City Council gives nod to Publix deal

After more than six months of negotiations, the City Council voted unanimously on Monday to restructure its partnership with developers of the Pelican Place at Craft Farms, an agreement that brings a 45,000-square-foot Publix Super Market to town and eases the debt burden of the mall’s owners.

Under the deal, the grocery store, along with 22,000 square feet of additional retail space, is required to open at the northeast corner of Ala. 59 and Baldwin County 4 by June 2010. Failure of the nation’s third-largest grocer to open its third Baldwin County location by that deadline, or to break ground before June, nullifies the pact, according to its terms.

“The city is going to benefit greatly from this development as the economy turns around,” Councilman Jason Dyken said. “It really enhances the ability of the entire project … to be successful

City Council gives nod to Publix deal