Community First Credit Union Breaks Ground at Boulevard Crossing
Credit union to build its 21st branch at shopping center being revitalized
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 29, 2023 – Community First Credit Union, one of Florida’s largest credit unions serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast, announces the start of construction of its 21st branch, located at Boulevard Crossing at 5617 Beach Blvd. Boulevard Crossing and adjacent retail centers are undergoing major improvements and re-tenanting to better serve Southside and Englewood. Community First held a groundbreaking at the site on Wednesday with its architecture firm TTV Architects and its construction partner Auld & White Constructors.
The 2,640-square-foot branch will feature two drive-thru lanes, two ATMs (drive-up and walk-up), and a night deposit in a micro-development. Community First purchased the 1.22-acre outparcel site in December 2021, and construction is expected to be complete in early 2024.
The new branch is strategically located along a busy commuter corridor in Jacksonville and will serve over 21,000 Community First members who live within five miles of the shopping center. The site is between two of Community First's busiest branches in Arlington and Lakewood. The Boulevard Crossing branch will feature Community First's new interior and exterior designs, including an open floorplan, upgraded digital technologies, and a historical mural depicting the history of the Southside.
"We are proud to be a part of the revitalization at Boulevard Crossing," said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. "This branch will fill a large gap in services and is an integral part of how we better serve our members. Expanding our branch network is key to helping our members live their best lives.”
The Boulevard Crossing branch is part of Community First's largest one-time investment in its branch network. The credit union recently opened its relocated Mandarin Branch in Mandarin Station and started construction at its 20th branch at Northpoint Village (at New Berlin and Yellow Bluff Roads). The credit union's Branch Transformation Project is its comprehensive branch upgrade which improves member service with spaces that provide a modern retail experience.
The eight-acre strategic retail center redevelopment at Boulevard Crossing is a partnership of Hallmark Partners and NAI Hallmark and includes the outparcel sites fronting the former Kmart. Boulevard Crossing has been in redevelopment since 2019 and includes a freestanding Starbucks with a drive-thru and a prototype McDonald's. McDonald's has been at the site for more than 40 years, and Starbucks moved from its smaller in-line location across the street. The development also includes Wingstop, AT&T Store, Deca Dental, and Chipotle.
Community First Credit Union of Florida is a state-chartered credit union based in Jacksonville serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast. Community First is one of the largest credit unions in Florida with $2.5 billion in assets and serving 170,000 members. Community First has 19 locations and nearly 400 employees. A not-for-profit, Community First is a full-service financial institution offering banking, loans, mortgages and investments for consumers and businesses across the First Coast.
