Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, adding people to its population daily. That means even small towns like Live Oak are seeing an influx of new people. With that influx of new people comes new businesses, including the new Tidal Wave Car Wash. This new opportunity is already under construction on U.S. Highway 129 North and is expected to serve the citizens of Live Oak and the surrounding area soon.
The construction permits for Tidal Wave were issued on Friday, Aug. 8, and the company wasted no time getting started. “To my understanding, they have already started site work and alterations in conjunction with the permits issued,” Live Oak Development Director George Curtis said. Of course, just because construction has started doesn't mean an official end date is in sight; many things can complicate the construction process.
Curtis was asked how the City of Live Oak felt about another business being added to its purview, and he said, “The City is excited to see continued growth along the northern US-129 corridor. All of this property to the north of the original City limits, old John's Lawn Equipment and Suwannee Insurance Agency, was voluntarily annexed into the City limits in the early 2000s. Over the subsequent years, we have seen gradual growth taking place on those lands,” Curtis said. “The Tidal Wave Auto Spa will be the latest and greatest addition to a growing west-side US-129 corridor, which includes Popeyes, Highway 55 (or their successor), Chick-fil-A and an under-construction Ellianos Coffee drive-thru. With the new Hampton Inn Hotel across from Wal-Mart, the new Wawa in front of Lowe's, and other anticipated developments, this I-10 exit area will most certainly continue to grow with new commercial, residential and recreational uses. In the mid to late 2000s, the City usually processed two to three new developments per year. Now, it is common to have 10-plus projects in review, permits or construction all at the same time.”
The new Tidal Wave will be located at 1833 Ohio Ave. N, directly next to the new Chick-fil-A on the north side. There will be two ways to access the new facility: from the west side access road next to Economy Motors off of 72nd Trace, and through the same entrance off U.S. Hwy 129 Chik-fil-A uses.
