Transit workshops hone in on San Marco
By Steve DiMattia It is not unusual to see Jacksonville’s infamous Skyway traveling its limited 2.5-mile downtown route without any passengers. Many have criticized the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s “boondoggle” for “going nowhere” and suggest that is the reason it is often sans riders. But San Marco engineer Doug Skiles […]
FDOT spending $60 million on neighborhood real estate
By Susanna P. Barton The state Department of Transportation is spending $60 million on neighborhood real estate as it clears the path for the $384 million Overland Bridge replacement project. The state’s local shopping spree means demolition for many area homes and relocation for some area churches and businesses — including The […]
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 […]
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 […]
Plans for East San Marco still a work in progress
By Susanna P. Barton The vacant lots are grassy and green, but that’s about all that’s growing on the high profile San Marco real estate. The property, located at the southeast corner of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard, has long been touted as East San Marco — a mixed-use development including condominium homes and retail […]
