A fresh, new year awaits the City of Jacksonville and our Resident communities and with it the boundless possibilities of progress, growth and change. Before bidding farewell to 2024 and turning, collectilvely, to embrace the new year, we take this opportunity to review Resident News’ top stories that were informative, meaningful to local readers, yet also held moments of celebration for our Bold City.
JANUARY
The City of Jacksonville kicked off the new year by launching Jax Enterprise Permitting, Inspections and Compliance System, or JaxEPICS, its new permitting system designed to streamline permitting submissions and approvals while reducing processing wait times, a recurring complaint Mayor Donna Deegan said she heard frequently in community conversations. The system’s official launch was announced on Jan. 10 after a soft-launch the month prior. Deegan explained the system was designed and created in-house, thus saving “millions of taxpayer dollars.”
FEBRUARY
Jacksonville celebrated the grand reopening of historic Friendship Fountain on Feb. 15 during Downtown Vision Inc.’s monthly Sip and Stroll event. Renovations had been underway for several years and the fountain has reopened as a state-of-the-art entertainment fountain with nightly light and water shows. Mayor Donna Deegan, City Councilmember Joe Carlucci and other city officials attended the grand reopening celebrations. The light and water shows are held at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. each night, weather permitting.
MARCH
The Duval County Public School Board reviewed “Blueprints for Tomorrow: Strategic Adjustments for a Stronger Future,” the Master Facility Plan that proposed the closure of several neighborhood schools throughout the county to help address a $1.4 billion budget deficit. This MFP proposal was met with widespread community opposition, though DCPS officials stated that further revisions would be made to the MFP following community input. Several A-rated or historic schools were named as possible closures in the proposal, including Ortega Elementary, John Stockton Elementary, Fishweir Elementary and West Riverside Elementary.
APRIL
An 11-8 vote passed the controversial PUD rezoning request for the mixed-use development that would bring self-storage to the Southbank in the Lofts at Southbank development. In addition to self-storage, Lofts at Southbank also features retail and residential components, including affordable housing. The project went through several iterations over multiple years following strong community opposition. A dramatic tie vote in council chambers the year prior voted down a previous iteration of the PUD rezoning application. This final version of the project, which now included affordable housing for the first time, emerged from arbitration between the city and the Atlanta-based developer after he appealed the city council’s tie vote.
MAY
The City of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville celebrated the grand opening of the Emerald Trail’s LaVilla Link at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 6. The 1.3-mile trail connects Brooklyn to LaVilla and the existing S-line. It is the first of several links throughout the city that will ultimately connect 21 parks, 16 schools, 14 urban neighborhoods, three hospitals, two colleges and the JTA Regional Transportation Center. Earlier in the year, the City of Jacksonville received a $147 million federal grant for the project, marking the largest one-time federal grant the city has ever received. This grant, combined with a 20% match from the Local Option Gas Tax, will fund the design and construction of the trail’s five remaining links.
JUNE
The Rail Yard District Business Council hosted its inaughural “Local-Motion Luncheon” to celebrate the revival of the city’s Rail Yard District at the Glass Factory. The historic district, dating back to the 1800s and now framed by I-10, I-95 and Downtown Jacksonville, is home to more than 350 businesses and 10,000 residents, though several at the luncheon said it remains an overlooked area of the city. The RDBC presented its inaugural All Aboard Award to LISC Jacksonville at the luncheon to recognize the organization’s continued aid and support for the neighborhood’s revitalization.
JULY
City Councilmembers Randy White and Kevin Carrico began their terms as city council president and vice president, respectively, on July 1 following a June 20 installation ceremony in council chambers. They were both elected during a special council meeting on May 28. White represents District 12 and served previously as council vice president under former Council President Ron Salem. Carrico is the representative for District 4.
AUGUST
The City of Jacksonville filed a foreclosure lawsuit against Laura Street Trio owner and developer Steve Atkins that alleges he has allowed more than $800,000 in administrative fines for code violations to accrue since October 2015. Atkins had been in conversations with the city council’s Special Committee on the Future of Downtown prior to the lawsuit being filed during which he had floated the idea of the city buying back the trio of buildings from him. A month later, the city dropped the lawsuit and Jacksonville-based Live Oak Contracting announced its partnership with SouthEast Development Group on the adaptive reuse project.
SEPTEMBER
The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) approved a $345,314 Retail Enhancement Program (REP) grant for the Prudential Club, a new upscale restaurant and lounge with an outdoor garden patio planned for Prudential Drive. Featuring 9,000 square feet of indoor seating for the lounge and dining area, the Prudential Club will transform the former American Cancer Society building at 1430 Prudential Drive into a swanky, upscale hot spot for the Southbank community and Jacksonville at large. The Prudential Club is owned by Phil and Megan Visali, who also own the Players Grilles in the Mandarin and Brooklyn neighborhoods.
OCTOBER
Jacksonville-based Community First Credit Union announced its purchase of the Edgewood Avenue South building formerly housing Edgewood Bakery with plans to transform the building into its new Murray Hill branch. The home of the beloved neighborhood mainstay had been vacant since its closure in 2016.
NOVEMBER
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida, First Coast Chapter celebrated do-gooders and good-doing at its 2024 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, recognizing the First Coast’s outstanding philanthropists. The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Paul Bosland. Joining him as honorees were the Mayo Clinic (Outstanding Foundation), Adam Chaskin (Outstanding Champion of Diversity), Betty Berkman (Outstanding Philanthropist), Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty (Outstanding Corporation), Lauren Baker (Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser), Ryan Smith (Next Generation Award) and Jacksonville Ace Group — ACE Hardware (Outstanding Small Business or Civic Organization).
DECEMBER
Our Resident neighborhoods celebrated the holiday season with beloved community events like Riverside Avondale Preservation and San Marco Preservation Society’s Luminaria events, Historic Avondale’s Christmas in Avondale, San Marco Merchants Association’s Holiday Magic. These free community events bring out family, friends and neighbors to kick off the holiday season and enjoy time together in the communities they love.
