Plans to develop an East Kimberly Road shopping center are up in the air after a tragic accident in Ohio.
Florida-based real estate firm Pebb Enterprises had purchased the Spring Village Shopping Center in Davenport, hoping to turn it into 'Fresh Thyme Square.' The shopping center has been partially empty since Incredible Pizza closed back in 2012.
On November 10, 2015, though, a corporate jet crashed in Akron, Ohio, killing nine people. Seven of them were members of Pebb Enterprises.
"They had a really tragic situation," said Jason Gordon, alderman at large. "So, there's no offer on the table right now. We're kinda waiting to see where they are... So there was some discussion there, but nothing concrete."
On Thursday, the Davenport City Council moved ahead with plans to expand the North Urban Renewal District. This means the shopping center is now in a district that could be eligible for tax breaks or TIF financing in the future if a project is presented.
Gordon said the council has also asked city staff to look at other areas in the city that may have empty big-box stores.
"Perhaps this is something we should do city-wide is create or expand TIF districts to include those blighted or dark store areas," said Gordon.
If a project is submitted, the City Council will still have to decide whether or not it actually wants to offer the developer any incentives.