stjohnsflorida

Development, to construct the first two phases of the project. Phase 1 is anticipated to open with 700,000 square feet of retail, anchored by a Wal-Mart Super Center.Home Depot will open in mid-2018, and phase 2 is slated to open in 2020. The County approved a Tax increment Financ- ing Infrastructure Agreement that provides for a reimbursement to the developer for roads to be constructedwithin the development.It is per- formance-based so developers will be reimbursed once development occurs on the tax rolls.It is also first-come,first-serve,so it encourages developers to get in early so theyhave first opportunity to receive the reimbursement dollars.“We really think it’s going to change the face of the county,”says Glasgow.“It will provide a great taxboon to the county,as well as provide numerous job opportunities.” Another master plan development that is shov- el ready is Twin Creeks,which just broke ground this past April. It’s a 1,000-plus-acre,mixed-use project featuring over two million square feet of retail, commercial, office, and industrial uses, along with 3,000 residential units.Twin Creeks will also feature a unique, 14-acre Crystal Lagoons amenity ringed by sandy beaches and mixed-use developments for retail shops and residents in an area they recently named Beachwalk.“It will be the largest lagoon in Florida,”Glasgow says. “They’re building them all over the world to pro- vide amenities into certain residential and com- mercial developments. Even though we are along the water, theAtlantic,the St.Johns River,and the 904- 334- 0066w Phone: 904-334-0066 Fax: 904-257-2004 P.O. Box 551097 | Jacksonville, FL 32255 Prequalified with the FDOT and JEA CERTIFIED UNDERGROUND UTILITY AND CIVIL CONTRACTORS OUR FOCUS IS QUALITY OF WORK AND SAFETY. WE BELIEVE IN OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND ARE PROUD TO WORK ALONG SIDE SOME OF THE BEST IN OUR INDUSTRY. SPECIALIZING IN n Underground utilities n Storm drainage n Earthwork n Concrete work n Roadway construction ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA IntercoastalWaterway,they still felt theywanted to bring a uniquewater amenity to their community.” The lagoon is scheduled to open this fall. But perhaps themost significant economicdevel- opment project completed in the county is Northrop Grumman’sAircraft Integration Center of Excellence. The first phase of the $80million,361,000 square foot facility is complete and the second phase is un- derway,whichwill ultimatelyhouse 1,400 employ- ees,including 400 new,high-wagemanufacturing jobs.“We’re veryproud of Northrop Grumman,our largest manufacturer and employer,”says Glasgow. “That was an existing business expansion project.” “We’ve had great success in economicdevel- opment since the programstarted almost six years ago,”Glasgowdeclares.“I thinkwe provided some creative approaches to thewaywe do eco- nomicdevelopment,here.We’ve incorporated flex- ibility into our programandwe’re known for being very responsive and that’s important to us. From real estate brokers, to developers, to business peo- ple, everybody is really bullish on St. Johns County.” PREFERRED VENDORS n Ardurra Group, LLC www.ardurragroup.com n J.D. Hinson Company jdhinsoncompany@gmail.com n U.S. Water Services Corporation www.uswatercorp.com n Besch and Smith Civil Group, Inc. www.beschandsmith.com Besch and Smith Civil Group, Inc. is a certified underground utility contractor providing civil and site construction services in the Northeast Florida area. Construction services include clearing and grubbing, earthwork, lot grading and building pads, underground utilities, storm drainage, commercial site work, roadway construction, parking lots, school sites, recreational parks and athletic field construction, roadway rehabilitation, and minor site work repairs. Besch and Smith was founded by Nicole E Besch and Edward D. Smith. Combined they offer over 50 years of experience in the construction industry. www.BeschandSmith.com A WBE Business 904-260-6393