More details are emerging about eTown, this time in a box.
The PARC Group, which is developing the project in South Jacksonville along Interstate 295 and Florida 9B, is delivering packages around Jacksonville introducing the community.
Among the first facts is that while public records call it E-Town, it’s branded as eTown and its opening will be 2019.
Other than that, new details are few, but the focus is outlined:
“Sustainability that starts with us. Technology for your lifestyle. Convenience beyond location. Connected community.”
The “good-e” box contains a plant, a portable mobile Power Bank, a Popsockets mobile phone accessory and a cake pop. The box and its contents are branded with a blue square containing a lowercase white “e.”
An information card invites people to visit eTownJax.com and follow the development on social media at facebook.com/etownjax and on Twitter and Instagram @etownjax.
The website allows people to complete a form to receive eTown community and development updates and asks people to call (904) 992-9750 or email [email protected] for information.
Marketed as A PARC Community, eTown was created by The PARC Group, which is the developer of Nocatee.
The website states that eTown “offers a quality of life enhanced by thoughtful design focused on convenience, technology, and sustainability.”
The information card says that those three elements “enhance our modern way of life.”
Starting with “A New Standard of Living,” the website video features a lifestyle that includes technology, recreation, shopping and community interaction as well as a skyline view of Downtown Jacksonville.
The PARC Group continues to issue the statement it has offered since the project began taking shape, evident by the exit signs along I-295 that show “E-Town Parkway.”
“We are preparing preliminary plans and permits for the future eTown land, which will include, among other uses, single family and multi-family communities,” said the statement.
“The final master plan for eTown has not been finalized at this time. An announcement of the plan is expected in the upcoming months.”
The bulk of the land is east of Florida 9B and I-295, while there is some west of Florida 9B.
A St. Johns River Water Management District permit filing shows that the 1,478-acre mixed-use project will include commercial acreage with much of the developable property dedicated to residential use.
The Davis family owns the land, which The PARC Group is developing.
The website explains eTown’s community philosophy:
“Community isn’t just defined by where you live, it’s also made up of the people and interests you surround yourself with. Here, you will find a community full of opportunities to discover the people, places, and things you connect to.”
Its technology philosophy is:
“Technology brings with it new opportunities for embracing smart living. It is the pulse of our community, which allows you to be more efficient, connected, and flexible in how you choose to manage today’s fast-paced world.”
The convenience philosophy:
“Not only is it easy to get anywhere you need to go because of where we’re located, but our community amenities and design also make it just as easy to never leave. eTown is conveniently located between the St. Johns Town Center and Flagler Center on 9B (I-295) just minutes away from everything Jacksonville has to offer.”
It sums up the focus as “Unplug. Recharge. Connect.”
Regulatory agencies are reviewing plans for E-Town projects and two homebuilders bought land.
David Weekley Homes bought 111.28 acres for $6 million and plans 143 homes to be developed as a joint venture with ICI Homes. They expect models to be under construction before the end of the year.
Toll Brothers paid almost $4.9 million for property at the site. City records indicate that 113 to 115 homes are planned on 62 acres of a 133-acre site.
City records also show plans for a multifamily project and townhomes.
Roger O’Steen, chairman and founder of The PARC Group, said previously that several builders are working on preliminary plans and permits for neighborhoods within E-Town.
He said a master community plan is under development to include parks, amenities, electric-cart paths, walking trails, neighborhood shops, restaurants and job centers.
