JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — City council has pumped the brakes on an incentive package sought by Gateway Jax for its downtown project that would include a Publix grocery store for 30 days.
The developer, Gateway Jax, is seeking $49 million from the city, including $28 million in the form of a completion grant.
“We don’t have that money,” said Council President Nick Howland (R-Group 3 At-Large).
Howland explained that’s due in part to the fact that the city council is already planning to spend up to $28 million out of the $30 million downtown fund on the planned Culinary Institute of America campus.
He said he expects the Downtown Investment Authority and Gateway Jax to spend the next few weeks hammering out a new deal less reliant on cash incentives, because there simply isn’t a way to make both deals work as they’re currently structured.
“Other possibilities could be low-interest rate loans or a future tax rebate. I’ve also toyed with an opportunity of private money coming in and helping pay completion grants in return for a discount from the city on their future taxes,” said Howland. “So, we’re looking at more creative ways, given the fiscal constraints we have, to get some of those developments that everyone thinks are good ideas done.”
Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll said he’s optimistic a new deal will be reached and passed without causing any delays.
“Our goal, so long as we’re able to walk out of city council by the end of September with a plan, is to have shovels in the ground, have the building down and shovels in the ground late this year, which will allow us to deliver the whole project including Publix by the holidays of 2028,” said Moll.
The mayor’s office described the Gateway Jax project as “critical for continuing Downtown Jacksonville’s forward momentum”.
“Any discussions about improvements to the development agreement are positive and welcome steps forward. We remain committed to this vital project and will work with all involved parties to keep it moving forward,” said a spokesperson with the mayor’s office in an emailed statement.
And Councilmember Jimmy Peluso (D-District 7) argued striking a new deal is a must, as the addition of a downtown grocer is seen as a pivotal piece of making all the other downtown developments work.
“If we’re going to build stuff downtown, we need to have it be an ecosystem where you’ve got customers and residents right nearby to kind of keep these places alive and well,” said Peluso.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
