Apparently, a Publix grocery store in Downtown Jacksonville can’t happen unless taxpayers help foot the bill.
Seriously?
According to News4JAX, developer Gateway Jax says its proposed downtown project cannot move forward without nearly $50 million in city incentives.
That’s $28.25 million in a completion grant and another $21.4 million in property tax rebates. And to be fair, this is a larger development with apartments and retail, not just a Publix.
But here’s my question: Why are Jacksonville taxpayers being asked to help finance a private development anchored by one of the most successful grocery chains in the Southeast?
I live in the Baymeadows area, where we have THREE Publix stores within a few miles of one another!
Publix grows grocery stores like God grows flowers. They’re everywhere!
And now we’re supposed to believe Downtown Jacksonville can’t get one without taxpayers sweetening the pot?
Come on, folks. This is getting ridiculous.
And here’s another interesting connection.
Gateway Jax executives have been identified as a member of the Jacksonville Civic Council. Remember that organization? It’s the same group that publicly opposed Amendment 3, warning that property tax relief could threaten essential city services.
In fact, the Civic Council’s CEO was making the rounds in Jacksonville, appearing in news reports and sounding the alarm about how devastating Amendment 3 would be if voters approved it.
Yet now, with Amendment 3 passed, we have a development company connected to that very organization asking taxpayers for nearly $50 million in incentives.
So let me get this straight.
Tax relief for homeowners was supposedly devastating,
but taxpayer-funded incentives for private development are necessary?
That’s quite a contradiction. And Jacksonville taxpayers deserve an explanation.
The voters just passed Amendment 3. Homeowners made it clear that keeping more of their hard-earned money matters. City Hall now has a responsibility to take a much harder look at how every taxpayer dollar is spent.
It’s a great day in Jacksonville when the people are heard through the ballot box. And heard loudly I might add!
The taxpayers’ candy jar is not bottomless. And the candy inside came from our hard work.
Get busy local elected leaders. You have work to do so roll up your sleeves and get that pencil sharpened! First to cut – pet projects that are not essential. If you need help with that list, I’m sure we have many Eye followers who can help you with that!
And by the way, the Jacksonville Civic Council is made up of approximately 90 business leaders. These are people who know how to sharpen pencils, trim budgets, eliminate waste, and make tough financial decisions in their own companies.
Jacksonville could use some of that expertise right now!
So we are asking the Civic Council to roll up your sleeves and help City Hall do what successful business leaders do every day: question expenses, eliminate waste, demand accountability, and make every dollar count.
You opposed Amendment 3. The voters saw things differently. Now you have an opportunity to show Jacksonville that you heard them.
Put those business skills to work for the taxpayers, not just the bottom lines of your own companies.
What a great opportunity to turn a political disagreement into something positive for the entire city!
Related reading:
