Ruckel Properties has broken ground on the newest community in Niceville, an 1100-acre project featuring single family homes, a biking path and trail system, parks, village center, shops, restaurants, entertainment and more.
Marion Ruckel Skalicky, President and CEO of Ruckel Properties, said she hopes to create a community where people can live, work, shop, take advantage of entertainment and enjoy nature.
“We are very excited to be bringing this new community to our area,” she said. “We hope that future residents and visitors alike will enjoy the paved nature trail along the creek. We will encourage school field trips to learn about the natural environment. We have a deep appreciation for this beautiful piece of property and look forward to sharing it.”
The development’s first phase will feature 98 single-family lots. Infrastructure is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2017. According to Ruckel Properties, the lots will range in size and price point. There will be interior lots and lots that back up to the future trail system. The trail will be paved and follow the path of the creek so that every neighborhood will eventually have a connection to the trail and creek as the development progresses.
A planned bike path looping around the property along the main road will add to the choices for walking and biking. Residents will enjoy parks, gazebo, and a natural amphitheater in the first phase as they are constructed. Future amenities for the entire development will also include community centers and pools.
A mixed-use development, the 1100-acre community concept includes a village center with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The commercial area that will be accessed from Walt Spence Parkway is envisioned to have a hotel, grocery store, gas station, bank, restaurants, stores, offices, etc. A “light industrial” center in the northeast section of the property has the potential to have advanced manufacturing, light assembly, science and technology firms, defense contractors, etc.
Ruckel Properties says its goal is to facilitate job creation for the area.
The property is bounded on the north by Eglin Air Force Base, on the east by Walt Spence Parkway, on the south by Rocky Bayou Drive, and the west by Forest Road. The property has a private, limited-use, grass airstrip on the western edge parallel to Forest Road. The property was annexed into the City of Niceville in 2010.
Ruckel Properties’ first phase is located in the southeast corner of the property north of Huntington subdivision. For more information, call Kelly Murphy-Redd at Ruckel Properties at 850-678-2223. Visit Ruckel Properties website at www.ruckelproperties.com.
PHOTO (top): Left to Right: Allen Tucker: Gustin, Cothern and Tucker, Inc.; Kelly Murphy-Redd: Ruckel Properties, Inc.; Matt Schwalb: Matrix Design Group; Marion Ruckel Skalicky, Ruckel Properties, Inc.; Matt Zinke, Jenkins Engineering/GCT Engineering; Vern Young, Young’s Contracting.
