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Work on massive new St. Johns County development underway

Work has begun on a nearly 11,000-unit community in St. Johns County.

Plans for SilverLeaf include multiple neighborhoods on 8,000 acres of land next to I-95 between County roads 210 and 16A.

The master plan by Hutson Companies calls for 6,800 single-family units, 3,900 multifamily units, a town center area and 3,500 acres of conservation land.

STORY: St. Johns County public schools sees 4% increase in students

As construction crews clear land near 16A, St. Johns Parkway is being extended south.

The road, which will run through the development connecting 210 and 16A, is nearly complete.

While some are excited about the new development, others worry it will mean more traffic in an already busy area.

“I think it’s going to bring more stores, more restaurants, more things to do so I’m in favor,” Tyson Edell said.

“More cars, more people,” Mindy Harper said. “There's just so many people moving back here… It’s just going to be super busy.”

Some money from all the new homes will go toward building new schools, a district spokesperson said, although a timeline isn’t set.

The developers, which are also behind OakLeaf Plantation, say construction on the homes will begin early next year.

They hope families will start closing on homes, which tout no CDD fees, as early as late February.