The city issued a permit March 20 for Auld & White Constructors LLC to build a Community First Credit Union branch in Southside Quarter along Gate Parkway at a project cost of $2.18 million.
The 3,588-square-foot branch and drive-thru are in development on 1.1 acres at 7543 Gate Parkway that Jacksonville-based Community First Credit Union bought in October.
Community First announced Oct. 26 that it will close its Baymeadows location, about 2½ miles south, when the new branch is completed at the end of 2024.
Community First has served the Baymeadows and Southside areas with a branch for 24 years and has been in its current location at 8165 Point Meadows Way since 2006.
Community First Credit Union of Florida paid $1 million for the property, according to a deed posted Oct. 31, 2023, by the Duval County Clerk of Courts. It bought the land Oct. 26 from S-15 Land Holdings LLC.
“This new branch is part of our Branch Transformation Project,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Jacksonville-based Community First, in a news release in October.
Southside Quarter is at Gate Parkway between Burnt Mill Road and Village Crossing Road. It is west of Interstate 295 and south of Butler Boulevard.
The 3,600-square-foot Gate Parkway branch will feature a full-service lobby and drive-thru, two ATMs for drive-up and walk-up, and Community First’s signature tower feature.
It will have an open floor plan, upgraded digital technologies and a historical mural depicting the history of the Southside.
The news release said the branch will serve the nearly 7,000 Community First members living within 5 miles of the retail center.
In February, Community First opened its 21st branch at the Boulevard Crossing redevelopment at 5617 Beach Blvd.
It also is developing and building branches in Murabella (Branch 22) and Beachwalk (Branch 23) in St. Johns County.
Community First said its Branch Transformation Project is its comprehensive upgrade to improve member service with spaces that provide a modern retail experience.