Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill

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

Brooklyn construction progressing as planned

Brooklyn construction progressing as planned

The excavation at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Leila Street will soon emerge as Brooklyn Place. The city issued permits in late September for construction to begin. The commercial and retail development will be comprised of two buildings, totaling 11,451-square-feet. Tenants will include Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread. […]

Wolfson lights Weaver Tower gold for childhood cancer awareness

Wolfson lights Weaver Tower gold for childhood cancer awareness

September was National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and to bring awareness to  Jacksonville’s “Home Team” of pediatric cancer specialists, the folks at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Specialty Care celebrated by illuminating the Weaver Tower at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in gold flood lights for a week in early September. Mayor Lenny Curry kicked off […]

Jacksonville Club donates funds so deaf and blind students can ski

Jacksonville Club donates funds so deaf and blind students can ski

Thanks to the generosity of the Jacksonville Ski Club, a student or two from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind will have an opportunity to hit the slopes this winter. Bianca Roos, president of the Jacksonville Ski Club, presented a check for $3,200 to Jennifer Enache of the school during the club’s annual […]

Neighborhood families built global friendships this summer

Neighborhood families built global friendships this summer

More than 25 youth from Avondale, Ortega, St. Nicholas and San Marco represented the USA at international CISV programs this summer.  A global, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring action for a more just and peaceful world, CISV helps its young participants develop as future leaders and active citizens so they can make a […]

POW/MIA memorial gets new name, bill introduced to Congress

POW/MIA memorial gets new name, bill introduced to Congress

The POW/MIA memorial complex at Cecil Commerce Center is a big step closer to a sought-after national historic designation that could help net funding for further development. It also has a new name: The National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum. Retired Navy Capt. Robert “Bob” Buehn said that U.S. Reps. John Rutherford and Al Lawson introduced […]

Budget approved for 5 Points Concept Plan

Budget approved for  5 Points Concept Plan

The 5 Points Concept Plan, in the pipeline since 2013, is about to become a reality.  Bill number 2019-0505, a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) bill that contains provisions for the 5 Points improvements, was unanimously passed by City Council Sept. 24 and work is slated to begin in January.  District 14 Councilwoman Randy DeFoor, with […]

Public given means to participate in City-County Charter revisions

What is the Charter Revision Commission and why should citizens be concerned about it? For those whose memory stretches back 50 years, the consolidation of the City of Jacksonville and Duval County in 1968 meant a centralized government would end duplication of urban services, such as fire and rescue, increase efficiency, provide political access for […]

Site of former public elementary school planned for new charter school

Site of former public elementary school planned for new charter school

In a few years, the sound of children laughing and playing may again be heard in Mixon Town, where the former Forest Park Elementary School was once “surrounded by a City incinerator on the East, a polluted creek on the North, and a meat and poultry (abattoir) company on the West,” according to documents from […]