Could NW St. Johns County Become The Place To Be?

My Case For It

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547842

St. Johns, FL - So I've been thinking a lot about NW St. Johns County and its potential and we've all been chomping at the bit for the area to take off and I think that time is before us.  However, could it be even bigger than anticipated? I wonder out loud.
We already have a lot going for us in the area, as we all know and tout vociferously. Let me count some of the ways. We are located within a comfortable drive to one of the nicest beaches in the state (Ponte Vedra Beach and Mickler's Landing, not to mention those along A1A headed to St. Augustine). We are minutes from the fastest and most accessible thoroughfare in the state in I-95 and the biggest complaint (direct access) is being remedied as we speak. We have the best school district in the state if not bolstered by FCAT scores but anecdotally by parent and family participation at events. We have tons of green land to develop into whatever we want and need, from the St. Johns River to the coast. We have ample recreational opportunities from the Jaguars to Golf, from boating to sightseeing, from catching some rays to catching some fish... there's a ton to do. I havn't mentioned them all but we're already starting in a great spot.
Finally, Florida and St. Johns County has made it cost effective to be here. There's no state income tax so people love to relocate here. Property Taxes are comparably low compared to many areas in the country which is also enticing. We have little crime comparably as well and we also have very low property taxes.

So what could be on the horizon? Well with Gate's announcement of Durbin Park, a 1,600 acre development to include "...stores, housing, hotels, offices and entertainment..." we now will have the final button on this suit. It's going to be intense but in the end we literally may have the shopping center, lifestyle center, entertainment center that sets a precedent for other 'experience centers' nationwide. 
Surrounding this we have some of the most desirable new communities in the country in Nocatee, Shearwater, Twin Lakes, Durbin Crossing, Julington Lakes, Oxford Estates and more! So the homes are here and coming, commerce is coming, tourism is coming and the ground is fertile for growth. Could we potentially turn NW St. Johns County into one of the most talked about areas nationwide?
There are risks and there will be naysayers and detractors. There will be those that want to keep every last tree instead of development. There will be those who will say it's not like it used to be {sad face}. There will be those who will be upset at which business comes to town {Home Depot vs. Lowes}. There will be those who will point out the deficiencies of the plan, the rain, the water, the cars, the traffic, etc. and perhaps they're all valid concerns but...
If we agree that it's coming: development, commerce and growth then instead of putting our heads in the ground and screaming about it all, we can help our community and its leaders develop it the right way, the nicest best looking way, not cutting corners and eventually end up with what potentially could be the next gem of the southeast right here in our own back yard! Count me in!