Businesses plan for the future in Nocatee

Last modified 1/2/2008 - 7:18 am

Originally created 010208

As the first homeowners start moving in, stores will be opening in mid-2009.
By CHRISTINA ABEL, Shorelines

It's a new year and commercial and retail developers have resolutions planned for the Nocatee development.

As the first homeowners start moving into the massive planned community southwest of Ponte Vedra Beach that will eventually have 30,000 residents, commercial services are not far behind.
Regency Centers Corp. of Jacksonville bought 24 acres in Nocatee for a mix of grocery stores, restaurants, banks and other businesses. The construction will begin this year and stores will start to open in mid-2009.

Richard Ray, a partner with the Parc Group, developers of Nocatee, said the partnership with Regency is important.

"We have been working for over a year on the planning and design of Nocatee's Town Center," Ray said. "We are confident that Regency Centers will create a unique environment for shopping and entertainment in the heart of Nocatee."

The Nocatee development covers about 14,000 acres in northeast St. Johns County and southeast Duval County. About 11,000 acres of land will be maintained as parks, green trails and preserves. The rest of the land is being built into seven residential neighborhoods and a town center.