5 Major Developments Rising Along SR 9B/I-795
Stretching into northern St. Johns County, in three years, Jacksonville's fourth interstate highway will open to traffic, spurring additional development in what is already one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Here's a look at five major developments that will benefit from the accessibility this highway will offer.
1. Davis/9B Parcel
The first phase of SR 9B opened a few months ago and a major project connected to this stretch of highway is already underway. The PARC Group is constructing and extension of R.G. Skinner Parkway and building a new interchange on SR 9B. Making 839-acres accessible, this project allows for the development of two single-family residential subdivisions. Eventually, the roadway will serve as much as 800,000-square feet of warehouse space, 1,500 single family residential units, 1,600 multi family residential units, 350 hotel rooms, a 10-acre park, 320,000 square feet of office space and 1,070,000 square feet of commercial uses.
2. Gate Petroleum/Bayard Retail Center
Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum Co. recently acquired 37.6-acres along Philips Highway, just south of SR 9B. The company plans to build a 6,620-square-foot store and 28 fueling stations, along with a 1,421-square-foot car wash, on almost 4.1 acres. The remaining land will be set aside as outparcels for additional commercial users.
3. Flagler Center
Originally developed in the late 1990s, Flagler Center is poised to greatly benefit from the completion of SR 9B. When phase 2 opens, Flagler Center will have its own off-ramp from the highway. Anchored by Baptist Medical Center South and Citicorp, the business park currently contains more than 1.4 million square feet of office and industrial space. At the time it was acquired by NYC-based Investcorp International Realty in 2014, it was entitled to accommodate another 2.4 million square feet of office space, 150,000 square feet of retail, 410 multifamily units and 130 hotel rooms. New projects already underway in 2015 include a massive industrial facility for Jacksonville-based toy importer Ja-Ru Inc.
Ja-Ru Inc.'s new headquarters and warehouse under construction at Flagler Center.
4. Bartram Park
Covering 3,928-acres and permitted for 9,700 residential units, 1.3 million-square feet of commericial, 1.7 million-square feet of office and 300 hotel room, Bartram Park is already one of the largest developments on the Duval County/St. Johns County borderline. The extension of SR 9B into St. Johns County will greatly enhance the development potential of Bartram Park, along the Racetrack Road corridor. One major project already underway is Mattamy Homes' Bartram Park Preserve. When complete, this neighborhood will add nearly 600 single family detached homes to Bartram Park.
5. Durbin Creek National, LLC. (Bass Pro Shops)
At maximum, Gate Petroleum's 1,624-acre Durbin Creek National project is expected to result in 2.8 million square feet of office space, 2.3 million square feet of entertainment and retail space, 350 hotel rooms and 999 multi-family residential units over a 20-year development period. Bass Pro Shops is one major tenant already announced for this development. The national chain plans to open a 104,000-square-foot Outdoor World west of I-95, SR 9B on 40 acres, south of Race Track Road. It will include a 14-acre lake that would be managed for trophy bass and youth and community events.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com