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 […]
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 […]
Avondale organ donor receives ‘angel of hope’ award
By Susanna P. Barton Avondale resident Terry Dennis received a life honor last month. The Gabriel House of Care at Mayo Clinic gave Dennis its first annual Christopher Mark Gregory Angel of Hope Award for his organ donation advocacy. But Dennis makes one point very clear: While the award is an exhilarating recognition, Dennis […]
Pizza Palace closes Riverside store
By Susanna P. Barton The Pizza Palace on Margaret Street quickly and quietly closed last month following news that a national retailer would be taking over the space. Pizza Palace owner Elias Demetree said he is grateful to the Riverside/Avondale area for supporting his store over the years and is “actively looking” for another neighborhood […]
Q&A with District 14 City Councilman Jim Love: Riverside/Avondale development moratorium
Last month, District 14 City Councilman Jim Love sent a letter to the city planning and development director, Calvin Burney, requesting a moratorium on any new commercial development requiring PUD, deviations or variance exceptions in several key Riverside/Avondale retail districts. Those areas include St. Johns Avenue between Talbot and Van Wert avenues and on King […]
Stakeholders seek longterm solutions for Riverside-Avondale parking woes
By Steve DiMattia There is no shortage of vision for Riverside/Avondale’s parking solutions. But making that vision a reality is the challenge. “There are a lot of short term options being discussed to address parking issues, but we are trying to develop more permanent solutions for the entire historic district,” said Jim Love, Riverside/Avondale District […]
Hendricks principal retiring: B.R. Rhoads steps down after 35 years in education
By Susanna P. Barton Hendricks Avenue Elementary School Principal Robert E. “BR” Rhoads calls his upcoming retirement a “transition to another adventure.” Neighborhood students and parents say he will be missed. Rhoads, who has been an educator for 35 years, joined Hendricks as a principal in 2010, said his time with the school has been “a […]
