As housing and rent prices continue to skyrocket in St. Johns County, many have asked: Where will all the workers who serve our needs and wants live?
This includes those categorized as essential: law enforcement, firefighters, nurses and educators. But it also includes all those who serve our tourism industry, restaurant staff members, retail sales associates and the many, many workers who serve the community. It includes the employee base needed by business owners to operate.
The median price of a single-family home in St. Johns County in September was $536,493, according to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. Rents, too, remain out of reach for many workers.
The result could mean workers taking up residence — and employment — elsewhere. And that would impact everyone, regardless of income level.
Now, a national company is proposing a new development near the intersection of County Road 16A and State Road 16 that could help St. Johns County retain its workforce.
Preserve at Wards Creek, at 6351 County Road 16A, would serve those households with an income between $45,029 and $74,348, or 60% of the area median income. This rental community is being proposed by Dominium, which owns, develops and manages more than 38,000 rental communities across 18 states. The company began doing business in Florida in 2012 and thus far has created more than 5,700 homes in 25 properties.
Preserve at Wards Creek would be adjacent to the new Silverleaf development, which will bring with it 3 million square feet of mixed-use and commercial space that could potentially employ workers and serve families.
Proposed rents, as of 2023, are: $1,069 for a two-bedroom unit, $1,227 for a unit with three bedrooms and $1,362 for one with four bedrooms.
According to Dominium, in-home features would include: granite countertops, walk-in closets, storage space and gourmet kitchens with full appliance packages. Community amenities would include: a pool with sundeck, playground and furnished fitness center.
The Attainable Housing Coalition of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce announced this week that two public meetings would be held for anyone interested in this development and this issue.
The meeting will explore the need for more workforce housing and how workers can continue to live in the community while paying affordable rent.
The meetings are:
Both will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 5950 State Road 16, St. Augustine.
For more information, email Thomas.Williams@Dominiuminc.com.
