Publix in San Marco project on hold

[Timkin]

I'm glad they rushed to demolish the existing buildings for a project that has been struggling to get off the ground since its conception.  But then again, what's a Jacksonville landscape without fenced off lots of overgrown exposed foundations of our buildings' past.  The downtown look is spreading into San Marco.  Great!

Those buildings were no loss and weren't even very old.  Strip center and concrete block box.  What is proposed for that space, when it gets built, will be a great improvement for the neighborhood.  A neighborhood needs a grocery store.  Just ask us in Riverside.

Gotta disagree with you here.  There was a nice little commercial strip with active businesses, and an historic bank building.

I had forgotten the little strip that was over there. I know LaMee the Florist had a shop over there, but I think that was it, by the time everything was torn down. (Those buildings are still there on Google Images.)

It would have been nice to have left the old bank standing, at least until they were ready to start construction. Sure, I know they're still planning to go forward with the project, but it wouldn't shock me in the least if the Publix and other development is scrapped, and all we're left with is a vacant lot.

They are taking after the Downtown pattern .   Vacant lots.  or slabs remaining for parking lots that were once-beautiful historic buildings.

And I agree ..The bank building was probably not what we normally think of as historic.. But it was a really nice building.

[danno]

I remember a really good austrian/german resturant in that strip.

[Ocklawaha]

Makes you wonder if ANYONE at Publix has heard of our mobility plan and the multi-modal station that will be right up the block?  Five years from now, that will completely reshape this section of town. Get in today and they might actually have some influence on design and build, drag their feet and who knows? Winn-Dixie builds an urban center at the foot of the Skyway? Could Happen!

OCKLAWAHA

[mtraininjax]

Winn-Dixie builds an urban center at the foot of the Skyway? Could Happen!

Winn-Dixie will be lucky if it has enough sales to be around next year. Stock price continues to dive after remodels, so the south is still stuck in a rough recession.

[copperfiend]

Interesting how Publix can start the work in Villano Beach, but still leave San Marco high and dry....

That had alot to do with contractual obligations at the Vilano site.

[aaapolito]

My wife and I consdiered moving to San Marco over a year ago, but the first thing that we looked for (besides the house) was a supermarket.  Since there were no supermarkets within a reasonable distance, we scrapped San Marco all together.  I have a feeling that we're not the first.

It's a shame too because I really like that neighborhood.

[Debbie Thompson]

Maybe it's just me, but I wonder if we are all not a bit spoiled these days.  There are tons of grocery stores with a few miles of San Marco.  I think one could drive to the Riverside Publix or the Publix at Bartram and Atlantic in less than 10 minutes. 

We live in Springfield, and shop at the Winn Dixie on Union, the Publix in Riverside or one of the many Wal-Mart stores within a few miles of downtown.  I love our neighborhood, and honestly never thought to rule it out because there was no grocery there.

Not a criticism, just a thought/opinion/discussion item.

[acme54321]

Makes you wonder if ANYONE at Publix has heard of our mobility plan and the multi-modal station that will be right up the block?  Five years from now, that will completely reshape this section of town. Get in today and they might actually have some influence on design and build, drag their feet and who knows? Winn-Dixie builds an urban center at the foot of the Skyway? Could Happen!

OCKLAWAHA

Is that station actually going to be there in 5 years?  Is it official?

[Ocklawaha]

It is officially in the mobility plan as a priority item.

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

My wife and I consdiered moving to San Marco over a year ago, but the first thing that we looked for (besides the house) was a supermarket.  Since there were no supermarkets within a reasonable distance, we scrapped San Marco all together.  I have a feeling that we're not the first.

It's a shame too because I really like that neighborhood.

Maybe it's just me, but I wonder if we are all not a bit spoiled these days.  There are tons of grocery stores with a few miles of San Marco.  I think one could drive to the Riverside Publix or the Publix at Bartram and Atlantic in less than 10 minutes. 

We live in Springfield, and shop at the Winn Dixie on Union, the Publix in Riverside or one of the many Wal-Mart stores within a few miles of downtown.  I love our neighborhood, and honestly never thought to rule it out because there was no grocery there.

Not a criticism, just a thought/opinion/discussion item.

Also close (within 10 minutes or less) to Riverside, San Marco, and Springfield is the Jacksonville Farmers Market on W. Beaver Street (a block from east from Stockton or a mile or two west of Downtown), best place in Jax for fresh and super-cheap produce, etc.:  http://www.jaxfarmersmarket.com/

[thelakelander]

It is officially in the mobility plan as a priority item.

OCKLAWAHA

A skyway extension to Atlantic Blvd is in the Mobility Plan but not a priority project.  The only mass transit related priority projects in the initial CIE are a streetcar line between Park&King and DT and a commuter rail segment between DT and Zoo Parkway.

[stjr]

It is officially in the mobility plan as a priority item.

OCKLAWAHA

A skyway extension to Atlantic Blvd is in the Mobility Plan but not a priority project.  The only mass transit related priority projects in the initial CIE are a streetcar line between Park&King and DT and a commuter rail segment between DT and Zoo Parkway.

Thank goodness!  Streetcar and commuter rail should always come before the Skyway.  Not even close.

[blandman]

Maybe it's just me, but I wonder if we are all not a bit spoiled these days.  There are tons of grocery stores with a few miles of San Marco.  I think one could drive to the Riverside Publix or the Publix at Bartram and Atlantic in less than 10 minutes. 

One of the benefits of living in a San Marco or Riverside-type neighborhood is that you can walk to many/most amenities (i.e., bars, restaurants, banks, supermarkets?).  Some people trade house/yard size for these benefits.  If you have to drive to the supermarket, many people probably feel the tradeoffs are not worth it and choose to live in the 'burbs.  With a Skyway extension and supermarket, it would be feasible to live in San Marco sans automobile.  Most families would probably still own one, but they wouldn't need it.

[dougskiles]

I got a lesson today on what can happen when you try to live in San Marco sans car.  My bike was stolen from the San Marco Skyway station ... in the middle of the day!  It was locked to the bike rack so someone used a set of cutters in broad daylight.  Now I am beginning to wonder - what is it you STJR?

It doesn't really matter whether or not we think we need a Publix in San Marco.  The question for Publix is would we support it?  And the bigger question for them might be the impact it would have on the two stores they recently built nearby.  I hope it comes, partly because I can't stand the barren lot - reminds me too much of downtown.

[fsujax]

Doug sorry to hear. There are cameras at all the stations. Maybe it was caught on tape!