ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Leaders broke ground on the St. Augustine Shipyards on Tuesday, vowing it'll not only bring in jobs but put property back on the tax roll.
For the past seven years, the St. Augustine Shipyards have remained empty but on Tuesday, construction officially began. Crews have already started on Phase One. Once this is all said and done, the area will generate dozens of jobs.
The moment of groundbreaking was two years in the making for developer Bob Million.
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"Representative of the two-year struggle we've had to get this far, we are now permitted, we are now starting to build. This is the first portion of a 50-acre development, so it's very significant," Million said.
Shops, restaurants and a 400-boat slip marina will make up the Shipyards, creating dozens of full-time jobs.
"Fifty permanent jobs initially, about 50. Ultimately, many, many more, probably closer to 200," said Million.
Because the land falls on both city and county property, both entities had to come together to make it happen. After being empty for seven years, the space will now go back on the tax rolls.
"You can't miss this; jobs and tax base for St. Augustine, which is really a critical piece of the equation for us," said St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver.
The developer is investing about $11 million into Phase One. The next step is to finish construction and open its doors to the public.
The project will take some time to complete. Million said the projected finish date is in five years.
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