JAXPORT lands $40 million for Berth 32, Baptist Health adds two pediatric clinics, and a grocery anchored center moves ahead

JAXPORT wins $40 million to rebuild Berth 32 at Blount IslandThe port was awarded the grant through the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. The project will rebuild approximately 900 feet of berth, increase its load bearing capacity and upgrade infrastructure supporting cargo operations. The award is part of $498 million announced for 35 port projects across 19 states. JAXPORT CEO Eric Green said the investment builds on recent public and private investments to expand the port’s capabilities, strengthen cargo connections serving the Southeast U.S. and Puerto Rico, and enhance its role as a U.S. Strategic Seaport. JAXPORT announced the award Oct. 29. Source: JAXPORT, Oct. 29, 2026

Baptist Health adds two pediatric clinicsPediatric Care Centers of Jacksonville Beach and Southside joined the Baptist Health network Nov. 1 and are now Baptist Jacksonville Beach Pediatrics and Baptist Southside Pediatrics. Patients can still see their regular care teams at 274 Third Ave. S. in Jacksonville Beach and 8990 RG Skinner Parkway. Baptist Health executive Eric Fletcher said the move builds a more connected pediatric system tied to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The Fleming Island Pediatric Care Centers office is not part of the deal and remains a Pediatric Care Centers location, part of Privia Medical Group. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 2, 2026

A grocery anchored center in St. Johns County gets biggerJEA issued a service availability letter Oct. 29 for Helow Commercial Center at Veterans Parkway and County Road 210 West. Site plans now show a 94,850 square foot plaza with a 74,000 square foot grocery anchor, up from a 61,000 square foot anchor in plans reviewed in November 2025. The plans also include an attached 10,840 square foot retail component, two 5,000 square foot retail spaces, four outparcels and a 1.12 acre site for a fueling station. The grocer has not been named. Publix and Winn-Dixie previously confirmed they are not part of the project, and it has not moved beyond the county’s development review process. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 2, 2026

Marshtackie Florida Cafe opens in downtown Hastings Nov. 6Jennifer Ashton, owner of Juniper Market in St. Augustine, plans a ribbon cutting at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 6 for her new cafe at 420 N. Main St., during the town’s Fall Harvest Festival. The 3,600 square foot building, which she bought in 2023 and renovated, seats 42 inside, with patio seating planned. The menu includes all day breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches and smashburgers. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 2, 2026

European Street Cafe eyes an opening around the new year at Riverfront PlazaOwner Andy Zarka said the Downtown cafe at 2 Independent Drive W. is expected to open around the beginning of the year. It will be a fast casual spot with no servers, grab and go sandwiches, about 25 seats inside and probably 20 picnic style outdoor tables, and it will open earlier than the other locations with more coffee and breakfast items. Zarka put the buildout cost at $550,000 in early October. The business started in Riverside in 1992 and has no further expansion plans on the table for now. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Cuatro Tacos Y Tequila is permitted at Hodges Pointe PlazaThe city issued a $150,000 permit for a 4,176 square foot tenant buildout at 13500 Beach Blvd., No. 46, for Cuatro Tacos Y Tequila. The same Oct. 30 permit list includes a $1.45 million project at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital to create five labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms and a nurse station, and a $2.33 million office addition for J.B. Coxwell Contracting at 6741 Lloyd Road. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Al Mansur buys the property under Coop 303 for $3.5 millionThrough 303 Atlantic LLC, the Jacksonville restaurateur bought 303 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach on Oct. 26 from Junk Property LLC, according to a deed recorded Oct. 28. Mansur said he built Coop 303 in 2018 and it made sense to own the property after investing in it. There are no new plans for the site, which is near The Corner where Atlantic and Neptune beaches meet. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 2, 2026

Ponte Vedra Beach leads the week’s top home sales at $4.9 millionThe Daily Record’s list of the top 10 single family sales recorded Oct. 19 to 25 in Northeast Florida was led by 21 Roscoe Blvd. N., a 7,628 square foot home on 0.92 acre that sold for $4.9 million to Heritage Land and Cattle LLC. Second was 24744 Harbour View Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach at $4.8 million, up from $3.25 million when it sold in 2018. The top Duval County sale was 14242 River Story Drive in Jacksonville at $4.575 million. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 2, 2026