- April 24, 2024
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If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the future is unpredictable. In an instant, office space can become void, crowded restaurants can transform to take out and streets can literally empty. The impact of COVID-19 stresses the importance of flexibility and adaptability - something Douglas Property & Development has highlighted time and time again with their reinvention of Town Center.
“We want Town Center to be forward-thinking and progressive in terms of development,” said Walker Douglas of DPD. “We’re looking to draw people in and give them a reason to come to Town Center if they don’t already.”
Every moving part of this project has the potential to be adjusted to meet the needs of the city’s future. The new facilities for the University of North Florida Mednexus and Jacksonville University will create new jobs, retain young talent in the medical field and provide more necessary services for current and incoming residents. The three existing apartment communities and 200 single-family homes under construction will meet the current housing demand while encouraging out-of-state companies to set up shop in Flagler County. And the flexible office, restaurant, entertainment and retail spaces will create the city’s first bustling downtown.
“There’s a couple of ways to look at it,” Douglas said. “We want the businesses that bring people to Towne Center, like restaurants and retail, but then we also want the businesses that keep people in Towne Center, like offices or insurance agencies.” In addition to building that center for people to work and live, DPD is also creating space for places to play. At least two open-concept, covered and paved outdoor areas have been constructed that could host anything from live events, when those return. There’s also room for activity-based businesses like axe-throwing, escape rooms or whatever form of entertainment comes next.
“We’re creating a place for people to gather, which is something that we don’t really necessarily have in Palm Coast right now,” Douglas said. “We’ve got a few very cool breweries and restaurants, but having them localized in one area allows them to feed off of each other and enjoy each other’s success with all the traffic and buzz that gets created.”
While there is still a lot of work left to do in making the City’s vision for Towne Center a reality, DPD President Jeff Douglas believes they’re right on track thanks to the continued support from local leadership.
“The mayor has worked hard, the city manager has worked hard, and the county has worked hard,” said Jeff Douglas. “The leadership has worked very hard to secure and meet the needs of the existing community. As that community expands, so does the need for high-quality, clean jobs, and what we’re doing is creating those jobs.
“Towne Center is the economic and tax-paying driver for the future of Palm Coast. It’s that simple.”
For more information on Douglas Property & Development’s projects in Towne Center, visit douglaspd.com
