Jacksonville Landing tenants receive eviction notices

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “June 1, it’s over we will not be down here anymore,” said Dixon. “I’m a little upset, it’s a lot of promises, no delivery.”

It’s the same sentiment shared by NAIWBE spa owner, Sylvia Walker.

“I still do not have any communication from the city as far as direction, a transition plan,” said Walker.

Michelle Rhoades, whose jewelry store Hanna & Her Sister, has been at the landing for 32 years, feels like the city is making things difficult.

“They’ve also taken away our parking privileges that we do pay monthly for,” said Rhoades.

As Action News Jax was speaking with Walker, she got a phone call from Councilman Reggie Gaffney, so we caught up with him afterwards.

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“We do have incentive money for those individuals that’s looking to relocate their business, all they got to do is ask,” said Gaffney.

Problem is the tenants Action News Jax spoke with, were not aware of that option.

“How will you make sure that they know this is what they need to do?” asked Lorena Inclan.

“I have several that have already called me, and I know that’s not all, I’m going to have my office reach out to real estate today and get a list of every tenant that’s there now,” said Gaffney.

The mayor’s spokesperson, Nikki Kimbleton, said the city gave tenants ample notice, dating back to March 28 and they’ll continue to work with them.

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“The chief of real estate with COJ will be helping with relocation and talking with each tenant individually to determine their needs,” said Kimbleton.

The city has also provided the current tenants with a list of available real estate in downtown.

“They did send me a listing of available places down here but it’s just not comparable to what we have here,” said Rhoades.

For tenants whose livelihoods are tied to their business, this transition won’t be easy.

“I don’t know where the future lies, I really don’t,” said Rhoades.

But Dixon is trying to stay positive.

“You know one door closes, another opens,” said Dixon.

Cox Media Group