JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The fate of the $12 million incentive package to keep Winn-Dixie’s headquarters in Jacksonville remains up in the air as the Jacksonville City Council holds a community meeting to discuss the matter.
Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman organized the meeting at City Hall on Friday. She was joined by her council colleagues, Joe Carlucci, Ron Salem, Jimmy Peluso, Raul Arias, and Nick Howland. She said she wanted to make sure members of the community got the chance to speak their minds and representatives from Winn-Dixie could hear their concerns.
“I don’t think they were being unreasonable. I do think this is a very important part of any discussion in any legislation is to hear from the people because we definitely want a solution.” Pittman explained.
Brentwood store to remain open
Pittman and her colleagues were concerned to learn of Winn-Dixie’s plans to close the Harvey’s on W. 48th St. in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood. If the store were to close, the community would become a food desert. Because of those concerns, the company has agreed to delay the closure of the store while discussions continue with the city.
City council changes
Winn-Dixie has now agreed to put additional stipulations on store closures. If a store closes in an economically distressed area, the grocer said it will open another one within 18 months…