Top Stories

The latest news and biggest stories from both sides of the river.

Avondale parking a never-ending problem with difficult solutions

Avondale parking a never-ending problem with difficult solutions

Economic success, at least in Avondale, has come at the price of parking – or the lack of it. In the three years following the success of Mellow Mushroom’s foray into the neighborhood, the commercial mix in a three-block portion of St. Johns Avenue known as the Shoppes of Avondale has begun to change in […]

Amendments to Riverside Avondale Zoning Overlay underway

Amendments to Riverside Avondale Zoning Overlay underway

While some residents of Riverside and Avondale wait for legislation to help curtail retail and commercial development in the historic district, attorneys for restaurateurs are busy filing applications, administrative deviations and waivers, which will “grandfather” their projects against any new regulations. For almost three months, District 14 Councilman Jim Love’s bill to amend the Riverside […]

Third time may be the charm for Commander/St. Johns Village

Third time may be the charm for Commander/St. Johns Village

Calling it “Commander 3.0,” Jeff Graf said he had “lived through” two previous versions and hoped this would be the last of what could happen to the property on St. Johns Avenue known as St. Johns Village and Commander Tower Apartments. In a community meeting Aug. 29 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, […]

Proposed restaurant in Avondale receives green light

Proposed restaurant in Avondale receives green light

Against the recommendation of the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department and despite passionate pleas from Avondale residents, businesses, and property owners, the Planning Commission voted 5-3 to approve a request for a 120-seat restaurant to move into the Shoppes of Avondale without having to provide any off-street parking. The applicant, property owner Thomas […]

Consultants update community on city bike-ped master study

Consultants update community on city bike-ped master study

Halfway during its 18-month Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Study, consultants hired by the City of Jacksonville were still seeking community input in order to find ways to transform Jacksonville into one of the best cities for walking and biking in the Southeast. In the first of two public meetings held Aug. 23 and Aug. […]

Development review board grants The District design authority

Development review board grants The District design authority

The Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) broke new ground Aug. 25 when it unanimously granted conceptual approval – with one abstention – for The District – Life Well Lived during a meeting at City Hall. Board member Bill Schilling abstained due to a conflict of interest. In what may be an example of unprecedented faith […]

Historic Life release arrives for newcomers, visitors alike

Historic Life release arrives for newcomers, visitors alike

The Resident Community News Group’s annual Historic Life – Neighbors and Newcomers Guide is now available at hundreds of local businesses in the historic districts and select newsstand locations. The 100-page guide, which made its debut August 1, takes an in-depth look at each of the seven neighborhoods served by the local community newspaper group. […]

New City Council president sets goal to “be bold and dream big”

New City Council president sets goal to “be bold and dream big”

It was a family affair when Lori Boyer took the oath to become president of the Jacksonville City Council. Boyer’s son R. J. Nemeyer held the Bible while her husband, Judge Tyrie W. Boyer of the Fourth Circuit Court, administered the oath of office during an installation ceremony at the Ritz Theatre June 30. In […]