Nocatee Town Center scheduled to open next monthBack to News

Despite a bobbling real estate market and other economic challenges, Nocatee developers said they're nearing completion of Nocatee Town Center, a hub for business, shopping and cultural activities west of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Phase one of the project is expected to be completed in mid-February.

There will be 70,000 square feet of leased space, including 54,000 square feet for a Publix supermarket, the anchor store. That will be the largest Publix in Northeast Florida, officials said.

Roughly half of the remaining 16,000 square feet of space - five of eight spaces - has been leased to service businesses. Discussions are under way for the remaining space. The center is off Crosswater Parkway in the center of Nocatee.

"Our objective is to create a Town Center in Nocatee that blends interesting and inviting landscapes, puts ample parking within easy reach of shops and offices and provides people places for enjoyment," said Rick Ray, managing partner with the PARC Group, developers of the Nocatee complex, a vast, evolving residential and commercial center that spans portions of Duval and St. Johns counties.

Former St. Johns County Commissioner Mary Kohnke, who voted for the massive Nocatee development in 2001, said developers should be applauded for fulfilling their obligations to the county and its residents.

"In this economy, I think it's great," said Kohnke, a Palm Valley resident. "They are pouring money into their infrastructure. A lot of developers are doing nothing, but they are doing what they said they would do and they haven't stopped moving forward with their infrastructure. I'm delighted and amazed."

When the Town Center is complete, it will have about 1 million square feet of retail space and up to 4 million square feet of office space. Other space will be designated as the area's population grows and needs arise.

"As the Nocatee population grows, progress will be made in carefully planned stages," Ray said.

Jacksonville-based Regency Centers is constructing and leasing the 21-acre first phase of the retail center.

The Town Center will serve residents from Nocatee and the surrounding areas, and will be a new regional employment center, Ray said.

"Our residents have watched the progress firsthand, and we believe that new home-buyers will take advantage of Nocatee's location, amenities and conveniences in 2010."

The opening of the center is right on schedule, Kohnke said.

"They did all this before they got a million people there," she said. "How can you complain? I'm sure they would have loved to wait until they had enough people. They have been more than gracious to the community."