Regency Centers breaks ground at East San Marco site

Posted on March 3, 2021 By Editor Neighborhood News, San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Top Stories

Regency Center breaks ground

It’s official. The long vacant East San Marco site at the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard is finally being developed.

Regency Centers Corporation called a few select dignitaries together Feb. 16 to hold the official groundbreaking event on the site of what will eventually become the East San Marco shopping center. Members of the general public and media were not invited as Regency Centers cited safety concerns due to COVID-19.

Anchored by a two-story Publix, the location will occupy a 60,000-square foot grocery store, retail, and restaurants in the heart of the historic San Marco neighborhood.

Tom Fleming of Fleming Development and Consulting; Steven Walker, regional director of Publix; Scott Wohlers, president of the San Marco Merchants Association; Lisa Palmer, president and CEO of Regency Centers; Linzee Ott, former president of the San Marco Preservation Society; Patrick McKinley, vice president and market officer of Regency Centers; LeAnna Cumber, District 5 Councilwoman; Chris Ruen, senior project manager for Regency Centers, Jim Thompson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Regency Centers; and Lori Boyer, CEO or Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority.

Attending the groundbreaking were key members of Regency Centers, Publix, as well as the City of Jacksonville and the San Marco community, including District 5 Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber.

“I’m very excited that this development is coming to fruition,” said District 5 Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber. “Having a Publix as well as other stores and restaurants in the heart of San Marco will continue to enhance the quality of life for all residents in the San Marco area including new residents on Philips Highway and along the Southbank.”

Patrick McKinley, vice president and market officer at Regency Centers said is company is happy the project is finally underway. “San Marco has deserved this project for a long time,” McKinley said. “There has been so much work behind the scenes to make this a reality for a number of years, that included invaluable feedback and assistance from our neighbors and stakeholders. East San Marco will become great example of collaboration from a fantastic group of people, serving a community long overdue for a place like this.”

Also excited about the possibility of finally having a store in the heart of San Marco was Steve Walker, regional director of Publix. “We are excited to be a part of this groundbreaking event with Regency Centers in the San Marco community of Jacksonville,” said Walker. “The opening of this new location will give Publix the opportunity to continue providing legendary service to our loyal customers.”

Construction has already begun and is slated to continue until mid-2022. Other incoming merchants include OrangeTheory Fitness, with more to be announced as development continues.