Development Tracker
Freeport is growing fast — and if you drive Highway 331 regularly, you’ve noticed. Cranes, new turn lanes, fresh subdivision signs, and a lot more traffic. This tracker is your field guide to what’s being built, where, and what it means for the folks who already live here.
What This Page Covers
The development tracker pulls together active and upcoming projects across Freeport, from large residential subdivisions to commercial parcels and infrastructure work. We update it as projects move through planning, break ground, or open their doors.
Active Projects
Residential
| Project | Location | Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owl’s Head / The Nest | Hwy 331 corridor | Single-family homes | Active / Selling | 219+ homes by Valor Communities. Phased buildout with amenity center and resort-style pool. Homes from the $290s–$460s. |
| Cross Creek | Freeport | Single-family homes | Active / Selling | Lennar community. 3–4 bed homes starting around $317K. Everything’s Included builds. |
| The Waters at Freeport | 185 Marquis Way | Luxury apartments | Open | 226-unit luxury apartment community near Pilcher Park. 1–3 bedroom units. |
| The Madison | Owl’s Head area | Apartments | In development | 1–3 bedroom apartments in the Owl’s Head mixed-use corridor. |
| Bishop’s Landing | Freeport | Apartments | In development | 162-unit apartment project designed to meet growing local demand. |
| The Oaks at Freeport | Freeport | Apartments | In development | 128-unit apartment complex in the planning pipeline. |
| The Exchange at Owl’s Head | Owl’s Head | Mixed-use | In development | 300+ unit residential and commercial development. |
Commercial & Retail
| Project | Location | Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Supercenter | 96 acres, south of Hwy 20 on west side of 331 | Big-box retail | Planning / Review | ~175,000 sq ft with fuel station. City completed technical review; awaiting Walmart’s tree mitigation plan. 20-ish acres set aside as natural preserve. |
| Roberts Commerce Park | Business Hwy 331 | Office/warehouse/flex | Nearing completion | Class A retail/flex development. Occupancy available starting Q1 2026. Fronting Business 331 with access to Hwy 20 and I-10. |
| Register Farm Market | Hwy 20 | Grocery/cafe | Open | Health foods and cafe on the main east-west corridor. |
Infrastructure
| Project | Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hwy 331 Widening & Bridge Improvements | Road/bridge | Active | Walton County and state-funded improvements to handle growing traffic volume. |
| Hwy 331 South Wastewater Project | Utilities | Active | ~$6M interlocal agreement with the county for sewer expansion along the 331 South corridor. |
| New Turn Lanes & Traffic Signals | Road | Active | City adding turn lanes, red lights, and planning for a future highway bypass to ease congestion. |
| Freeport Community Center | Public facility | Under construction | State-of-the-art community center slated for completion later this year. |
| Freeport Living History Park | Parks | In development | Updated boat launch, bathrooms, boat slips, and gazebo at the bayou area. |
Why So Much Growth?
Freeport sits at the crossroads of two major trends:
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South Walton is full. Beach towns like Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, and WaterColor have limited land and high prices. Families and retirees looking for more space and lower costs are pushing north up Hwy 331.
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I-10 access + 30A proximity. Freeport is roughly 20 minutes from the beaches and right on the I-10 corridor. That combination is rare in Northwest Florida.
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A-rated schools. Walton County schools hold A+ ratings, and the county ranks #2 in Florida for graduation rates. The new Freeport Middle School opened in late 2024 to handle the influx of families.
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Infrastructure investment. The city has kept its millage rate steady at 4.7302 while adding mosquito control, code enforcement, road improvements, and sewer expansion.
What This Means for Residents
Traffic: Hwy 331 is going to get busier before it gets better. The widening project and new turn lanes will help, but expect growing pains — especially during morning and evening commute times.
Housing costs: New construction is bringing more inventory, but prices are rising. Entry-level homes in new communities start in the low $300s, which is still below beach-town pricing but up from a few years ago.
Local services: More residents mean more demand for grocery, dining, and medical options. The Walmart — if it moves forward — would be the first big-box retailer in the city and a significant convenience for residents currently driving to DeFuniak Springs or Santa Rosa Beach.
Small-town feel: Freeport’s leadership has emphasized maintaining community identity. The “Anchored in Freeport” public art initiative, new parks, and events like Bayfest and the Christmas Parade are part of keeping the town’s character intact while it grows.
How to Stay Informed
- City meetings: City Council and Planning Board meetings are held at City Hall (112 Hwy 20 West). Agendas and minutes are posted on the City of Freeport website.
- Walton County Planning: The county’s Project Review Map shows active developments across the county.
- This tracker: We’ll update this page as projects move forward. Check back or follow the Development category for the latest.
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Have a tip about a new project? Something we missed? Reach out through our Contact page.