Drainage project shuts down two-block stretch of Riverside Avenue to resident traffic
A two block stretch of Riverside Avenue from Stockton up to Osceola closed shortly before Thanksgiving for a three-week drainage project. Detours are in place until completion date, estimated for Dec. 9. Residents that reside within the construction area along Riverside Avenue from Stockton Street to Copeland Street will still have access to their homes […]
Chase Properties given first green light, with conditions
$800K deposit for Fishweir Creek one of several conditions At its Nov. 14 public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to approve the proposed St. Johns Village development, upholding the 16 conditions included in the Planning Department’s report. Among those conditions was a requirement that Chase Properties Inc. provide a deposit of $800,000, depositing it into […]
New bill to remove barriers to events in public places
Nonprofit event organizers look forward to streamlined application process – There were a lot of questions last month at the second of three Nonprofit Forums when the City’s Risk Management Division met with community stakeholders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, local officials and City Council members. In recent months, Risk Management has heard concerns from numerous event […]
“Crowdfunding” for teachers prevents dipping into own pockets
PowerUP Jax fuels classroom innovation – Many teachers – perhaps the vast majority – have been known to dip into their own wallets a time or two or more to purchase supplies for creative classroom projects. Now a new initiative launched by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund will make it easier for teachers to raise […]
Absence speaks louder than their words
Where were Lakewood residents? – Based on reports of Lakewood residents unhappy about the ad valorem tax increase, District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer was armed and ready to discuss the events leading up to City Council’s vote to increase property tax by 14 percent. The meeting could have been lively, at best, and contentious, at […]
Excellence in healthcare unsustainable without philanthropic giving
Jacksonville is home to the area’s only locally owned and governed healthcare system. That system receives more than 242,000 visits to its emergency centers annually and it includes five MagnetTM- designated hospitals, with 1,101 beds. (A Magnet designation is the gold standard for excellence in patient care and fewer than seven percent of hospitals in […]
Miss Margie’s house demolished for Hallmark Partners project
RAP concerned about demolition of 90-year-old building – Miss Margie’s house stood at the end of Bishopgate Lane for nearly 90 years, now it is gone. Gone without conversation, debate or compromise. Gone without consideration for its historic significance. Demolished into unsalvageable rubble to make way for a Hallmark Partners residential project, the process leading […]
Artist’s gift of time and talent will be a lasting treasure
There’s nothing better than the surprise and delight of unexpected encounters with art. Through the efforts of organizations such as the Cultural Council’s Art in Public Places, residents are exposed – in a positive way – to a variety of artists’ works. But even the Cultural Council received a nice surprise early last month when […]
