Downtown Publix project faces $50M incentive vote as future aid comes into question

A proposed Publix grocery store and housing project in downtown Jacksonville is headed for a City Council vote on a $50 million incentive package.The project, proposed by Gateway Jax, would include a grocery store, high-density housing and retail near Beaver Street. The developer estimates it would generate more than $330 million in property tax revenue over 30 years, but says the project depends on a public-private partnership that includes the incentive package.Council member Michael Boylan said he is likely to support the proposal unless a compelling reason changes his mind. The council is scheduled to vote Tuesday. Council President Nick Howland has indicated he will vote against it.Boylan said future incentive packages could be difficult to approve, citing the possibility of changes to property taxes and reduced city revenue.“I think that the prospect of them happening anytime in the near future is very, very dim,” Boylan said.Public incentives have supported other downtown projec