JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In the works on-and-off for 17 years, the proposed Publix-anchored East San Marco shopping center is showing new signs of life.
Recently released project plans call for the supermarket and select other retailers to occupy the second floor of a two-story building in the shopping center planned for 1532 Atlantic Blvd. at Hendricks Avenue, just east of San Marco Square.
“We remain connected and committed to the project and look forward to serving the beautiful San Marco community,” Dwaine Stevens, a Publix spokesman, said Tuesday.
Regency Centers Corp. is developing the mixed-use center, which will have covered parking on the ground floor as well as surface parking.
“We will have parking underneath the grocery store with elevators to transport customers and their groceries to the ground floor/parking garage,” Stevens said.
Stevens said this will be the first Publix built above a parking structure in Jacksonville. But it’s not unique.
“We have several other locations within our seven-state service area with a similar design,” he said.
The proposed Publix in San Marco will be about 30,000 to 32,000-square feet. Publix hopes to start construction sometime next year, but no completion date has been finalized, Stevens said. The estimated construction cost, he said, is proprietary and hasn’t been made public.
Regency officials will detail the project and take residents’ questions during a town hall-style meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Southside Baptist Church, 1435 Atlantic Blvd. The San Marco Preservation Society is hosting the meeting.
Regency officials couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.
The East San Marco project has been a long time coming. Signs at the proposed site announcing the project are weathered and covered with dirt.
Over the years, building permits were issued then expired. Construction dates were announced then passed before even one shovel of dirt was turned.
The recession, as well as the withdrawal of a residential development partner, were among the factors responsible for the repeated delays.
However, Publix remained steadfast.
“We have been committed to this location for well over a decade when we first signed our lease,” Stevens said.
Publix is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States.
Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, the Lakeland, Fla.-based company has 1,228 grocery stores in seven states, nine distribution centers and 11 manufacturing facilities.
