Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill

All the latest news relevant to the Riverside, Avondale, Ortega and Murray Hill areas.

Preserving ‘Authentic’ Downtown Jacksonville

Preserving ‘Authentic’ Downtown Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville is looking to the past to help shape and revitalize its future via the Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program (DPRP). Due to some ambitious plans for growth and revitalization, those programs are being put to the test and should spell progress for Downtown in the months ahead. Launched by the Downtown Investment Authority […]

Khan, Jaguars plan for riverfront gets green light from DIA

Khan, Jaguars plan for riverfront gets green light from DIA

Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority gave unanimous approval July 7 to a $114 million incentive package with Jaguar owner Shad Khan for his plan to revitalize the former Kids Kampus parcel on the St. Johns River. Khan’s development company, Iguana Investments is looking to build a $321 million development across from TIAA Bank Field. The proposal […]

Riverfront Plaza design unveiled, winner chosen for former Landing site

Riverfront Plaza design unveiled, winner chosen for former Landing site

The Jacksonville Professional Services Evaluation Committee (PSEC) has selected Perkins&Will as the winner of the design competition for Riverfront Plaza, the former home of The Jacksonville Landing. In June, Perkins&Will was one of three groups who presented their plans to the PSEC. Their plan narrowly outscored the proposals by Agency Landscape+Planning and Olin Limited.  The […]

Long-overdue demolition of Berkman II begins

After sitting unfinished and vacant for more than a decade, the Berkman Plaza II tower demolition commenced on July 15. The first piece of the building finally came down after the demolition process was delayed due to mechanical issues with the machinery. The demolition contractor, Pece of Mind Environmental Inc., said that it is using […]

Ortega Landing use lies in wait, in hands of legal authorities

Ortega Landing use lies in wait, in hands of legal authorities

Plans for a large, assisted living facility on the Ortega River opposed by residents nearby have been placed on an “indefinite hold” by a local developer working with an out-of-state property owner and city planners, said city Office of General Counsel attorney Mary Staffopoulos on July 26. The applicant for Vestcor Communities on behalf of the property […]

Reboot unveils design concepts for former Jacksonville Landing site, park space

Reboot unveils design concepts for former Jacksonville Landing site, park space

Three plans to renovate Riverfront Plaza, the former home of the Jacksonville Landing, were presented to the city’s Personal Services Evaluation Committee June 24th. The planners were tasked with designing a space that would be a great place for people to gather and enjoy the river and still allow successful private development. Agency Landscape + […]

100 Years of Love and Diversity – Riverside Avenue Christian Church

100 Years of Love and Diversity – Riverside Avenue Christian Church

This year, Riverside Avenue Christian Church (RACC) celebrates a century of sharing love and respecting diversity. Each Sunday morning, Reverend Erin Dicky offers a benediction with these words: “Go and remember that you are a beloved child of God.” That attitude started with Dr. Charles W. Ross who founded the church in 1921—in a tent—on […]

Concerns grow about toxic coal ash spill

In March, a Moran tugboat pushing the 7,025-ton, 416-foot barge named Bridgeport from Puerto Rico lost control near the mouth of the St. Johns River, causing the barge to crash into the jetties. It was loaded with 14,000 tons of coal ash. Now, four months later, at least 9,300 tons of coal ash has spilled […]