World Commerce Center

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} '''World Commerce Center''' (WCC) is an approved ''Development of Regional Impact'' (DRI) under Section 380.06 of the [[Florida Statutes]].<ref>[http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm] Florida's Statutes Official website</ref> It is intended to be the commercial and office development center for [[St. Johns County, Florida]],<ref name=CONDO>Conte, Christian: [http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2006/08/14/story1.html?jst=s_cn_hl “World Commerce Center office condos planned”] Jacksonville Business Journal, August 11, 2006</ref> one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States during the 2000s.<ref>[http://www.stjohnscounts.com/media/SJC_Census_St%20JohnsCounts.pdf "Census Day is April 1, 2010: St. Johns Counts!"] St. Johns Board of County Commissioners, February 4, 2010</ref><ref>[https://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2005-09.html "100 fastest growing counties"] U. S. Census Bureau, March 16, 2006</ref>

==History== The [[World Golf Hall of Fame]] opened on May 19, 1998, inside the [[World Golf Village]]. It was intended as a golf Mecca for players and fans of the game. A new interchange on [[Interstate 95 in Florida]] was constructed to permit direct access to the site. On December 10, 2002, the St. Johns County Commission approved the World Commerce Center DRI which included a location for Ring Power, the first tenant. The mixed use development consists of {{convert|966|acre}}, located south of the World Golf Village.

==Tenants== [[Ring Power]], a heavy equipment company previously located in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], built a new {{convert|414000|sqft|abbr=on}} facility on {{convert|95|acre}} in the WCC and moved there in March, 2005. Their center includes a four-floor corporate headquarters building facing I-95 and separate shop units.<ref>Lackey, Jaime: [http://southeastrebusiness.com/articles/MAY04/feature1.html “Mixed Use Spotlight”] Southeast Real Estate Business, May 2004</ref> A. 64,000 sq ft warehouse expansion is under construction.

The ''Rulon Company'' announced in May, 2005 that they would construct a new corporate office and manufacturing facility at WCC, then relocate from their present [[Brunswick, Georgia]] location. The company manufactures high end acoustical ceiling and wall systems using wood and plastic for commercial customers.<ref>[http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2004/05/03/daily13.html?q=World Commerce Center “Manufacturer is second World Commerce Center tenant”] Jacksonville Business Journal, May 5, 2004</ref>

The Sevilla residential development is a deed restricted community of 405 homesites in the center of the WCC. Construction began in 2005 with phase 1, which sold briskly. By the time phase 2 opened, the 2008 economic meltdown had occurred, and sales were slow.<ref>[http://www.sevillaatworldcommerce.com/news.php “Sevilla at World Commerce Center”] Press release, June 8, 2005</ref> As of December 2013 Sevilla was completely built out. Construction of the $26 million, 120-bed ''Clyde E. Lassen State Nursing Home for Veterans'' was completed in June, 2010. The [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]] allocated $10 million for the project, with the [[Florida Department of Veterans Affairs]] contributing $16 million. The {{convert|15.7|acre|adj=on}} site was donated by the Steinemann Company, developers of the World Commerce Center.<ref>[http://www.clk.co.st-johns.fl.us/minrec/Resolutions/2007/RES2007-79.pdf "Resolution 2007-79"] St. Johns County Commission, March 20, 2007</ref> The State of Florida operates five other nursing homes for veterans.<ref>Guinta, Peter: [http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2009-12-29/va-home-almost-complete "VA home almost complete"] St. Augustine Record, December 29, 2009</ref> A Gate Gas Station and Convenience Store at International Golf Parkway and World Commerce Drive opened in July 2015. A Burger King opened in January 2017. Segovia at World Commerce Center is a townhouse development on the West side of WCC. As of March 2018 all 220 homes were constructed and occupied. Flagler Hospital has constructed a 20,000 sq ft acute care center with a 25,000 sq ft YMCA 1 mile south of WCC.

Tocoi Creek High School was opened across from the northern border of the district in August 2021.

Buc-ee's a Texas based chain constructed a 53,000 sq ft convenience store with 104 fueling stations in the northeast corner of the district. It opened in February 2021.

A 157,000 sq ft Costco Wholesale Warehouse opened August 3, 2022

A Home Depot store is under construction along International Golf Parkway between World Commerce Parkway. A Bass Pro Shoppes is under construction along World Commerce Parkway. A Fields Automotive Porsche and Lexus dealership is under construction along World Commerce Parkway.

Parkway Village a shopping center is in the southwest corner of the district. Tenants include Publix, Chase Bank, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Heartland Dental, Baptist Health, Gate Express Carwash, 7-11, The Loop Restaurant and WhataBurger.

A 280 unit apartment complex Carmellia World Commerce is located behind the Publix.

Assisted Living at the Greens a 62,700 SF Assisted Living Facility and a 24,400 SF Memory Care Facility opened in 2023.

IGP/95 Logistics Park a 509,900 sq ft light industrial park is under construction along International Golf Parkway.

==Proposed==

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==External links== *[http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/BCC/growth_management/media/Planning/DRI/World_Commerce_Center_Adopted/World_Commerce_Center_DO_RES2002-267.pdf World Commerce Center DRI, St. Johns County Commission] *[http://www.steinemannco.com/Prop02.html Steinemann & Company developers]

[[Category:Unincorporated communities in St. Johns County, Florida]] [[Category:Jacksonville metropolitan area]] [[Category:Planned communities in Florida]] [[Category:Unincorporated communities in Florida]]