ST. JOHNS COUNTY
A year and a half after plans for the sporting goods retailer were announced, the 100,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor world in St. Augustine opened Nov. 20.
The grand opening drew a large crowd, with some visitors parking in nearby retail lots.
The store is at 355 World Commerce Parkway, south of Buc-ee’s and Costco, and west of Interstate 95 at the International Golf Parkway exit.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
The St. Johns County Commission approved amended plans Nov. 5 for the Beachwalk Compass by Margaritaville Hotel, announced in August 2022.
The revisions increase the hotel room limit from 150 to 200, including 68 short-term stay cottages with up to five bedrooms. A five-story boutique hotel with 132 rooms is planned on the southwest end of Beachwalk’s Crystal Lagoon.
Each cottage is defined as a hotel room. Earlier plans called for cottages with up to six bedrooms.
Construction is nearing completion on the nearly 510,000-square-foot industrial center at the IGP 95/Logistics Park in St. Augustine. Completion is expected by mid-December.
The 43-acre site at the World Commerce Center includes three warehouses near a proposed Walmart Supercenter off Interstate 95, about 2.3 miles southwest of Buc-ee’s, Costco, and Bass Pro Shops.
St. Johns County issued six permits May 31 for interior build-out totaling 14,154 square feet. Tenant information remains confidential.
Construction is progressing on the BJ’s Wholesale Club in the Beachwalk community in St. Johns County.
Announced April 30, the store is east of Florida 210 and north of the Cantina Louie Mexican restaurant.
The county issued a building permit May 16. Plans include 12 gas pumps with 24 fueling positions.
A membership center opened on-site Sept. 13, and the county’s Planning and Zoning Agency approved exterior signage Nov. 7.
Fields Auto Group of Orlando is moving forward with a Mercedes-Benz service center at the World Commerce Center in St. Augustine.
The Northfield, Illinois-based luxury auto group was issued a building permit Dec. 2 at a project cost of about $7.1 million.
The center will focus on Mercedes-Benz service at 405 World Commerce Way, supporting an expanding market for luxury brands.
CLAY COUNTY
Work continues on global roofing manufacturer IKO Industries Ltd.’s manufacturing facility in Clay County.
Representaives from Clay County’s Economic Development Corporation and the Clay County Board of County Commissioners broke ground in March on the $270 million, 300,000-square-foot plant to make residential roofing products.
The manufacturing facility is on 80 acres east of U.S. 301, at County Road 218, about 10 miles south of Interstate 10.
IKO said it will create about 100 jobs. The company said it will begin operating in mid-2025.
The first of three production lines will manufacture shingles.
IKO Corporate Communications Manager Derek Fee said the project will have an estimated economic impact of about $1.3 billion on Clay County.
“It’s the first time we’ve built down here,” Fee said. “It will support a growth market for us.”
IKO, founded in 1954, is headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
A grocery-anchored shopping center is planned in Lake Asbury.
The 12.16-acre project would also include commercial retail, offices and a public park. Plans call for 243 parking spaces.
The proposed 51,390-square-foot grocery store is similar in size to a Publix supermarket.
The land is owned by Newberry-based AY Ventures Inc. Jacksonville-based England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer.
Thomas Yonge of AY Ventures said a grocery store has not been identified and that the process of marketing to tenants is in its early stage.
The Henley Grocery Center would border Henley Road and Verbena Parkway, south of Florida 23, also known as the First Coast Expressway. It is adjacent to 136 acres of undeveloped land owned by Black Sound Development Company LLC. According to Sunbiz.com, Black Sound’s leadership is the same as AY Ventures.