JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Jacksonville City Council members pushed to keep a Northside Harvey\u2019s Supermarket open beyond an 18-month agreement, as they debate amendments to an economic development deal that could determine access to fresh food for residents.<\/p>\n
Councilwoman Ju\u2019Coby Pittman of District 10 called the Friday meeting at City Hall after learning the store on West 48th Street was weeks away from closing \u2014 a fact she said she discovered while shopping there herself. <\/p>\n
Joining her were Councilmembers Joe Carlucci, Jimmy Peluso, Raul Arias, Will Lahnen, and Ron Salem, along with representatives from the city\u2019s Office of Economic Development, the chamber, community partners and Winn-Dixie. <\/p>\n
Salem and J. Carlucci departed after public comments began.<\/p>\n
The meeting centered on proposed amendments to Ordinance 2026-0326 and an accompanying economic development agreement. Aundre Wallace, presenting on behalf of the administration, outlined the broader deal: the company would retain its corporate headquarters in Jacksonville for 15 years, preserve 500 existing jobs, create 200 new positions averaging $100,000 annually, and invest a combined $65 million \u2014 $17 million into its headquarters and $48 million into Winn-Dixie stores across Duval County. <\/p>\n
Ed Randolph of OED underscored what was at stake. \u201cWe\u2019re looking at the 200 new jobs and the 500 existing jobs, of which total about 70 million overall salary in market, which we may not want to lose, especially in an economically distressed area,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Winn-Dixie\u2019s representative confirmed the company\u2019s lease expires in 2029 and that it would use \u201ccommercially reasonable efforts\u201d to maintain or secure an extension. <\/p>\n
Pittman said her priority was simple. \u201cWhat I want to make sure is done before I leave office is that the language is correct, that the store would not be closed in three years,\u201d she said. \u201cIf that store is closed, there\u2019s nothing else between Main Street to the East Side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much of the debate focused on how long Winn-Dixie would have to reopen nearby if the 48th Street location were to close. <\/p>\n
The proposed amendment set that window at 18 months, with any new store required to be within a quarter-mile in the same economically distressed area. Councilman Peluso wasn\u2019t satisfied. \u201c18 months is way too long,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He said he would not support the bill with that provision intact, calling instead for a three-month window. Councilman Lahnen pushed for the amendment to include a clear definition of \u201cfull service grocer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee agreed the amendment needed more refinement before advancing to a full council vote. Pittman said she would work with Winn-Dixie, city staff and the Office of General Counsel to sharpen the language. <\/p>\n
After the meeting, she told reporters she was encouraged \u2014 but clear-eyed about the work ahead. \u201cI think we will get to the finish line,\u201d she said. \u201cI think we just need to shop it a little bit more to make sure that it is something long term and not short term.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also spoke directly to the broader stakes for the community. \u201cPeople are just sick and tired of being sick and tired, especially in zip codes 32206, 32207, 32208 and 32209,\u201d Pittman said. \u201cIt\u2019s just not acceptable. And we want the same thing as other communities across the bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n
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