As previously discussed, “St. Johns Harbour” was permitted in 1986 with no specific development concept in mind other than lots of development rights on lots of acres. From 1986 until 1991, the project evolved into a resort oriented community anchored by the proposed PGA TOUR Hall of Fame. The PGA TOUR Hall of Fame was conceived by the then Commissioner of the PGA TOUR – Mr. Deane Beman. In 1990, Deane decided it was time for the TOUR to have its own Hall of Fame. The PGA of America had its Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, NC. With the TOUR’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., Deane decided the TOUR’s Hall of Fame facility needed to be located somewhere in the First Coast area (preferably south of Jacksonville, FL). The reasoning was quite simple: 1) The proximity to PGA TOUR headquarters would facilitate project management. 2) Being south of Jacksonville on I-95 would capture all of the I-95/I-10/I-295 tourist traffic destined for South Florida. 3) Locating in the city of Jacksonville would provide an opportunity to solicit governmental financial support due to the project’s anticipated impact on local tourism.

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Despite taking over two (2) years to complete and costing $3.5 million, the Modification of Development Approvals and Environmental Permitting process experience was not that bad. Involved in the process were St. Johns County (SJC), Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council (NEFRPC) and the State of Florida – Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The DCA also coordinates with other state agencies such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

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Jan
 
15
 

Nease Graduate Jay Owen Builds Successful Web Development & Design Firm

From its headquarters in World Golf Village, Design Extensions has attracted clients throughout North America who seek the firm’s expertise in web design, online marketing and graphic design.  Design Extensions was founded in 1999 by Jay Owen and today its team of five create websites, design logos, produce brochures, plan pay-per-click and other digital campaigns, among other marketing activities for a wide range of clients.  We recently talked with Jay Owen to learn more about his business.

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As previously indicated, there were 1,300 acres of land that had been included in the project approval process, but not acquired by the investors. Since almost 100% of the property to be acquired was adjoining the proposed interchange, the land acquisitions required for development also included  acreage to construct the new interchange. A clover-leaf design interchange needs approximately 100 acres to be constructed and would encompass 80± acres upon completion. Once the ownerships were determined and title issues identified, the acquisition effort began. All of the land owners were well aware of the “increased” value of their property as permitted. It is clearly an understatement to say that it was unfortunate that the land was not put under contract prior to being permitted. Previously discussed verbal understandings of value didn’t mean much once the permits were issued. As such, the negotiations were extremely difficult. Fortunately many of the landowners had substantial additional acreage in proximity to the required acquisition acreage. Therefore, it was clearly in their best interest to see the project built for their future land values. Acreage acquisitions were as small as 7.1 acres up to over 1,000 acres.

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Dec
 
27

Welcome Home to GroveWood

Posted by: Peyton Davidson in Neighborhoods, Videos
 

GroveWood has a sense of arrival that feels like a warm hug for residents of this King & Bear community in World Golf Village. Traveling the serene four miles from the King & Bear entrance to the “Welcome to GroveWood” sign is the perfect way to relax after a long day at work. As a GroveWood resident myself, I know first hand that as you take in the community’s natural beauty, you find yourself unwinding and feeling calm and centered.  Come along with me and Davidson Realty’s new construction expert, Jennifer Todd, as we explore the family-friendly streets and the buzz of new home construction in GroveWood.

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Dec
 
19
 

You would be hard pressed to find a more passionate education advocate than Heritage Landing resident Debbie Adams. As a long-time teacher and mother, she utilizes her passion to dedicate her time to several organizations with one common focus: kids. Most recently, she agreed to serve on the Board of Davidson Cares, Davidson Realty’s corporate giving program dedicated to supporting local schools – specifically Wards Creek Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Palencia Elementary, and Pacetti Bay Middle School.

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A month after our meeting in New York we met with the investors in Memphis to present our findings and recommendations. Since our previous meeting, we had completed an extensive review of the following project files:

  1. Land ownership maps for the approved project acreage not previously contracted for or purchased by the investors. Included correspondence files covering previously held discussions between the investors and the land owners.
  2. Application for Development Approval (ADA)
  3. Final Development Order for the Development of Regional Impact (DRI)
  4. Interchange Justification Report
  5. Environmental Impact Report prepared by the project environmental consultants

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The newly enhanced www.WorldGolfRealEstate.com website features many upgrades, including better navigation and an updated look-and-feel to promote our award-winning master planned golf community. The site boasts an advanced property search and up-to-date listing of featured homes, as well as easy-to-find information about community businesses, local amenities and services, schools, and events via an online blog and community calendar.

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This month we are focusing on a very special neighborhood in World Golf Village’s King & Bear community, WildWood! Davidson Realty agent Jennifer Todd joins us as we tour the neighborhood and highlight some of its best features like the beautiful forested conservation land surrounding the homesites and its quiet, family-friendly cul-de-sacs.

WildWood is the only neighborhood inside the King & Bear that is nestled within the largest preservation area in the community (28.1 acres). As you enter WildWood, the view before you is a 1,100’ long vista through a park, over a lake to the backdrop of conservation where there are frequent sightings of wild turkey and native deer.

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Conceptually, the St. Johns’ Harbour project, as approved had, few attributes. Fortunately, the project did have significant exposure to I-95 and the granted approvals preceded the implementation of the 1985 Growth Management Act/Concurrency in St. Johns County, which implied the project would be vested from this yet to be implemented law. Finding a way to capitalize on these two project “attributes” was going to be the key to meeting the investor’s goals and objectives.

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