Whewell Restaurant TIF Agreement Passes

By Benjamin Cox on November 8, 2019 at 3:14pm

The Village of South Jacksonville approved a major TIF program last night that’s expected to generate several thousand dollars in revenue from some long-vacant lots. The Whewell restaurant development plan is expected over three phases, with completion to be expected in 2021.

Phase I will bring a pizza delivery style restaurant in front of the South County Cinema along South Main Street. The 1500 square foot facility will have a full drive through and pick up with little seating. With the purposed 75% TIF eligible funding last night, the plans for this facility’s construction is set to begin immediately with completion some time in the second quarter of 2020.

Phase II will consist of a similar style drive through burger/fast food restaurant and will also offer similar drive through and carry out to village residents and hotel-goers.

The final phase, set to begin in the first quarter of 2021, will bring a 5000-6000 square foot fine dining restaurant that may also include a gaming parlor. The third phase is set to be built on the northern-most lot near the cinema. There has been no release of names of the potential businesses as of yet. According to paperwork given to the Village of South Jacksonville, the project is estimated to generate an additional $45,000 in property taxes annually and $61,000 in additional sales tax. The village currently receives only $524 in total property tax revenue from the vacant lots. Whewell Developers also estimates 50-75 permanent new jobs and 100+ temporary construction jobs with the project.