A demolition permit has been issued for the former First Baptist Church main auditorium in Downtown Jacksonville, paving the way for a new Publix grocery store. The permit, issued for 119 W. Beaver St., allows for the demolition of the existing structure to make way for a mixed-use, 14-story tower that will include apartments and the grocery store.

According to Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll, the Publix is a crucial component of the company’s $750 million Pearl Square district development. Moll stated that without a full-service grocery store, the project would be much more difficult, if not impossible, to complete at the desired scale.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.