Go-Giver: Lanelle Phillmon
By Julie Kerns Garmendia American Cancer Society volunteer Lanelle Phillmon credits the U.S. Navy’s volunteer service program — and her mother’s example — for setting her on a course of helping nonprofit organizations. Chief Phillmon, who just completed a 27-year naval career, retired to the San Jose area in November 2010 and jumped right […]
RAP hopes to fetch approval from city on dog park
By Susanna P. Barton Plans for a dog park at Riverside Park are inching forward, according to officials with Riverside Avondale Preservation. The city of Jacksonville has a proposal from the state Department of Transportation to use land under the Interstate 95 bridge for the dog park, according to RAP Executive Director […]
Transit workshops hone in on San Marco
By Steve DiMattia It is not unusual to see Jacksonville’s infamous Skyway traveling its limited 2.5-mile downtown route without any passengers. Many have criticized the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s “boondoggle” for “going nowhere” and suggest that is the reason it is often sans riders. But San Marco engineer Doug Skiles […]
FDOT spending $60 million on neighborhood real estate
By Susanna P. Barton The state Department of Transportation is spending $60 million on neighborhood real estate as it clears the path for the $384 million Overland Bridge replacement project. The state’s local shopping spree means demolition for many area homes and relocation for some area churches and businesses — including The […]
Group forms to birddog Mellow Mushroom plans
By Susanna P. Barton A group of Avondale neighbors and business owners have formed a new partnership called “We Love Avondale LLC.” The group intends to keep an eye on Mellow Mushroom’s rezoning application process and its plans for a 220-seat restaurant in the Shoppes of Avondale. “We won’t be in […]
Residents, merchants weigh Love’s moratorium, ordinance
By Steve DiMattia Love letters typically evoke a lot of emotion and one recently addressed to city Planning and Development Director Calvin Burney is no exception. This one, written by Jim Love, city councilman for Riverside/Avondale District 14, proposed a six-month moratorium on any new commercial development requiring Planned Unit Development (PUD), […]
Bishop to lead City Council
District 2 Councilman Bill Bishop, a longtime local architect and resident of the Clifton area near St. Nicholas, will be the next president of the Jacksonville City Council. Bishop formerly was the council’s vice president. In his new role, he succeeds Group 3 At-Large Councilman Stephen Joost. Next year’s vice president will be District 13 […]
Nonprofit groups, churches offer local camp experiences for area youth
By Susanna P. Barton Many local churches, nonprofit organizations and community groups are planning summer workshops as an outreach to neighborhood families. With costs that are often far less than for-profit operations, these venues provide fun resources for children in a setting close to home. For the second consecutive summer, Girls Inc. of Jacksonville is […]
