It’s often said ‘it’s not over until it’s over.”
In the case of opposition to Gate Petroleum Co.’s plan to build a store in the Brooklyn area of Downtown, it’s over.
Gate spokeswoman Misty Skipper said the company closed on the property Tuesday and plans to begin construction in January at Forest and Park streets near Unity Plaza.
Construction should be complete by late 2017, she said. The store is about 6,500 square feet and will feature Gate’s Fresh Kitchen concept.
According to a deed posted on the Duval County Clerk of Courts website, the purchase price was $2 million.
On April 10, the Downtown Development Review Board approved Gate’s site design for the convenience store and gas station.
Riverside resident Kay Ehas appealed the approval of the project to the Downtown Investment Authority board of directors, but after a four-hour hearing June 23, her appeal was denied on a 5-2 vote.
One of her contentions was the store should have been closer to the street and the gas pumps in the rear of the building.
Gate said the site had to follow the company’s design in order for fuel to be delivered and for customer safety.
Ehas said after the DIA’s decision she would not further pursue her protest before the city’s legislative branch.
“I probably would do no better with City Council,” Ehas said as she left the hearing.
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