia Tuttle was a marketing genius. She sent Henry Flagler a box of orange blossoms that winter to entice him to run his railroad all the way down from Jacksonville/St. Augustine. That powerful gesture opened up the State and drew tremendous interests to central and south Florida for the next 100 years.

Through it all, our region maintained its original character and vibe – proving today its own brand of beauty. Coupled with the proximity to Jacksonville’s downtown and metropolitan ever-expanding cultural, arts, sports and entertainment amenities, our area is destined to become one of America’s most attractive communities.

Contact us to gain a more broad understanding of our place – so that we may help you make the best choice for you and your family or business.