JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The site of a proposed liquor store in Brentwood will now become a small business support center, according to News4JAX news partner The Jacksonville Daily Record.
Mayor Donna Deegan made the announcement about the Golfair Boulevard property during a luncheon on Thursday.
The mayor said the support center will open in early fall if all goes as planned and will focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship.
The city of Jacksonville bought the site for $1.8 million last November after months of backlash from Brentwood community members that included several protests to stop the building from opening as a drive-thru liquor store.
Residents argued the store was inappropriate because it is right across the street from Kipp Voice Academy.
The mayor’s office said it will release more details about the business center at a later date.
Community members have also fought against bringing a new medical examiner’s office to the same neighborhood, but construction is already underway right next door to the future support center.
News4JAX is working to find out if there are any changes to that plan in light of the new business center.