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Alachua County DRC approves plan to replace Publix with new Tower Square supermarket
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Summary
The Alachua County Development Review Committee on April 16 approved a revised final development plan to demolish the existing Publix at Tower Square and build a new, approximately 55,000-square-foot supermarket on a roughly 14.5-acre parcel, with an eight-phase construction and parking-resurfacing plan and staff recommendation for approval.
The Alachua County Development Review Committee approved a revised final development plan on April 16 to replace the existing Publix at Tower Square with a new, approximately 55,000-square-foot supermarket and related site work.
Jacob South, planner with Growth Management, told the committee that the project at 5801 Southwest 75th Street sits on about 14.5 acres and proposes demolition of the current Publix, phased construction of a new anchor store, and resurfacing of parking across the shopping center. "The application proposes the demolition of the existing Publix building, so that it can be replaced with a new, approximately 55,000 square foot public shopping center," South said during the staff presentation, which concluded with a recommendation of approval.
South outlined an eight-phase construction schedule that begins with installation of construction fencing and erosion controls, proceeds through utility removal and building construction, and ends with phased parking resurfacing and curb and landscape island replacements. He said the plan includes additional landscape islands, accessibility improvements to ADA spaces and new cart corrals, and architectural elevations that meet the county's building design code.
Claudia Vega of EDA Consultants, the applicant, said she had no formal presentation and was available to answer questions. The chair opened the floor for public comment; none came forward.
A committee member moved to approve the revised final development plan for Public Supermarket at Tower Square; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote. The committee recorded the motion as passed and the chair announced the approval.
Votes at a glance • Revised final development plan for Public Supermarket at Tower Square — Motion to approve moved by a committee member, seconded by Jacob South (planner); outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Approval of draft minutes, March 19, 2026 — Motion moved by a committee member, seconded; outcome: approved (ayes recorded).
The committee adjourned at 1:43 p.m.
