3.0 Existing Service Area Conditions - St. Johns County ... · 3.0 Existing Service Area Conditions...

St. Johns County Transit Development Plan, 2016 Major Update

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3.0 Existing Service Area Conditions

3.1 Transit Service Area St. Johns County is located in Northeast Florida, bordered on the north by Duval County, on the south by Flagler County and on the west by the St. Johns River and Clay and Putnam Counties. To the east, St. Johns County is bounded by over 40 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Just over one-third of St. Johns County’s population is concentrated in what is called the St. Augustine Urbanized Area, which includes the City of St. Augustine, City of St. Augustine Beach and surrounding areas. Another one-third of the population resides in the County’s northeast and northwest communities and is part of the Jacksonville Urbanized Area that extends from the north into St. Johns County. Interstate 95 (I-95) runs north-south through the center of the county and west of St. Augustine. US 1 is another principal north-south arterial that runs parallel to the Florida East Coast (FEC) rail line, a regional railroad providing rail service along the east coast of Florida. Figure 3.1 illustrates the study area. The Sunshine Bus Company provides public transportation services in St. Johns County, serving the St. Augustine Urbanized Area, as well as the Town of Hastings and Flagler Estates.

3.2 Population Profile St. Johns County’s population is the second largest within Northeast Florida and is currently the fastest growing county. Table 3.1 shows that the county’s population has increased 14.7% between years 2010 and 2014, a rate of increase faster than the region (7.1%) and faster than the State of Florida (5.8%). During this period, St. Johns County gained 27,880 residents. Also during this time, as shown in Table 3.2, households increased by about 8% and civilians employed in the labor force increased by 13%. The US Census Bureau defines the more densely populated areas of the county as Urban Areas. Table 3.3 shows that 72.5% of St. Johns County’s population lives within Census Urban Areas. Between 2010 and 2014, population within these areas increased by 9%, or 13,233 residents. The Census Bureau defines two types of urban areas: Urbanized Areas of 50,000 or more people and Urban Clusters of at least 2,500 and less than 50,0007. In addition to the St. Augustine Urbanized Area and the Jacksonville Urbanized Area, the World Golf Village area is an Urban Cluster located west of Interstate 95 near SR 16. Population estimates for St. Johns County’s three incorporated areas, the City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach and the Town of Hastings are shown in Table 3.4. Incorporated jurisdictions make up about 10% of the County’s total population. Of the incorporated areas, St. Augustine has the largest population (13,590), followed by St. Augustine Beach (6,480).

7 U.S. Census Bureau website https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/ua/uafaq.html, 8/2016


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Figure 3.1 Service Area


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Table 3.1 North Florida’s Population by County County

Population 2010 - 2014

2000 2010 2014 % of North

Florida's Population

% Change

# Change

Annual Average %

Change Baker 22,259 27,115 27,093 1.7% -0.1% -22 0.0% Clay 140,814 190,865 199,798 12.5% 4.7% 8,933 1.2%

Duval 778,879 864,263 897,698 56.3% 3.9% 33,435 1.0% Flagler 49,832 95,696 102,408 6.4% 7.0% 6,712 1.8% Nassau 57,663 73,314 76,619 4.8% 4.5% 3,305 1.1% Putnam 70,423 74,364 72,143 4.5% -3.0% -2,221 -0.7% St. Johns 123,135 190,039 217,919 13.7% 14.7% 27,880 3.7% Region 1,243,005 1,488,541 1,593,678 100.0% 7.1% 105,137 1.8%

State of Florida 15,982,824 18,801,310 19,893,297 ------ 5.8% 1,091,987 1.5%

Source: US Census Bureau State & County Quick Facts, 2014 July 1 Estimate.

Table 3.2 St. Johns County Population Characteristics Characteristic 2010 2014 % Change Persons 190,039 217,919 14.7% Households 75,338 81,309 7.9% Civilians employed in labor force 88,212 99,939 13.3% Land area (square miles) 600.66 600.66 0.0% Persons per square mile of land area (Density) 316.4 362.8 14.7%

Source: 2010 Census Demographic Profile Data (DP-1); 2010 ACS 1-Year Estimates for civilians employed; 2014 US Census Bureau Estimate; and 2014 ACS 1-Year Estimates

Table 3.3 Urban Area Population Urban Area 2010

Population 2014

Population

% of County's

Population

Population Change,

2010 - 2014

Share of Urban Area

Growth

Share of County Growth

# %

St. Augustine Urbanized Area 69,173 75,492 34.6% 6,319 9.1% 47.8% 22.7% World Golf Village Urban Cluster 6,622 7,227 3.3% 605 9.1% 4.6% 2.2% Jacksonville Urbanized Area 69,065 75,374 34.6% 6,309 9.1% 47.7% 22.6% Total Urban Area 144,860 158,093 72.5% 13,233 9.1% 100.0% 47.5% Total St. Johns County 190,039 217,919 100.0% 27,880 14.7% ----- 100.0%

Source: FDOT Office of Policy Planning, Urbanized Area Population Estimates (April 1, 2014), March 2015; FDOT Urban Cluster Population Estimates (April 1, 2014), March 2015


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Table 3.4 Population by Jurisdiction Population % Hastings 604 0.3% St. Augustine 13,590 6.4% St. Augustine Beach 6,480 3.0% Unincorporated Area 192,890 90.3% County Total 213,566 100.0%

Source: Florida Estimates of Population, BEBR (Bureau of Economic and Business Research), University of Florida, 2015

3.3 Population Density and Demographics

3.3.1 Population Density Geographic information systems (GIS) was used to develop a spatial analysis of population within St. Johns County, using the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) data (2014 5-Year Estimates). Overall, the highest concentrations of St. Johns County’s populations are located in the urbanized areas. Figure 3.2 (Population Density) represents the greatest concentrations of county residents in orange and red, and the smallest concentrations of residents in shades of green. In the St. Augustine Urbanized Area the greatest population densities are generally located north and south of King Street between Masters Drive and SR A1A; the St. Augustine South area; east of Anastasia Boulevard, near the Bridge of Lions; St. Augustine Beach, south of SR 312 between SR A1A and A1A Beach Boulevard; and along SR A1A, north of SR 206. Using year 2040 data from the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Model (NERPM), GIS was applied to complete a spatial examination of future population density within St. Johns County (Figure 3.3). Over the next twenty years, population densities increase across the county. Areas with the greatest densities generally remain in the St. Augustine Urbanized Area and Jacksonville Urbanized Areas (northeast and northwest St. Johns County). The Nocatee DRI area (east of US 1 and south of Nocatee Parkway), however, significantly increases in population density, as does an approximate 13-acre area west of US 1 near the Twin Creeks DRI (just west of US 1 and south of CR 210), potentially future workforce housing.

3.3.2 Demographic Summary Table 3.5 identifies overall percentages of demographic groups for St. Johns County. Compared to Florida, the county contains a lower percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents (5.7% vs. 23.3%); a higher percentage of white residents (89.6% vs. 76.2%); a lower percentage of residents speaking languages other than English (7.8% vs. 27.8%); a higher median income ($65,575 vs. $47,212); a lower percentage of persons below poverty level (9.7% vs. 16.7%); and higher percentages of high school (93.8% vs. 86.5%) and college graduates (41.4% vs. 26.8%).

According to Census data, 1.5% of the county’s workers have no vehicle available in their household (Table 3.6). The incorporated communities of St. Augustine and Hastings have greater percentages of


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workers with no vehicles, at 6.9% and 11.2%, respectively. St. Augustine Beach is at 1.9%. A spatial distribution of household with no vehicles available is shown in Figure 3.4.

Population densities and percentages were also mapped for several population groups that tend to use transit more frequently than the general population, including low income populations, households without private vehicles, seniors and persons with limited English proficiency (Figures 3.5 -3.10). The highest concentrations of these population groups are generally located in the urbanized areas. However, the southwest area of the County (west of Interstate 95 between SR 206 and CR 13, including portions of Hastings) contains relatively high percentages of residents living below poverty level, higher percentages of households with no vehicles and lower median household incomes. Areas with the lowest median household incomes are generally located in and near the St. Augustine urbanized area and the southwest area of the county (including Hastings).

Figure 3.2 Population Density


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Figure 3.3 Future Population Density


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Table 3.5 Demographic Characteristics Summary St. Johns County Florida Gender Male 98,729 48.5% 48.9% Female 104,673 51.5% 51.1% Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino 11,629 5.7% 23.3% Non-Hispanic or Latino 191,773 94.3% 76.7% Age Less than 20 years 50,890 25.0% 23.3% 20-34 years 31,020 15.3% 19.1% 35-54 years 58,030 28.5% 26.7% 55-64 years 28,987 14.3% 12.8% 65 years and older 34,475 16.9% 18.2% Median Age (Years) 42.6 41.2 Race White 182,338 89.6% 76.2% Black or African American 10,965 5.4% 16.1% American Indian & Alaska Native 395 0.2% 0.3% Asian 4,285 2.1% 2.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 187 0.1% 0.1% Other 896 0.4% 2.5% Identified by Two or More 4,336 2.1% 2.3% Language other than English spoken at home Language other than English spoken at home, percentage 5+ 14,977 7.8% 27.8%

Income and Poverty Median household income ($) 65,575 47,212 % persons below poverty level in the past 12 months 9.7% 16.7%

Disability and Veteran Status Disability Status of Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population 21,595 10.7% 13.1%

Civilian veterans 19,623 12.5% 10.1% Educational Attainment % high school graduate or higher ---- 93.8% 86.5% % bachelor's degree or higher ---- 41.4% 26.8% Housing Units Units % % Total Units 92,936 100.0% 100.0% Occupied Units 77,443 83.3% 79.7% Owner - Occupied Units 58,509 63.0% 52.7% Renter - Occupied Units 18,934 20.4% 27.0%

Source: 2010-2014 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates


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Table 3.6 Household Vehicles Available St. Johns County St. Augustine

St. Augustine Beach Hastings

Workers 16 years and older in households

Workers % Workers % Workers % Workers % 91,941 100.0% 6,202 100.0% 3,082 100.0% 224 100.0%

No vehicle available 1,379 1.5% 428 6.9% 59 1.9% 25 11.2% 1 vehicle available 16,365 17.8% 2,096 33.8% 592 19.2% 27 12.1% 2 vehicles available 49,188 53.5% 2,878 46.4% 1,880 61.0% 84 37.5% 3 or more vehicles 25,008 27.2% 800 12.9% 552 17.9% 88 39.3%

Source: US Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey (ACS), 5 - year estimates

Figure 3.4 Percent Zero Car Household


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Figure 3.5 Density of 65 Years Old & Above


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Figure 3.6 Percent 65 Years Old & Above


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Figure 3.7 Below Poverty Level Density


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Figure 3.8 Percent Below Poverty Level


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Figure 3.9 Median Household Income


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Figure 3.10 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Density


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3.4 Employment Density and Large Employers

3.4.1 Employment Density Using base-year data from the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Model (NERPM), GIS was applied to complete a spatial examination of employment within St. Johns County (Figure 3.11). Additionally, 2014 InfoUSA job location data was utilized to create a heat map indicating where jobs are concentrated within the County (Figure 3.12). Overall the highest concentrations of St. Johns County’s jobs are located within the St. Augustine Urbanized Area, generally along US 1 near King Street and near SR 312).

Figure 3.11 Employment Density


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Figure 3.12 Jobs Heat Map


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3.4.2 Large Employers The County’s Chamber of Commerce provided a list of private companies with at least 100 employees, including the St. Johns County School District. As mapped in Figure 3.13 and shown in Table 3.7, these 35 large employers comprise over 15,000 employees. The St. Johns County School District is the largest employer (3,700 employees), followed by Flagler Hospital (1,800) and Northrop Grumman (1,100 employees). The majority of large employers (15 out of 35) are located in the St. Augustine area representing 67% of these large employer jobs. Ten employers are located in Ponte Vedra representing 20% of the large employer jobs; and seven employers are located in the World Golf Village (WGV) area representing about 10% of these jobs. Many of these jobs are not located near existing transit routes. In addition to large private employers, St. Johns County, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the cities of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach are major employers.

Figure 3.13 Large Employers


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Table 3.7 Large Employers in St. Johns County Company Name Employees Description City/Community

St. Johns County School District 3700 Public Education St. Augustine

Flagler Hospital 1800 Hospital St. Augustine

Northrop Grumman, St. Augustine 1100 Aircraft Integration Center St. Augustine

Florida School for the Deaf and Blind 670 Statewide K-12 Boarding School St. Augustine

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club 650 Hotels/Resorts Ponte Vedra Beach Ring Power 629 Heavy Construction Equipment Dealer St. Augustine (WGV) PGA Tour 620 Golf Resort Ponte Vedra Beach Carlisle Interconnect Technologies 600 High Tech. Wire Manufacturing St. Augustine

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa 465 Hotels/Resorts Ponte Vedra Beach

Florida Army National Guard 400 Army and Air National Guard St. Augustine

SAPA Extrusions North America 330 Manufacturing St. Augustine Flagler College 330 Education St. Augustine

Vicar's Landing 320 Retirement Community (non-profit) Ponte Vedra Beach TPC 320 Golf Club Ponte Vedra Beach Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab 260 Nursing Home St. Augustine Council on Aging 201 Community Service St. Augustine Prosperity Bank 200 Financial Institution St. Augustine

Renaissance Resort at WGV 200 Hotels St. Augustine (WGV)

Westminster Woods- Julington Creek 190 Retirement Community Fruit Cove Conch House Marina/Resort 180 Restaurant/Marina/Motel Destination St. Augustine Glenmoor at World Golf Village 180 Retirement Community St. Augustine (WGV) D.R Horton 170 Home Builders St. Johns

Advanced Disposal 160 Solid Waste and Recycling Services Ponte Vedra (Nocatee)

Casa Monica Hotel 160 Hotel St. Augustine The Lodge and Club 150 Hotel and Private Club Ponte Vedra Beach Roadway Worker Training 150 Training and Support to Railroad industry St. Augustine (WGV) David Dobbs Enterprises 150 Specialty Advertising Products St. Augustine

Hastings Comp. Mental Health 140 Juvenile Correction Facility (State of Florida) Hastings

Capital Markets Cooperative 140 Provides secondary marketing to banks Ponte Vedra Beach

University of St. Augustine (Health Sciences) 120 Training Facility for health care practitioners St. Augustine

Rulon International 120 Wood manufacturing (ceilings, wood walls) St. Augustine (WGV) Sawgrass Country Club 110 Private Country Club Ponte Vedra Beach PGA Tour Entertainment 110 Video production of the PGA tour St. Augustine (WGV)

Vacation Rental Pro's 105 Vacation Rental leasing & management Ponte Vedra Beach

Slammer and Squire at WGV 100 Golf Course St. Augustine (WGV)

15,230 Source: St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, 2/5/2016 (Private Companies with 100 employees and above, including St. Johns County School District)


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3.5 Commuting Characteristics and Patterns

3.5.1 Means of Transportation to Work Table 3.8 indicates that most St. Johns County workers drive alone to work (over 80 percent). Only 0.2 percent of workers in St. Johns County use public transportation to get to work. The incorporated communities of St. Augustine and Hastings have greater percentages of workers that use public transportation, at 1.4 and 3.8 percent, respectively. St. Augustine Beach is at 0 percent.

3.5.2 Place of Work Using US Census ACS data, place of work for workers living in St. Johns County was obtained (Table 3.9). For St. Johns County residents that work, over half (55 percent) work within the county. In all three incorporated communities of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach and Hastings over 80 percent of workers work within St. Johns County.

3.5.3 Commuters from St. Johns County to Other Counties Table 3.10 summarizes commuter flows for workers living in St. Johns County. The table shows the top seven destination counties for St. Johns County’s workers. These are the counties where St. Johns County’s workers are employed. Using the US Census’ On the Map application and LEHD statistics, this section includes an analysis of employment commuting patterns for St. Johns County residents. The On the Map application is an online resource to obtain Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) data. In year 2011 (the year of St. Johns County’s last major TDP update), 28,629 workers living in St. Johns County also work in St. Johns County (36 percent). In year 2013 (the most recent year of available data at the time of the analysis) the number of workers living and working in St. Johns County increased 6% by over 1,800 workers. The remaining percent of workers commute to either nearby counties or counties outside of Northeast Florida. According to the data, the greatest share of St. Johns County workers commute to Duval County. Over forty percent of workers living in St. Johns County commute to Duval County. Between 2011 and 2013, there was an 8% increase in the number of workers living in St. Johns County who commute to Duval County (representing 2,421 workers). Although Duval County is the top destination county for St. Johns County workers, the percentage increase of workers commuting to Clay County and Flagler County was 24% and 18, respectively.

3.5.4 Commuters from Other Counties to St. Johns County Table 3.11 summarizes commuter flows for persons who live in other counties and work in St. Johns County. The table shows the top seven counties of origin for workers employed in St. Johns County. Similar to Table 3.10, this table also uses data from the US Census’ On the Map application and LEHD statistics. Of the workers who work in St. Johns County, about half come from communities within St. Johns County, while the other half come from other counties. Of the other counties, the greatest share of workers come from Duval County. Between 2011 and 2013, the number of workers commuting from Duval County to St. Johns County increased 12%. Although a significant amount of workers travel from Duval County, the percentage increase of workers commuting to St. Johns County from Clay County was 19%.


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3.5.5 Additional Commuting Patterns - St. Augustine and Jacksonville Table 3.12 offers a relative comparison of commuters to the St. Augustine area (represented in this table as St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach) and to Jacksonville. Generally, a larger share of workers living in northern St. Johns County communities are employed in Jacksonville than are employed in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach. For example, fifty-nine percent of workers living in Fruit Cove (northwest St. Johns County) are employed in Jacksonville, compared to about six percent employed in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach. Also, a larger share of workers living in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach are employed in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach than in Jacksonville. For example, 32.6 % of St. Augustine workers are employed in the St. Augustine area, while only 19.8% are employed in Jacksonville. Although the magnitude of St. Augustine workers traveling to Jacksonville is still relatively significant, with about 1,100 workers employed in Jacksonville.

Table 3.8 Means of Transportation to Work St. Johns County St. Augustine St. Augustine Beach Hastings Workers % Workers % Workers % Workers % Workers 16 years and over 92,260 100.0% 6,403 100.0% 3,085 100.0% 240 100.0% Car, truck, or van 82,388 89.3% 4,463 69.70% 2,564 83.10% 190 79.2%

>>Drove alone 75,192 81.5% 3,912 61.10% 2,422 78.50% 169 70.4%

>>Carpooled 7,104 7.7% 551 8.60% 142 4.60% 21 8.8%

Public Transportation 185 0.2% 90 1.40% 0 0.00% 9 3.8%

Walked 923 1.0% 531 8.30% 37 1.20% 3 1.3%

Bicycle 830 0.9% 519 8.10% 25 0.80% 7 2.9%

Taxicab, motorcycle, other 1,476 1.6% 224 3.50% 65 2.10% 5 2.1%

Worked at home 6,458 7.0% 576 9.00% 395 12.80% 26 10.8% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey (ACS), 5 - year estimates, Table S0801: Commuting (values calculated based on census percentages)

Table 3.9 Place of Work St. Johns County St. Augustine

St. Augustine Beach Hastings

Workers % Workers % Workers % Workers % Workers 16 years and over 92,260 100.0% 6,403 100.0% 3,085 100.0% 3,085 100.0% Work in Florida 90,415 98.0% 6,205 96.9% 3,017 97.8% 3,085 100.0%

Work in St. Johns County 51,204 55.5% 5,359 83.7% 2,539 82.3% 2,570 83.3%

Work Outside St. Johns County 39,303 42.6% 845 13.2% 478 15.5% 515 16.7%

Work outside Florida 1,845 2.0% 198 3.1% 68 2.2% 0 0.0% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey (ACS), 5 - year estimates, Table S0801: Commuting


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Table 3.10 Workplace for Workers Living in St. Johns County, 2011 and 2013 County of Residence

County of Work

Duval St. Johns Clay Orange Hills-

borough Putnam Flagler All Other Locations Total

St. Johns County (2013)

Number of Workers 34,161 30,445 2,526 2,218 1,422 1,177 1,044 11034 84,027

% 41% 36% 3% 3% 2% 1% 1% 13% 100%


Number of Workers 31,740 28,629 2,043 2,127 1,396 1,107 887 10532 78,461

% 40% 36% 3% 3% 2% 1% 1% 13% 100%

2011 - 2013 Percent Change for each 8% 6% 24% 4% 2% 6% 18% 5% 7%

Distribution of St. Johns County's total

increase (2011 - 2013)

2,421 1,816 483 91 26 70 157 502 5,566

43% 33% 9% 2% 0% 1% 3% 9% 100%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2011 and 2013).

Table 3.11 Residence for Workers Employed in St. Johns County, 2011 and 2013 County of Work

County of Residence

St. Johns Duval Flagler Clay Putnam Volusia Orange All Other

Locations Total


Number of

Workers 30,445 11,718 2,834 2,280 1,754 1,146 967 10,685 61,829

% 49.2% 19.0% 4.6% 3.7% 2.8% 1.9% 1.6% 17% 100%


Number of

Workers 28,629 10,420 2,774 1,914 1,667 1,041 1,034 9,464 56,943

% 50.3% 18.3% 4.9% 3.4% 2.9% 1.8% 1.8% 17% 100%

2011 - 2013 Percent Change for each 6% 12% 2% 19% 5% 10% -6% 13% 9%

Distribution of St. Johns County's total

increase (2013 - 2011)

1,816 1,298 60 366 87 105 -67 1,221 4,886

37% 27% 1% 7% 2% 2% -1% 25% 100%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2011 and 2013).


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Table 3.12 Comparison of Commuters to St. Augustine Area and Jacksonville Residence Location

Work Location

St. Augustine Area Jacksonville

Work in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach

% of workers living in the Home Location that

work in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach

Work in Jacksonville

% of workers living in the Home

Location that work in

Jacksonville St. Augustine Beach CDP 938 34.4% 463 17.0% St. Augustine CDP 1,809 32.6% 1,095 19.8% Hastings CCD Area 866 17.0% 1,059 20.7% World Golf Village CDP 497 9.7% 2,537 49.6% Nocatee CDP 218 7.5% 1,202 41.2% Fruit Cove CDP 793 5.7% 8,217 59.2% Ponte Vedra CCD 416 3.4% 5,823 47.7% East Palatka CDP 34 4.3%

Palm Coast 605 2.2% Palatka CDP 53 1.1% Jacksonville CDP 1,340 0.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics, 2014

3.6 Tourism With over 6.3 million visitors annually, St. Johns County is a major travel destination. There are numerous attractions within the County including attractions within the historic City of St. Augustine, beaches and golf courses. The St. Johns County Tourist Development Council (TDC) estimates that the County experienced 6,335,000 million total visitors (from outside of St. Johns County) in 2015. About fifty-six percent stayed overnight in commercial lodging establishments and thirty-seven percent were day visitors who did not spend the night in St. Johns County. The remaining visitors either stayed with friends or relatives or stayed in personal condos or vacation homes. During this period, the occupancy rate for hotels and motels was 66.4%, a record for 12 months.

St. Johns County has about 10,256 total rooms/units in over 220 facilities (hotels/motels, condos/private rentals, resorts, bed & breakfasts/inns and campgrounds). Forty-four percent of the rooms/units are located in the Anastasia Beaches area, twenty-four percent located in the St. Augustine/Vilano/North Beach area, thirteen percent located along the Interstate 95 corridor, ten percent located in Ponte Vedra Beach and eight percent in World Golf Village.

Tourism in St. Johns County has a significant economic impact on the County with over $1.7 billion in direct spending in 2015, up 4% over 2014. This spending generated 22,924 tourism jobs and $167 million


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in state and local taxes. Multiple industry sectors benefited from tourism spending including transit and ground passenger transportation at $62.9 million (3.8%), and scenic and sightseeing transportation at $60.4 million (3.6%).

3.7 Major Destinations and Points of Interest In addition to reviewing demographic and employment data, the locations of major destinations and points of interest may help determine transit enhancements. Figures 3.14 – 3.18 illustrate the locations of key government services; assisted living facilities; common paratransit destinations; medical, college and shopping point of interest; and tourism points of interest. The Sunshine Bus transit coverage area (a one-quarter mile distance on either side of each bus route) is shown on the figures to indicate how well the existing deviated fixed-route transit system serves these locations.

Within the St. Augustine Urbanized Area and Hastings, existing Sunshine Bus Routes generally serve these destinations very well. The following destinations/point of interests are near the existing transit coverage area but do not appear to be within one-quarter mile of Sunshine Bus routes.

Solomon Calhoun Community Center on Duval Street (Government Services) Anastasia Island Branch Library on SR A1A(Government Services) St. Augustine Beach Branch Post Office on SR A1A(Government Services) St. Augustine Beach City Hall Complex and Police Department on SR A1A (Government Service) First Coast Technical College Public Safety Campus on Woodlawn Road (School) W.E. Harris Community Center in Hastings on E. Harris St. (Government Services) Treaty Park near SR 207 and Wildwood Drive (Tourism – Recreation) Portions of North Beach/Vilano Beach/Crescent Beach on SR A1A (Tourism – Hotel/Motel)

There are also major destinations and points of interests not currently within or near the existing transit system’s coverage area. Several are located within the northeast, northwest and World Golf Village areas of the County.


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Figure 3.14 Government Services


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Figure 3.15 Assisted Living Facilities


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Figure 3.16 Common Paratransit Destinations


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Figure 3.17 Medical, Colleges and Shopping Points of Interest


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Figure 3.18 Tourism Points of Interest


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3.8 Land Use, Development Future Land Use Map components of the St. Johns County, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach and Hasting’s comprehensive plans illustrate anticipated land use, generally over the next 10 to 20 years. Figures 3.19 – 3.22 depict future land uses currently anticipated over the TDP’s ten–year horizon.

In St. Johns County land use changes and growth are anticipated as there are many developing areas, including Developments of Regional Impact (DRI). Figure 3.23 illustrates the locations of several DRIs, along with a table indicating the number of recent residential permits approved in year 2015. As shown, the DRIs are located north of SR 16 and outside of the St. Augustine Urbanized Area. Nocatee, a very large master planned community, continues to develop. It is approved for over 14,600 residential units along with 4.2-million square feet of office, 1-million square feet of retail, as well as a 10-acre affordable housing site at the junction of Valley Ridge Boulevard and Palm Valley Road. Over the next five to ten years, Twin Creeks and Silverleaf are anticipated to develop substantially. Similar to Nocatee, Silverleaf is approved for over 10,000 residential units. Appendix H contains a table of approved, built and remaining DRI development.

In addition to DRIs, Durbin Park in northern St. Johns County is expected to be a very large development bringing jobs, retail and services. Located on the south side of Race Track Road, and east and west of Interstate 95, Durbin Park is planned to be a mixed use development with retail, entertainment, office, hotel and residential land uses, built over a 20-year period. Phase I, bounded on the east by a new SR-9B extension is expected to contain about 600,000 square feet of retail, including big box retailers. Phase I could open as early as year 2018.

3.9 Existing Roadways Roadways are classified according to their function (Figure 3.24). In St. Johns County the major north-south commuting roadways of Interstate 95 and US 1 are classified as Principal Arterials. The state of Florida identifies Interstate 95 as a corridor with regional and statewide significance as it connects the state and Northeast Florida to areas to the north. Other principal arterials are SR 16 and SR 207. Roadway classifications range from principal arterials to minor collectors and local, neighborhood streets.

In addition to Interstate 95, there are other transportation facilities within St. Johns County designated on Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), with statewide and regional significance. SIS facilities consist of statewide and regionally significant facilities and services, established to efficiently serve the mobility needs of Florida’s citizens, businesses and visitors. Currently, Interstate 95 and SR 207 are SIS highways, and the Florida East Coast Railway is a SIS railroad. Other key non-SIS state transportation facilities include US 1, SR A1A, SR 16 and the Northeast Florida Regional Airport.

St. Johns County maintains a Transportation Analysis Spreadsheet that identifies critical and deficient roadway segments8. Roadway segments are critical when 90% to 99.9% of their peak hour service volume are utilized, and roadway segments are deficient when 100% or more of their peak hour service volume are utilized. Of the 199 roadway segments in the spreadsheet, 40 (20%) are either critical or

8 Published date is 07/1/2015 (revised 8/18/2015)


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deficient. These 40 roadway segments represent 60 (14%) of the total 418 miles that are critical or deficient. Notable critical or deficient roadway segments are: US 1 near Wildwood Drive, SR 312 west of US 1, CR214/King St. between Volusia St. and Palmer St., Holmes Blvd. between SR 207 and CR214/King St., and SR 207 near Interstate 95. Existing Sunshine Bus routes travel on these roadway segments. A list of critical and deficient roadway segments are located in Appendix H.

Constrained roadway segments are roadways that will likely not be widened beyond the current number of lanes due to environmental, physical, political or severe economic constraints. Any capacity improvements on constrained roadways likely will need to occur through techniques that manage travel demand or improve traffic flow through solutions such as transit, ITS, intersection improvements and other context sensitive solutions. St. Johns County has constrained roadway segments located in the City of St. Augustine (portions of San Marco Ave. south of the Vilano Causeway, King St. east of US-1, the Bridge of Lions, the Vilano Causeway Bridge, and US 1/Ponce de Leon Blvd. north and south of King St.), and along portions of CR 214/W. King St., Masters Dr./Palmer St., International Golf Parkway, SR A1A, CR 210 and CR 210A in Ponte Vedra and SR 13 in the Fruit Cove area. An existing Sunshine Bus route extends along King St. and the Bridge of Lions.


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Figure 3.19 St. Johns County Future Land Use


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Figure 3.20 St. Augustine Future Land Use


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Figure 3.21 St. Augustine Beach Future Lane Use


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Figure 3.22 Hastings Future Land Use


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Figure 3.23 Developments of Regional Impact


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Figure 3.24 Functional Classification


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3.10 Planned Transportation Improvements The North Florida TPO approved the Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) on November 13, 2014. The plan guides decisions and investments in the region’s transportation system and considers major road, transit, freight, bike and pedestrian needs over a 20-year horizon. Several projects are included in the adopted 2040 cost feasible LRTP. Table 3.13 lists the region’s cost feasible transportation projects within St. Johns County. Notable roadway capacity projects for St. Johns County include new express lanes along Interstate 95 between the First Coast Expressway and the St. Johns/Duval County Line, a new 4-6 lane roadway to the west of and parallel to Interstate 95 (named CR 2209/St. Johns Parkway), a new roadway in northern St. Augustine (SR 313) and the widening of portions of Race Track Road. The LRTP also documents existing and/or committed projects (i.e., E+C projects) expected to be operational by 2018. These projects include the SR 9B extension from southern Duval County to CR 2209 in St. Johns County. The SR 9B Extension will provide a direct connection between CR 2209 and Interstate 95 in St. Johns County, though Interstate 295 in Duval County. The 2040 cost feasible LRTP also plans for a few major public transportation projects, including commuter rail along the FEC, from a new Transportation Intermodal Center in downtown Jacksonville to St. Augustine. Bus rapid transit is included, between downtown Jacksonville and the Avenue Mall. Regional park and ride lots are also included.

Table 3.13 Planned Transportation Improvements Roadway From To Capacity Improvement

CR 2209 CR 210 SR 16 Connector New 6 Lane Road CR 2209 SR 16 Connector CR 214 New 4 Lane Road

Dixie Hwy/Pellicer Lane SR 207 CR 214 King Street Reconstruct 2 lanes and widen to add sidewalks & bike lanes

East Payton Parkway SR 9B Race Track Road @ Bartram Springs Parkway

New Road - 6-lane divided arterial

Interstate 95 International Golf Parkway Duval/St. Johns County Line Add 4 Express Lanes

Race Track Road St. Johns Parkway/CR 2209 Bartram Park Blvd. Widen to 4-lane divided

arterial

Race Track Road Bartram Park Blvd. US 1 Widen to 4-6 lane divided arterial

SR 23/First Coast Expressway

Clay/St. Johns County Line Interstate 95 New Toll Road

SR A1A Mickler Road Palm Valley Road Widen to 4 lanes

SR 16 International Golf Parkway S. Francis Road Widen to 4 lanes

SR 207 Interstate 95 South Holmes Boulevard Widen to 6 lanes SR 312 US 1 SR A1A Widen to 6 lanes SR 313 SR 207 SR 16 New 6 Lane Road SR 313 SR 16 US 1 New 4 Lane Road

SR 9B Duval/St. Johns County Line CR 2209 New Road

SR A1A @ Red Cox Dr Coquina Rd Intersection Improvements


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Roadway From To Capacity Improvement

US 1 at CR 210 Modify interchange US 1B Kings St US 1 Ponce de Leon Blvd Avenida Menendez Context Sensitive Solutions US 1B San Marco Ave Bridge of Lions SR 16 Context Sensitive Solutions West Payton Parkway Race Track Road SR 9B New Road

Southeast Commuter Rail Downtown St. Augustine

Source: North Florida TPO, 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Cost Feasible Plan Projects within St. Johns County. (Note: The SR 9B extension from the Duval/St. Johns County Line to CR 2209 is not in the LRTP cost feasible plan as it was already committed for construction during the LRTP’s development.)

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