Community First Credit Union to Build Expansion Branch at Boulevard Crossing

Credit union closes on land deal at the redevelopment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 29, 2021 – Community First Credit Union has closed on a land deal to buy 1.22 acres at Boulevard Crossing, the outparcel redevelopment project at the former site of Kmart at 5689 Beach Blvd. The sale closed on Dec. 28.

The property is slated to become Community First’s 20th branch office, strategically situated between its Lakewood and Arlington Branches, two of its highest volume locations. Plans for the branch are still being finalized, but the project will be new construction and is platted for a drive-thru and approximately 2,500 square feet. Construction will begin in mid-2022.

This is Community First’s first new location since it built its freestanding expansion location in Oakleaf, which opened in 2018. Christian Harden, NAI Hallmark managing partner, represented Community First in the transaction.

“We are excited to plan an expansion branch for this important commuter corridor and thriving neighborhood,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. “Boulevard Crossing is an excellent in-fill development and we’re proud to bring the credit union’s services to this area.”  

The 8-acre strategic retail center redevelopment is a partnership between Hallmark Partners and NAI Hallmark and includes the outparcel sites fronting the former Kmart building. Boulevard Crossing has been under redevelopment since 2019 and includes a newly constructed freestanding Starbucks with a drive-thru and a prototype McDonald’s with two drive-thru lanes. McDonald’s has been at the site for more than 40 years and Starbuck’s moved from its smaller in-line location in the center across the street.

Hallmark Partners says the site is located on one of the most trafficked road and intersection in Jacksonville. The center is near Memorial Hospital and the new Brooks Rehabilitation Center campus and the new Helen’s House.

The new branch is part of the credit union’s Branch Transformation Project, the credit union’s comprehensive branch upgrade which seeks to improve member service by configuring the offices to create a more modern retail experience. The new branch interiors feature several upgrades including an open floor plan, a warm, welcoming environment and advanced self-service technologies.

Named “Credit Union of the Year” (2020, large asset category) by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions 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 the state, serving more than 155,000 members with assets of $2.4 billion. Community First has 19 locations and 355 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.