Publix in San Marco project on hold

[Tacachale]

Remember the plans for a Publix supermarket in San Marco?

Merchants and residents of the neighborhood sure do.

After city signs went up informing passersby of an upcoming public hearing for the property, San Marco business owner Forrest Brewer got five calls that day from people wanting to know what he'd heard.

"They were just hoping it meant they were going to get started with building it," said Brewer, who owns the Wardroom and is a member of San Marco's merchant association and its preservation society. "This has been going on for a long time and people are really ready."

As it turned out, the reason for the signs offered both disappointment and reassurance.

The developer, a partnership led by St. Joe, is asking the City Council to approve an agreement that would give East San Marco LLC the right to reserve some traffic capacity on nearby roads for the project. The plan still calls for a Publix plus space for other retailers, along with 160 condominiums at the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard.

But dirt won't be turned any time soon.

The development agreement would give East San Marco LLC seven years to get the first phase - containing 57,000 square feet of retail space and 125 condominiums - designed, permitted and ready for final development approval. East Marco LLC would have nine years to reach the same benchmark for the second phase with the remaining condominiums.

City officials also fielded phone calls after the signs went up with questions about what it meant for the planned Publix.

The city approved a zoning change for East San Marco in 2006, and a Wachovia bank was built at the site, but the recession stalled the rest of the project.

"The neighborhood and the merchants are very much in support of a Publix coming and continuing to drive traffic to the neighborhood," said Desiree Bailey, owner of San Marco Bookstore and president of the merchant's association.

Chris Kuhn, director of development for St. Joe, said the timeline remains highly dependent on the real estate market. He said East San Marco LLC is exploring ways to advance the project.

City Councilman Art Shad, whose district covers San Marco, said based on conversations he's had with the developers, he's convinced that when the real estate market improves, the development will move forward.

The Publix would be built on the first floor of a multi-story building with condominiums over the grocery store.

Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens said the company remains committed to East San Marco, which he noted is dependent on being able to sell condominiums.

Read more at: http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-06-08/story/finally-some-movement-publix-san-marco-catch

Well atleast it will happen buy the time Im 38. I am currently 29 .LOL Hopefully they find some creative ways to get it done faster.

Well that's too bad. I'd think about buying a condo there just to get this publix moving along.

[JaxNative68]

If I remember correctly, there were many San Marco residents that were fighting this development from the beginning.  They wanted the grocery store, but complained the rest of the development was too large for the neighborhood.  they publicly spoke out negatively about the project, had petitions circulating to get it stopped and redesigned to the point of it being virtually not profitable for the developer to build, they complained loudly to the local politicians to intervene and not to approve the design.  Now the residents of San Marco are complaining that the project has been on hold to long or isn't going to get built?  Really?  Watch what you wish for (especially in Jax if it results in more demolished buildings for vacant lots with exposed foundations and cheap perimeter fencing), it looks like their original wish has come true with its own little Jacksonville touch.

[Kiva]

I lived in San Marco when this project was first proposed, and most residents were all for it. As always, the people opposed to any construction shout the loudest, but I'm sure that most people in the area were in favor of this.

[vicupstate]

If I remember correctly, there were many San Marco residents that were fighting this development from the beginning.  They wanted the grocery store, but complained the rest of the development was too large for the neighborhood.  they publicly spoke out negatively about the project, had petitions circulating to get it stopped and redesigned to the point of it being virtually not profitable for the developer to build, they complained loudly to the local politicians to intervene and not to approve the design.  Now the residents of San Marco are complaining that the project has been on hold to long or isn't going to get built?  Really?  Watch what you wish for (especially in Jax if it results in more demolished buildings for vacant lots with exposed foundations and cheap perimeter fencing), it looks like their original wish has come true with its own little Jacksonville touch.

Are you sure this is the project that raised so much opposition?  I don't remember hearing of it at the time.  Perhaps you are thinking about Jackson Square (I think that was the name of it). 

[AntigoneStarr]

I don't recall much opposition back then... and now the people who actually live in San Marco/Miramar area who could actually benefit from said Publix have changed a lot, younger families and such taking over houses, I've even seen a few hybrid cars. Would be nice to be able to WALK down Hendricks to Publix as opposed to Emerson/St Augustine Road (creepy) or University (scary).

May just move back to Riverside at this rate -.-

[Miss Fixit]

There was very little opposition to the St. Joe project.  These were well designed units and the added benefit of a Publix in the neighborhood was huge.

Jackson Square, on the other hand, was highly controversial primarily because of a related proposed road closure.

[Tacachale]

So in other words, no, there was not this huge backlash against this project.

What ended up happening with the Jackson Square project?

[Miss Fixit]

It appears to be dead in the water.  The developers have done something cool during the real estate downturn, however - they created a wildflower and community vegetable garden on the property.

[Tacachale]

So that's where it is. That's definitely a good use for property in a down market.

[billy]

Property is for sale.

[blandman]

Anyone know anything about the status of this project (the Publix part)?  Any movement?

[dougskiles]

None that I am aware of.

[John P]

What is the listing price for this property?

[Lunican]

I heard yesterday that Publix wants to move forward at this location within a year. This isn't a guarantee of anything but it seems to still be on their radar.

[fieldafm]

Publix always has.  It's been St Joe's residential component that has held the project back.  I think you're going to see Joe move forward on a few of their dormant sites in the near future with slightly different expectations from what I understand.