JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 A new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Oceanway that drew significant backlash from neighbors during its permitting and construction phases is now open across from First Coast High School.<\/p>\n
People lined up at the front door for Friday\u2019s grand opening, and they were excited, but it was a rocky road for the restaurant to open its doors.<\/p>\n
The Duval Station Road fast-food spot shares an entrance with the North Creek subdivision, and residents repeatedly raised concerns about traffic during the planning phase for the new location.<\/p>\n
They went to multiple Jacksonville City Council and committee meetings over several years to speak out against the project, arguing that traffic would block access to their neighborhood, but City Council approved the project in June 2024 in a 12 to 7 vote.<\/p>\n
Franchise owner Chuck Campbell said that Chick-fil-A took all the feedback from neighbors into consideration and agreed to fund a traffic light at Bradley Cove and Duval Station Roads. (WJXT)<\/p>\n
Franchise owner Chuck Campbell said that they took all the feedback from neighbors into consideration and Chick-fil-A agreed to fund a traffic light at Bradley Cove and Duval Station Roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Chick-fil-A did a great job listening and installing a red light here for the students to cross and just try to pay attention to public safety, and they submitted all those plans for the city, and the city approved those and we\u2019re looking forward to a great first day,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n
The compromise made some residents feel better about safety in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might slow traffic down a little bit more, saying that you have to actually stop, but it\u2019s safer for the kids, and that\u2019s what\u2019s most important,\u201d said Curtis and Ronald Fuller.<\/p>\n
Traffic flow map for new Chick-fil-A on Duval Station Road (Provided by Chick-fil-A)<\/p>\n