The PARC Group, master developer for the new Town of Nocatee, has finalized the donation of 20 acres in Nocatee to New Beginnings Church.
The land transfer happened with a ceremonial transfer of the deed from H. Jay Skelton, vice chairman of DDI, Inc., the landowner, to Jack Millwood, Interim Pastor of New Beginnings Church.
This donation paved the way for New Beginnings to sell its Ponte Vedra property, including the Cornerstone ball fields, to St. Johns County. The donation opens the door to the construction of a much larger multi-use church campus in Nocatee and also enables the county to enjoy continued access to the Cornerstone fields, which were formerly part of church property.
“Over two years ago, the County Commissioners requested our help to facilitate the County’s purchase of the New Beginnings property and athletic fields in Ponte Vedra,” said Skelton, who represents the Davis family. “We are pleased to be able to help the county, the church and the community.”
“The county commissioners, county staff and church trustees worked closely with us to transfer the lands and preserve the athletic fields in Ponte Vedra,” said Richard T. Ray, a partner with The PARC Group.
The Cornerstone fields are now owned and controlled by St. Johns County. The new church is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2008.
“We are so grateful that the families in St. Johns County will be able to continue to enjoy the recreational facilities on the property at A1A,” said Pastor Millwood. “Our church is about the people of this area. Now, with the gracious generosity of the Davis family, we were able to sell our property to the County and allow families to continue to enjoy this space while we move forward with our goals.”
Todd Barfield, Member of the Deacon Board at New Beginnings Church, agreed. “We sincerely appreciate the vision of the Davis family for our community,” he said. “We are grateful for their very generous donation of our new replacement property next to Davis Park. This deal is a win-win for everyone: the county, the community, the Ponte Vedra Athletic Association and the church.”