Where we are in the process
The overall plan for Wildlight, established in collaboration with Nassau County, is known as the East Nassau Community Planning Area (ENCPA) sector plan. This plan was approved by the County and the Florida State Legislature in 2011, and it established in broad strokes the overall design for the Wildlight community. Within the sector plan, two Detailed Specific Area Plans or DSAPs, create a more detailed plan for development. The first DSAP was approved by the County in 2013, paving the way for development to begin on the initial phase of Wildlight in 2016. The second DSAP is in the final stages of the approval process. The second DSAP was approved in late 2023.
DSAP1
The initial phase of Wildlight, with its 4,000 acres along I-95 and Highway 17, includes a wide variety of housing. Yet it is also where most of Wildlight’s office and retail space is emerging. The part of DSAP1 that has been under development since 2016 is called the Town District.
DSAP2
If approved by the County, the second major area of Wildlight will not only provide a wider range of housing over several decades, it will create public access to thousands of acres of natural wetlands and uplands.
THE GARDEN DISTRICT
This is the first piece of DSAP2 to be developed. With a variety of homes as well as unique outdoor gathering places and a trail leading all the way to the St Marys River, the Garden District is planned to break ground in 2025, with sales anticipated in 2026.
FUTURE
Detailed Specific Area Plans have not yet been created for these parcels, but they are expected to include a mix of residential, retail, dining, office and industry.
2007
Nassau County engages Rayonier to help with growth plan
2011
State and County approve ENCPA sector plan
2013
DSAP1 is approved
2016
Wildlight breaks ground in the Town District
2017
East NassauStewardship District createdWildlight Elementary School opensRayonier Corporate Headquarters and first model homes open
2019
UF Health medical center opens
2020
YMCA opens
2021
Wildlight Commerce Park breaks ground
2022
Del Webb 55+ neighborhood opensPublix Super Market opens
2023
DSAP2 approved
2024
DSAP2 scheduled to break ground in the Garden District
Delivering on the promise
The plan for Town District included an ambitious list of initial goals. Since 2016, Wildlight has fully lived up to its commitments and then some.
Created a village center of retailers, restaurants and offices to catalyze investment and economic development
Established an innovative mix of multiple types of complementary residential, commercial and civic uses
Created a new and significant social gathering point for community events and activities
Established a higher design standard for planning and architecture
Helped beautify Nassau County’s “front door”
Collaborated to complete SR200 widening to six-lanes including Interstate 95 diverging diamond interchange
Developed the infrastructure needed to transition raw forestland to community (e.g. water, sewer, power, communications, access)
Worked with A-rated Nassau District Schools to provide land for a new elementary school
Led the office relocation market by establishing Rayonier Corporate Headquarters in Wildlight
Attracted significant investment project partners (eg University of Florida, Florida Public Utilities, Publix)
What’s here
Within a short span of years, the first part of Wildlight has grown into a diverse, walkable mix of elements.
500+
single-family homes and apartments planned
1.9k homes under development
700+
jobs created
300+ jobs in the pipeline
UF Health medical center
YMCA
Rayonier Corporate Headquarters
Publix Super Market
6
eateries and counting
1
elementary school
2
early learning centers
12+
miles of trails
137
acres of parks
2.1k
acres of conservation land
Contact Us
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