FRIDAY November 1, 2019
Public legal notices begin on page 3
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
GROCERY STORES
Riverside parking garage in review
Daily Record
Rowe’s wants to take over Publix space at Gateway Rob Rowe, owner of Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets, says he has a letter of intent to take over the space; Winn-Dixie parent also says it’s interested.
The DDRB has yet to give final approval for the design of the structure that will be built by Florida Blue.
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BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS & MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITERS
JACKSONVILLE
Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets might replace Publix at Gateway Town Center soon after it closes Dec. 28. Rob Rowe, owner of Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets, said Thursday he has a letter of intent with the Gateway landlord to lease the 28,120 square feet of space, pending the termination of Publix’s lease. “Right now I know that when Publix is Rowe done we will work with the landlord to go in there,” Rowe said. But he emphasized it was not yet a done deal. “If they are closing in December and the landlord is successful, then we will be able to go in fairly soon after Publix vacates,” he said. Rowe doesn’t foresee delays. “I would believe that everybody would work together to be able to open it as soon as possible,” he said. Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., which operates the Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets banners, also is interested but didn’t say it has a letter of intent. “SEG is always looking at opportunities to serve commu-
said they wanted Publix to stay or for the landlord to open another grocery store there because the area did not have easy access to other stores. The absence of a grocer there would create a food desert, defined as an area without a grocery store within a mile. The closest Publix stores are several miles away and other grocers are near the food desert threshold at .9 miles and 1.2 miles away.
Florida Blue’s proposed Riverside parking garage is in city review. Project engineer RS&H Inc. filed civil and landscape permit documents with the city Wednesday for the garage, proposed on 2.32 acres at Magnolia, Forest and Park streets, off Riverside Avenue. Design plans for the parking garage will go before the Downtown Development Review Board on Nov. 14 for a final vote, according to Downtown Investment Authority Operations Manager Guy Parola. The city will not approve the civil and landscape permit without final DDRB approval. The DDRB gave conceptual approval for the garage design Oct. 10, but asked project architects to simplify the facade design and have an “authentic intention” to include retail when they return for final approval The garage includes 1,976 square feet reserved for future ground-floor retail on the Park Street side of the structure, but the retail space was shown as parking in the initial design. Insurer Florida Blue proposes to build a $22.5 million, four-story, 869-space parking garage on city-owned property near the company’s
SEE PUBLIX, PAGE 2
SEE GARAGE, PAGE 2
JACKSONVILLE
Photo by Monty Zickuhr
Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to close its Gateway Town Center store at 5210 Norwood Ave. on Dec. 28.
nities throughout our footprint. This particular opportunity is a unique situation and we’re currently doing our due diligence to assess how we can potentially meet the needs of all parties involved,” said Joe Caldwell, senior manager of corporate communications, in an email. Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. announced Friday that it would close its store at Gateway Town Center at 5210 Norwood Ave. in the Brentwood area after leasing there for almost
20 years. “We’ve been privileged to serve the Gateway community for two decades and are approaching the end of our lease at this location,” Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens said. “While it is always a difficult decision to make, we have decided to close this store by the end of 2019,” he said. He did not elaborate on reasons for closing the store. Customers, supporters and city and community leaders quickly
St. Vincent’s name change After the initial announcement in 2017, St. Vincent’s HealthCare officially changed its name to Ascension St. Vincent’s, according to a news release. The health system has been changing its signs for the past year, according to building permits. The decision was made as part of the system’s national effort to make it clearer and easier for patients to access its care. “By connecting the care we provide, we make it easier for patients and communities to find the care they need, when and how they need it,” said Ascension Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Nick Ragone.
VOLUME 106, NO. 246 • ONE SECTION