Neptune Beach bracing for redevelopment throughout the city

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – News4JAX is learning more about new developments in Neptune Beach.

There is a lot of talk about what is going to happen to the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn and the old Kmart.

A big talker already in the works is redeveloping the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn and Lemon Bar.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan bought this property, and there are plans to remake all of it into a private club, along with a new hotel with boutique restaurants, a spa, maybe some retail.

Then there is that lingering question that’s been asked for many years now. What is the fate of the site of the old K Mart?

News4JAX covered several stories over the years about original plans to turn the site into apartments and a hotel. Both were rejected.

One half of the building is already seeing some new life.

Developers converted the right side of the property into a boutique, grocery store, a Japanese restaurant, nail salon, and a Pilates studio.

Nothing is official just yet for the other side, but some ideas that have come up recently include additional retail, a restaurant, a brewery and possibly a hotel.

News4JAX spoke with Heather Whitmore, who is Neptune Beach’s community development director, about all the plans on the horizon.

She said the focus needs to be on what is best for families and communities as the plans take shape.

“We are a community of residential folks and schools,” Whitmore said. “That is going to be the key. All of the redevelopment that we bring in is going to meet the needs of the community, and everybody’s going to feel comfortable, staying here and remaining in place in their residential community.”

Other projects include a new office building being built in front of Jarboe Park, similar to one that was added a few blocks away on Third Street last year.

Whitmore says the new building will reignite visions for the park. She expects some new amenities to be added to the park for children and bikers in the future.

A Chipotle Mexican Grill is taking the spot where BurgerFi used to be on Atlantic Boulevard.

A 7 Brew Coffee shop is on the way not too far away. It will be built near the Winn-Dixie, possibly by the end of 2025.

The last significant project is happening at the notable five-way intersection at Florida Boulevard and Penman Road.

It is turning into a roundabout that will come with pedestrian beacons.

All of that is a part of a larger Penman Road project aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.

The project also includes the addition of several other roundabouts along Penman Road.

It is the same intersection where a 15-year-old was hit by a car while riding his bike home from a Fletcher High School homecoming game in October 2024, according to the Neptune Beach Police Department.

He died at a hospital shortly after.

Police say he went through the crosswalk on Penman Road when a driver going north hit him.