College Drive Initiative Updates

• January 2025: The College Drive Visioning and Strategic Development Charrette was completed and presented to the Board of County Commissioners.You can download and view the College Drive Visioning and Strategic Development Charrette Presentation and the Action Plan Report.

• July 2024: The Board of County Commissioners selected Kimley-Horn as the consultant for the College Drive Charrette to refine recommendations from a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) study  conducted by the Urban Land Institute of North Florida (ULI). This effort included stakeholder meetings, surveys, and public engagement.

• December 2022: The Board approved the Technical Assistance Panel to develop a long-term plan for enhancing the socioeconomic trajectory, livability, and mobility of the 2.5-mile College Drive corridor from Blanding Boulevard to County Road 220. 

• December 2021: The Board officially embraced the College Drive Initiative, and moved into the conceptual planning phase. The community can join us in shaping this vision—reach out at collegedriveinitiative@gmail.com or follow on social media for updates and upcoming events. 

History of the College Drive Initiative

The College Drive Initiative was launched in November 2020 to harness the synergy of local nonprofits, businesses, and community stakeholders. With the Thrasher-Horne Center as a cultural hub, the initiative aimed to proactively shape the corridor’s future.

Throughout 2021, deliberative forums, devised through the Kettering Foundation, took place. More than 150 Clay County citizens, nonprofit organizations, Clay County staff, St. Johns River State College, Thrasher-Horne, and local business owners worked together to envision the future of College Drive. Monthly steering group meetings, a segment of the Clay County Safety Net Alliance monthly meeting, and seven deliberative forums in August and October resulted in several emerging outcomes:

Destination - College Drive has the potential to become a destination, not only for higher education and providing for the community’s critical needs but also as a place where residents and visitors come to socialize with family and friends and enjoy entertainment and eating establishments. More than a thoroughfare, people envision College Drive as a nucleus of community life in north-central Clay County.

Public Education - Educating residents and county citizens about the wealth of human services and educational resources on College Drive is an important first step for community leaders and stakeholders to create a brand identity for College Drive.

Safety and Aesthetics - Deliberators strongly believe the road requires intersection improvements, low-maintenance landscaping, and safe pedestrian and bike lanes. Many felt a master plan, overlay district, or design plan would help guide future College Drive improvements.

Community Events - Gathering the community on a regular basis to enjoy food truck events and other festivities is a key staple to strong community ties.