Gateway Jax says downtown Publix project cannot move forward without city partnership, $50M tax package

Gateway Jax says its proposed downtown Publix cannot move forward without the nearly $50 million in city incentives it is seeking.In a statement provided to News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee, the developer said a 15-story residential tower would be anchored by a full-service grocery store and pharmacy. Gateway Jax says the project depends on a public-private partnership with the city.The response comes after the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee deadlocked 3-3 Wednesday on the proposed incentive package. The vote kept the legislation from advancing out of committee, but did not kill the proposal.Gateway Jax is making the case that the project would benefit the city beyond bringing a grocery store downtown. The developer projects the development could generate between $330 million and $500 million in new commercial property tax revenue for Jacksonville over the next 30 years.“We believe Tuesday’s vote on Amendment 3 makes investment into the City’s commercial tax base more imp