The West Palm Beach City Commission on Nov. 10 unanimously approved Resolution 272‑25 to declare three city‑owned parcels surplus and authorize negotiations with Publix for a larger downtown grocery store.

Armando Fauna, assistant city administrator, told the commission the assembled parcels are bounded by Banyan, 2nd Street, Sapadilla and Rosemary and include previously CRA‑owned lots transferred to the city. "I'm now able to announce that the grocery store, would be Publix," Fauna said, noting the move would replace a smaller CityPlace Publix and provide a full‑size store serving downtown and the historic Northwest.

The resolution directs staff to begin negotiations and perform due diligence before bringing a sales agreement back to the commission. Fauna said state law and the city's code require two appraisals; "we don't want it to be more than six months old," and the average of the two appraisals will be used to determine the sales price. He also flagged potential environmental mitigation on the north end of the site and said the city will execute a license allowing Publix to enter the site for investigations.

Commissioners voiced support but asked practical questions about access and transit. Commissioner Fox, a downtown resident, requested that the city's forthcoming mobility plan consider trolley or shuttle stops near the new location to reduce parking demand. Fauna said the city's new transportation rollout is scheduled for the first or second quarter of the fiscal year and that transit stops will be considered.

The motion to approve Resolution 272‑25 passed by unanimous voice vote. The commission directed staff to continue due‑diligence activities, to meet individually with commissioners during negotiations, and to return with a draft sale agreement for final approval.

What happens next: staff will complete appraisals and environmental review and negotiate terms with Publix. Any final sales agreement will be brought back to the City Commission for a vote.