Redevelopment could come to key spot in Arlington

Redevelopment could be coming to a key area in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood.

Four parcels of land are now up for sale at a shopping center that falls within the city's Renew Arlington Community Redevelopment Area.

The four spots at the Town & Country Shopping Center border the Arlington Expressway, near its intersection with University Boulevard North.

The 2015 Renew Arlington Redevelopment Plan calls it a "catalytic gateway" to and from downtown.

“It’s depressing,” said Francesca Roccosalvo, who lives around the corner from the shopping center.

“It’s called Town & Country and it’s just, you know, like, deserted. It’s awful.”

The 71-year-old relies on the shopping center’s Dollar General for groceries.

"I don't have a car. So, it means a lot to me that I can get somewhere easily," said Roccosalvo.
The shopping center is in Councilwoman Joyce Morgan's district.

“We’re looking for something that’s major, that makes a statement about Arlington,” Morgan said.

Action News Jax asked Morgan why people who don’t live in Arlington are affected by redevelopment there.

“Because it is the gateway. Everything meshes with everything else, just like we’re working on downtown development. Downtown development spills over into our neighborhoods,” Morgan said.

Morgan said, adding that she’d like to see a mix of housing and businesses there.

Prime Realty Senior Vice President Matthew Clark said his company hopes to attract quick-service restaurants and medical offices, like an urgent care clinic or a dentist, to the empty parcels of land.

“I think there are more down-to-earth things to consider. Like, maybe, an actual grocery store,” Roccosalvo said.

Clark said Prime Realty is trying to bring big national chains to the shopping center’s vacant buildings.

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