MountainStar Partners and St. Johns Housing Partnership Commemorates Patriot Place
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (September 19, 2023) – – MountainStar Partners and the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) along with St. Johns County, the City of St. Augustine and Flagler Health+ recently commemorated the long-awaited Patriot Place.
Patriot Place comprises six new, low-income housing for at-risk and homeless veterans in St. Johns County. The event, which included tours of the nearly complete units, was held in advance of veterans moving into their new homes.
“For years, our local veterans’ office has struggled to help local veterans who need clean, safe housing to remain living in St. Johns County,” said St. Johns Housing Partnership Executive Director Bill Lazar. “Patriot Place provides a level of case management and stability for our residents to get back on their feet. We thank them for their service and stand by them while they integrate back into our community.”
Patriot Place, at 79 Masters Drive in St. Augustine, is a collaboration between MountainStar Partners, a real estate investor and developer, the St. Johns Housing Partnership and St. Johns County to address the county’s critical need for housing for at-risk and homeless veterans. The unique partnership resulted from a request from the county to develop four residences.
“This day is so special for me and the team at MountainStar Partners,” said Chris Lazzara, CEO of MountainStar. “Local veterans and heroes deserve our respect and Patriot Place is just one way we honor their service. Commemorating Patriot Place so they can move in their new homes is a dream come true for our organization.”
Patriot Place marks the first time in St. Johns County that a density credit exchange for low-income housing was created and housing delivered to the community. Former St. Johns County Development Services Director Suzanne Konchan conceived the original idea for Patriot Place and St. Johns County Commissioners Roy Alaimo and Henry Dean helped Patriot Place become reality.
Patriot Place was constructed by World Island Builders and designed by Architect Bryan McCloskey. The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certified Patriot Place as a “Florida Green” facility. Bo Strange and Lovely Loo and the Snodgrass Family Foundation donated additional funds, time and materials. Financial partner Ameris Bank financed the construction. Solar was donated by Everybody Solar, JinkoSolar and Synergy Solar. For more information contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership at (904) 824-0902 or [email protected].
