University of Florida Health leaders broke ground on a new hospital that will expand healthcare services in the Durbin Park area of St. Johns County on Wednesday.

There is a lot of residential growth just off I-95 at Race Track Road and St. Johns Parkway in St. Johns County. Well, with all those residents moving in, they’ll need places to shop and eat. And those businesses are coming.

The area near I-95 and State Road 9B on the north side of Racetrack Road is undeveloped right now. But just wait. Construction during the third quarter of this year will cause it to morph.

Earlier this year, Flagler Hospital announced it would soon have health villages in several St. Johns County neighborhoods as part of an expansion into its new Flagler Health+ brand. Phase one will introduce a Flagler Health+ Village that incorporates family practice, womens care, pediatrics, urgent care, imaging and laboratory services. Additional offerings will be further refined in partnership with area residents through a dedicated Durbin Park Health Advisory Council. We are excited that Flagler Health+ has chosen to create its Flagler Health+ Village in Durbin Park, said Drew Frick, president of GATE Lands. Construction on the Flagler Health+ Village is anticipated to begin in 2020.