Old SRQ Herald Building to Become Publix

We've been hearing about this possibility for months. Looks like it's a done deal. Link below.

Former location of Herald-Tribune to become Publix
GROCERY: Lakeland-based supermarket chain plans to open new site in 2010

Staff Report

Published: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.

Publix Super Markets has closed a $6.3 million deal for the Herald-Tribune's former offices on South Tamiami Trail.

The Lakeland-based supermarket chain plans to open a new 52,000-square-foot store at the site toward the end of 2010.

Publix will tear down the existing building and build a store with parking underneath. Customers and their shopping carts will ride on escalators up into the store.

Once the new store is complete, Publix will close its older site at the Ringling Shopping Center, transfer employees to the new larger store and hire additional employees.

Publix closed the deal with the New York Times Co., the Herald-Tribune's parent, on Monday, according to George H. Mazzarantani, the Sarasota lawyer representing Publix. The special warranty deed that Mazzarantani supplied showed $44,100 in document stamps, which equates to the $6.3 million sales price.

The building had been for sale since 2003, when the Herald-Tribune announced plans to build its downtown Sarasota office to house its multimedia operations. The media company moved to its new headquarters in February 2006.

The city had considered buying the property for a new police station, but went with another site.

LINK