President's Letter

Keller Williams Commerical Realtor - FL

DDG Strategic Managing Broker - IL

D.Griebel@kwcommercial.com

DDGstrategic@gmail.com

630-205-1803

First, Daniel addressed our questions about the possibility of Costco, Trader Joe's and other favorite retailers coming to our area.  Daniel explained that these major retail corporations use complex criteria to determine locations of future stores. Population numbers and demographics such as age, families vs singles, income levels, occupations, and factors such as availability of infrastructure -water, wastewater, roads; projected growth of the area, proximity of other retailers or industries, local laws, site availability, ease of access, local tax structures and incentives, and many other factors. Each corporation has their own set of criteria and priorities. These criteria and priorities, as well as any future plans, are closely held secrets, due to competition from others in the industry and facts such as inflated land prices in an area known to be considered. Local development and building authorities are also reluctant to reveal any proposals or discussions until approvals have been finalized. So it is very hard to predict when and where a new store might become a reality.

• Retail- Rumors: Costco is analyzing sites in proximity of Pecan Park Interchange; options include (east) proposed 995-acre development or (west) 112-acre site
• Publix is negotiating with Landlords to expand their Sadler Rd presence (It is speculated that Publix intends to place a Publix-branded specialty grocery (similar to a Trader Joe's) in this at this new site).
• Ground-up Mixed Use Development (land sq ft and visibility will dictate end use) will continue along AlA between Amelia Island and 1-95
• Hospitality - Marriott acquired two existing Amelia Island Hotels - Gateway Blvd stalled project has resumed construction - land site south of Atlantic on Fletcheris in Planning stages
• Medical Office - Baptist Health System will break ground along AlA/William Burgess Rd and complete an adaptive redevelopment of movie theater into Medical Office at 14th & Lime St - Mayo Clinic has broken ground on $233,000,000 Oncology focused expansion off San Pablo Rd - UF continues to plan for changing demographics in Nassau and Northern Duval Counties
• Office - Nationally Office attendance continues to drop -- Blackstone ends loan payments (1.5 million sq ft development - Las Vegas) -Altus sold office portfolio purchased at $45-million at a profit of $12-million (7 year hold) -Corporations continue to analyze productivity comparing remote & in office attendance
• Industrial-Jacksonville will remain a Regional Logistics Hub with access to 1/3 of the United States population via CSX Rail, Ports and Interstate Highway systems

Daniel will be happy to address any specific questions or real estate needs that you might have. Feel free to email or call him at the address or number above.

I want to address the recent price increase for our luncheons at Amelia National Clubhouse and the Board's decision to continue our luncheons at Amelia National for 2023.  First, I would point out that there are limited venues in the area that can accommodate a group of our size.  While $32 may initially seem a bit high for lunch, we have contacted several other venues and none could beat or even meet this price, and several were significantly more.

If you have been grocery shopping lately, you know that the cost of food has increased significantly recently. Many restaurants have had to increase their prices.  This affects the kitchen here as well. I would also point out that Amelia National provides a three course luncheon, with appetizer - salad or soup - entree with a side dish, bread, iced tea, desert and coffee.  If you went to any nice restaurant and ordered salad, bread, entree, side dish, tea, desert with coffee, then add tax and tip, your tab would easily be $32 or even more. And the quality of the food here at Amelia National is top notch - I have not had more delicious food any where for any price!

The $32 also includes value beyond just the food.  An elegant white tablecloth dining room in a beautiful setting. The room is spacious and doesn't feel crowded even for our largest gathering.  Amelia National provides the room at no cost, as well as amenities such as the microphone and speakers, large tv for presentations, extra tables for our program, champagne glasses if needed - most venues charge extra for the room as well as these other amenities.  The room is quiet and private to facilitate our pre-lunch business meeting, for socializing and making new friends during the luncheon (one of our organization's main goals), and for presentation of our programs.  The service is always professional, prompt and friendly.  To add more value, the meals will now be plated and served to your table for the remainder of 2023. 

So at first I thought $32 - yikes.  Then I thought about what is included with that - not only a delicious meal with DESERT, but I get to participate in my club's business meeting, socialize with my girlfriends and meet new friends, and receive an informative and/or fun program, all in a lovely and elegant setting.  Oh, and with convenient and plentiful free parking! Wow - $32 is a bargain!

If you are concerned about the price increase for lunch, I would ask that you consider these thoughts about the value that you would receive for $32.  We would love to have you join us again for future luncheons!

Thank you for listening and I hope to see you at our future luncheons!

Lynda Watson

WON Vice-President for Luncheons

Below is the proposed 2023 Board for Women of Nassau. The organization will vote on the incoming board at the November Luncheon with installation of the new officers taking place at the December Luncheon. Please make every effort to attend the November luncheon and participate in the voting process.

Our Executive Officers are: 

President: Dawn Bostwick - wonpresident@gmail.com

Vice President – Luncheons: Lynda Watson - lyndanamelia@gmail.com

Treasurer: Laurie Laiken - laurielaiken@outlook.com

Recording Secretary: Nancy Gallimore -  nancygallimore1@gmail.com    

Corresponding Secretary/Webmaster: Donna Williams - utvolsgovols@gmail.com

Past President: Joy Kemp - joykemp@earthlink.net

Our Executive Committee Chairs are:

Activities Chair: Celia Gravely - cegrav@yahoo.com

Ways and Means Chair: Charlene Kingsnorth - ckheller@comcast.net

Publicity: 

Newsletter Chair: Barbara Dennis - barbarathenurse@comcast.net

Membership Chair: Gay Dunlop - gaynoradunlop@gmail.com

Philanthropy Chairs:  Bonnie Bartlett - talleybabs@yahoo.com; Marie Larson -    claudinehart91@gmail.com