Jacksonville council members, developers make public push for Downtown Publix incentive package

Jacksonville city council members and developers behind the proposed Downtown Publix made their case to the public Thursday, arguing a nearly $50 million incentive package is too critical to the city’s future to put on hold.Council members Matt Carlucci and Jimmy Peluso joined Gateway Jax CEO Bryon Moll at a public meeting at City Hall, where they urged support for the incentive package tied to a $140 million development along West Beaver Street that would bring a full-service Publix grocery store, 259 apartments and retail space to the heart of Downtown Jacksonville.“This is not just a request we’re making for one block in Downtown but it’s for the entire city,” Moll said. “And the project would not be possible without the investment.”The proposed development, known as Block N7, is part of Pearl Square — a more than $1 billion mixed-use neighborhood Gateway Jax is building on the northwest side of Downtown near City Hall.The incentive breakdownThe $49.65 million incentive package cons