St. Joe Big Box development comes to SoWal

[Neocrete]

St Joe has unveiled it's conceptual PUD master plan for 183.5 acres on hwy 98, beginning at the intersection of 30-A and continuing west past W. Hewett Rd. Get this... the plan not only includes a massive 80,000 sq. ft. big box, but 5 more in the range of 25,000 to 45,000 sq. ft. Here's the basic breakdown:
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOX store.
Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility.
Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10' setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant.
Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy.
Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft.
Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.

Now as I sit on my deck at night, instead of dark skys and stars I'll see 4 story apartment bldgs and the loading docks for big box stores. Increased traffic, noise and pollution, along with decreased property value in the immediate area, is how we will benefit. I completely understand and agree that St Joe has the right to develop their property however they also have a responsibility to the residents of this community, to exercise restraint. My neighbor will be within 20 feet of this project.

This matter is set to go before the county commisioners on August 25th.

After 20 years of living in this great area, I never dreamed we would allow Santa Rosa Beach to become Panama City or Destin.

 

[seagrovegirl]

I agree , according to your post, it seems to be a bit much and I wouldn't want it for a neighbor either!!!! I love your porch!

 

[sunspotbaby]

Oh dear God NOOOOO! Neocrete, I know where you live. I live a few blocks away. One of the things I love most is sitting outside and being able to see the stars.

Is there anything we can do to stop this insane amount of crap stores and asphalt?? Isn't there some endangered species around ?? FTLOG, I hate hearing this.

let me know what we can do...if anything.

 

[austin101]

Company History:
Lowe's Companies, Inc., is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States (trailing Home Depot Inc.), holding about six percent of the $140 billion home improvement market. More than 400 Lowe's stores in 24 states--mainly in the Midwest and Southeast--serve the do-it-yourself home improvement, home decor, home repair, and home construction markets. Primarily located in small and medium-sized markets, Lowe's stores average more than 75,000 square feet; this average is growing, however, as the company now typically builds 100,000-square-foot units in smaller markets and 114,000-square-foot units in larger markets.

 

[dmarie]

I guess this was just a matter of time. I wouldn't want this as my neighbor either. Makes me embrace little ole Historic Pt. Washington that much more.

 

[Here4Good]

This is interesting. I would not have dreamed that they would be launching this right now, between the general economy and their own financials.

Does anyone know, if they get the PUD approved, how long they can wait before they have to break ground? Are they perhaps going for the approval now because they think that the commission will be a little "soft" during this economic period?

Interesting indeed. I keep waiting for the stores to start disappearing from Grand Boulevard like little bubbles bursting....pop! pop! pop!

 

[rapunzel]

How is/was this parcel zoned?

This is precisely why we need transect-based planning. There should be a soft, staged transition between residential and large scale commercial.

And the night sky -- how can the leadership/TDC not see that the dark sky with the Milky Way visible is one of our great assets as a destination?

 

[aggieb]

buh bye sowal.

 

[Kurt]

It has always been inevitable that 98 from 331 to Destin would all pretty much look the same some day (except for Topsail). As for timing, this is the time to start projects that will build out over the next 20 years, maybe not tomorrow.

The residential and commercial property between 331 and Inlet Beach will be in high demand.

 

[Neocrete]

Thanks for everyone's comments and concern and Here4Good you are exactly right. The overall mood of the planning commision was very positive about the project. Their only exceptions were parking, which St. Joe contends should be reduced because this will be a "walking community" with seniors, and no proposed turns lanes into the development off east or west Hewett Rd. (Whens the last time you saw elderly pedestrian traffic through the shopping center with Best Buy and Petsmart in Destin?). Quite frankly, I didnt stay to hear the planning commission give their approval. I needed fresh air.

It has been proven time and time again that big box stores hurt local economies. They pay lower wages and send profits out of state. The incresed need for municipal services almost cancels the tax benefit in the long run, not to mention what this will do for our local small retailers who have worked their butt off surviving our fickle economy.

All this being said, I dont have a problem with St. Joe developing this property, just not with this denisty and with larger buffers to the residents who live in this area.