Articles

City Council approves new Boone Park playground

City Council approves new Boone Park playground

Jacksonville City Council approved the appropriation of $255,000 from three sources for contribution towards the installation of a new playscape in Boone Park South (located at the corner of St. Johns and Van Wert Avenues). District 14 Councilman Jim Love allocated $90,000 from District 14 Bond Funds, $75,000 will come from the Countywide Parks – […]

Mother Nature plays dominoes with trees in Old Ortega

A ferocious thunderstorm with a three-minute microburst knocked out power lines, snapped giant oaks and scattered limbs, branches and Spanish moss in Old Ortega at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 22. Skipping down a four-block-wide path during the lightening, thunder and blinding rain, the powerful gust felled trees and utility poles like dominoes in Cortez, Columbus […]

Bill introduced to rename portion of Gary Street

Bill introduced to rename portion of Gary Street

New name to honor long-time San Marco business A portion of Gary Street in San Marco is getting a new name. The 911 Emergency Addressing Advisory Committee has determined a segment of Gary Street between Hendricks Avenue and Kings Street should be renamed to differentiate between unconnected segments of the street due to the Overland […]

Dispute between neighbors sparks new proposed zoning legislation

Dispute between neighbors sparks new proposed zoning legislation

A dispute between Miramar neighbors is the impetus behind District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer’s desire to draft new legislation to govern the size and positioning of garages on through lots in Jacksonville. Because there are very few rules addressing through lots – lots that straddle two roads –  in the city zoning regulations, a new […]

Hendricks Avenue development to combine past, present and future

Hendricks Avenue development to combine past, present and future

Expect a convergence of past, present and future when Ed Ashurian (who also goes by Ash) finishes the renovation of his property at 1440 Hendricks Avenue in San Marco. The “past” portion of the project entails the renovation of the 110-year-old JEA Utility Building, which was built when South Jacksonville was a city separate from […]

Family-owned market gets approval for modest expansion

Family-owned market gets approval for modest expansion

Two seemingly parallel applications for development in the predominantly residential historic district of Riverside and Avondale are, in reality, divergent. While Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) strongly opposes the planned unit development for The Roost, a 150-seat, late-night bar and restaurant on Oak Street, it supported a rezoning request in order to bring the Pinegrove Market […]

Black Sheep gets thumbs up from DDRB

Black Sheep gets thumbs up from DDRB

A proposal for a unique restaurant in the heart of Hemming Park was approved by the Downtown Development Review Board on Feb 25. The 320-square-foot “container” restaurant/bar will be constructed from two repurposed shipping containers at an estimated cost of $241,000, according to Allan DeVault, partner at Black Sheep Restaurant. “The kiosk concept came up […]

Edgewood Bakery closes doors; French Pantry to move in

Edgewood Bakery closes doors; French Pantry to move in

Just one year shy of celebrating 70 years in business, the Edgewood Bakery is closing its doors for good. There is no chance, either, for a purchase and re-opening under the same name as Stache Investments sold the property, after very short negotiations, to local restaurant entrepreneur John Valentino. Valentino, who owns Mellow Mushroom and […]

Homeless feeding ministry in need of saving

Homeless feeding ministry in need of saving

Lead volunteers retiring after 16 years On April 30, when Murray Hill United Methodist Church members Larry and Jane Dixon retire from the Kester Kitchen Feeding Ministry, hundreds of homeless in the Murray Hill community may find it hard to locate their next free meal. After 16 years, the couple is retiring from their work […]