From Liquor Store to Small Business Support Center: Jacksonville’s Community Triumphs over Controversial Plans

The city of Jacksonville has purchased a property on Golfair Boulevard in Brentwood for $1.8 million last November, which was initially intended to be a liquor store. However, after facing backlash from the community, the plan has been changed and the site will now become a small business support center. The center will focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship and is set to open in the early fall.

The announcement was made by Mayor Donna Deegan at a luncheon on Thursday. The mayor’s office plans to release more details about the support center at a later date. The site next door, which is under construction, will house a new medical examiner’s office. However, this too has been met with resistance from community members who object to its proximity to Kipp Voice Academy.

News4JAX is investigating if there are any changes to the medical examiner’s office plan in light of the new business center. It remains to be seen what impact this change will have on the community, but it is clear that their voices were heard and their concerns were taken into consideration when making this decision.