The proposed liquor store in Brentwood, Jacksonville, will be converted into a small business support center. This was announced by Mayor Donna Deegan during a luncheon. The support center, which is expected to open in early fall, will focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship. The city of Jacksonville purchased the Golfair Boulevard property for $1.8 million in November after community members opposed the liquor store due to its proximity to Kipp Voice Academy.
Residents argued that the liquor store was not suitable for the area, leading to the city’s decision to repurpose the property for a support center instead. The mayor’s office plans to provide more details about the business center in the coming days. In addition to the liquor store controversy, community members have also opposed the construction of a new medical examiner’s office in the neighborhood.
Despite these objections, construction for the medical examiner’s office is already underway next to the future support center. News4JAX is investigating whether there will be any changes to the plans for the medical examiner’s office in light of the new business center. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.