Publix demolition, site work under way

Say goodbye to the old Longboat Key Publix. Demolition of the existing store was under way Monday, April 23, just two-and-a-half weeks after its April 7 closing. Construction of the new CVS is also ongoing: A concrete pour was completed earlier this week.

Town Manager David Bullock updated the Longboat Key Town Commission about the site’s progress at the Thursday, April 19, regular workshop.

Contractors are currently setting vertical beams, which could make it look as though a “really big building” is going on the site, when, in actuality, the elevation of the site has gone up but screening hasn’t been put in yet, Bullock said.

Bullock told the commission that the site’s generator is in the process of dewatering and will have to run 24/7 until the process is completed.

The new, 49,533-square-foot Publix is slated for completion by the end of the year. The old CVS will remain open until the completion of the new, 13,000-square-foot store, scheduled for September.

Hawkins Construction Inc. is the contractor for the project.