GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Clay County residents are sounding off after a major land deal involving one of Green Cove Springs’ biggest developments.
Last week, Fort Lauderdale-based BTI Partners purchased thousands of acres. It’s part of a major development half the size of Nocatee.
Roughly 6,500 acres in total for two BTI Partners developments. Nocatee is roughly 14,000 acres.
This is only one of several massive developments going into greater Green Cove Springs with the completion of the First Coast Expressway.
The area is in the process of building new schools, and the county opened a new fire station to help handle the growth.
Many Clay County residents took to Facebook to oppose the move:
“No one in Clay wants this (except the politicians),” one commenter said.
“Pro tip: build the roads first!! Also, a school & firehouse,” wrote another.
“They’re running out of woods to destroy in St. John’s so they’re going to jump over to Clay County now,” a third said.
James Dean just moved to Clay County a few months ago and he isn’t holding onto what Clay used to be. He said it’s a good thing that homes are being built in the area.
“It’s awesome I do believe...job rates are up so I guess as long as they don’t overfill,” Dean said.
A woman from St. Johns County said that both counties are growing similarly.
“I liked [St. Johns County], but you had to plan. You couldn’t drive to town every day,” Sharon said.
News4JAX has requested a comment from Clay County on this issue and they sent us this statement:
“The Clay County Board of County Commissioners continues to explore avenues to expand infrastructure, programs, and services to meet the growing community’s needs. New and relocated fire stations, seven major road projects, and a new library are just some of the ways the County is preparing for this growth.”