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We are proud to be considered "dirt lawyers." For over two decades we have helped our clients shape
dirt all over North Florida.--from shopping centers to hotels-from planned communities to preservation
projects-from wetlands permitting to urban revitalization projects--from Developments of Regional Impact
to traditional neighborhood planned unit developments.
Since 1982 our firm has been involved in many projects which have defined the environments around
them-we think for the better. A few examples----
Sawgrass. Started in 1972, Sawgrass faced substantial challenges in its early years as the real estate
market hit bottom in the mid seventies. After foreclosure and acquisition by Arvida Corporation we were
continuously involved in the overall development plan and implementation for the Country Club and Players
Club projects throughout the community development and into the 1990s. Now a finished product, the
Sawgrass project helped define the standard of quality for Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County,
Florida.
World Golf Village. The St. Johns Harbor project was redone as the Saint Johns Development of Regional
Impact when acquired by a joint venture of the Dunavant Corporation and the Cummer Land Trust. We
assisted in the extensive negotiations over several years working with Davidson Development which
ultimately led to the development of the World Golf Hall of Fame, The headquarters of PGA Tour
Productions, World Golf Village, Slammer and Squire Golf Course, The King and Bear Golf Course, The
Renaissance Hotel and a successful residential community in St. Johns County Florida.
OakLeaf Plantation. Straddling both Clay and Duval Counties, this Development of Regional Impact faced
a moratorium for several years due to transportation issues and the complexity of a two county DRI. Working
with county staff in both Clay and Duval and negotiating on behalf of AFI, Inc and OakLeaf Plantation LLC,
we assisted in the transformation of this DRI to a vital active mixed use development which is opening doors
to the western part of North Florida.
Palencia. A major mixed use Development of Regional Impact undertaken by Hines Interests Limited
Partners on approximately 1,400 acres of marsh front property north of St. Augustine. The project faced
intense opposition by various environmental groups. We assisted the developer in obtaining and defending
its Development of Regional Impact approval, PUD approval, ACOE Dredge and Fill approval and several
St. Johns Water Management District Environmental Resource permits. The project is now recognized
as one of the premier mixed use communities in the region.
Nocatee. Another two-county Development of
Regional Impact, Nocatee spans approximately 15,000 acres in Duval and St Johns
County, Florida. Conceived by the Davis Family, and with
the assistance of developer The PARC Group, Nocatee is being developed as a
mixed use, master planned community on much of the family landholdings. Nocatee
represents a unique combination of greenway conservation areas, neighborhoods,
and mixed use centers, together with a 1,630 acre nature preserve along four
miles of the Tolomato River shoreline. We worked extensively with Duval and St
Johns Counties on behalf of the landowner and developer in implementing
amendments to the respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans and in obtaining the
DRI approvals.
Twelve Mile Swamp St. Johns River Water Management Acquisition. This project spanned about 8 years
in the making. By working with the St. Johns River Water Management District and St. Johns County we
were able to negotiate along with Davidson Development for the acquisition of approximately 21,000 acres
of land by the District from the Cummer Land Trust while repositioning lands retained by the Trust for
future development through Comprehensive Plan land use amendments.
11 East Forsyth. We assisted our long-time client, The Vestcor Companies, in the acquisition and
redevelopment of this historic property in downtown Jacksonville. With the assistance of a creative
redevelopment loan from the City and the sale of historic tax credits, Vestcor will be making a major
contribution to revitalizing downtown by bringing much needed residential units on line in the coming year.
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