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Overhauled 500 Atlantic Plan Gets Initial Community Board Approval

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This rendering shows the previous 500 Atlantic proposal that was rejected. A rendering of the current proposal isn't available yet.

TriBridge Residential is moving ahead with new plans for its 500 Atlantic mixed-use development on Atlantic Boulevard at Third Street.

The Neptune Beach Community Development Board unanimously the Atlanta-based firm’s second attempt to revamp the old Kmart Shopping Center.

Related:Boutique Hotel, Restaurants And Retail Planned At Old Neptune Beach Kmart Site

TriBridge’s plans total about 30,000 square feet of commercial building space, including a 44-room boutique hotel, as well as restaurants and retail space. That’s about half the space of the original proposal.

In August, the Neptune Beach City Council rejected TriBridge’s plan to build 175 apartment units and a 74-room boutique hotel anchored by a retail center, after residents launched a grassroots campaign protest the plan.

Residents raised concerns about congestion.

Related: What’s Next After Neptune Council Says No To 500 Atlantic Project

Mary Frosio was among those who protested against the previous iteration of the plan.

But in an February interview with WJCT, said she can get behind the current plan. “We have always maintained that we wanted them to build within our code. And a hotel, retail and commercial are permitted. However, the one that’s not permitted, and the one that we vehemently opposed, was residential.”

TriBridge’s plan still needs approval from Neptune Beach City Council.

Abukar Adan is a former WJCT reporter who left the station for other pursuits in August 2019.