Whole Foods-anchored retail district slated for Brooklyn area moves ahead

A long-awaited retail outlet moved one step closer to being officially added to Jacksonville’s downtown business district this week.

Originally proposed in 2022, a Whole Foods grocery store will anchor the retail center at the mixed-use development One Riverside. Permits must still be filed with and approved by the city, but the site plans were approved Thursday.

The grocery store will span 37,000 square feet, according to the approved site plans, and be located adjacent to the apartments and parking deck. The retail section will span 8,000 square feet.

It’s listed as the second phase of the One Riverside development in plans filed with the city. Atlanta-based Fuqua Development is leading the Brooklyn-area project.

Three projects make up the 18.84-acre site named One Riverside.

Phase one consisted of 271 multifamily homes with a restaurant. That’s being developed by TriBridge Residential.

In the original redevelopment agreement with Fuqua, the commencement date for phase one of retail construction was July 31, 2024. The Downtown Investment Authority approved changes to the performance schedule, extending the commencement and completion dates for phase one of the retail by a year to July 31, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026.

As of May 2024, CEO of Fuqua Development Jeff Fuqua said Whole Foods was aware of the timing change, and it did not affect the grocer's interest.

In phase three of the project, the city will uncover McCoys Creek and develop a park that connects to the Emerald Trail.

By Carter Mudgett, Reporter
Jacksonville Business Journal