Top Stories

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

‘Developing’ news for 5 Points

‘Developing’ news for 5 Points

It’s musical storefronts for some businesses in 5 Points. Next month Fans & Stoves Antique Mall plans to open in a new location right around the corner from its current venue on Park Street. The business, owned by Riverside resident Ruben Escajeda, will be moving into 6,500 square feet of space at 800 Lomax St., […]

New playground within reach for Boone Park

New playground within reach for Boone Park

Thanks to Delores Barr Weaver, children and adults who currently enjoy Boone Park South will have more fun and interaction when a new playscape is installed later this year. There’s just one small catch. Friends of Jacksonville Parks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that is raising community funds for the renovation of Boone Park (south) playground, […]

New statue honors founders of St. Vincent’s Hospital

New statue honors founders of St. Vincent’s Hospital

In celebration of its centennial this year, St. Vincent’s HealthCare commissioned a new statute to honor its founders, the Daughters of Charity. The unveiling of the statue, donated by local philanthropist Helen Murchison Lane, took place on Feb. 17 at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Shircliff Way. The sculpture, by 87-year-old artist Captain Robert […]

Business owners and bicyclists debate need for Hendricks Avenue on-street parking

Business owners and bicyclists debate need for Hendricks Avenue on-street parking

While area bicyclists cheer the prospect of having a seven-foot bike lane run the length of San Jose Boulevard and Hendricks Avenue to the Southbank, Hendricks Avenue business owners fear the removal of on-street parking from Cornell Street to San Marco Avenue will have a devastating impact on their livelihoods. In a public meeting Jan. […]

Park Street corridor to include more pedestrian, cyclist safety

Park Street corridor to include more pedestrian, cyclist safety

With an eye to a future that puts walking and bicycling into the transportation mix, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority began in August 2015 to hold a series of charrettes focusing on 14 mobility corridors throughout Duval County The charrettes – meetings allowing all stakeholders to identify issues and develop solutions – came on the heels […]

Residents consider changes to Riverfront Park

Residents consider changes to Riverfront Park

Fishing platforms, fencing, and turning River Road into a one-way street are some solutions city officials are contemplating as a response to resident’s concerns about problems stemming from public fishing in Riverfront Park. On Jan. 19 at Preservation Hall in San Marco, District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer convened a meeting so Riverfront Park area residents […]

‘Not rain…tears of joy’ for dog park groundbreaking

‘Not rain…tears of joy’ for dog park groundbreaking

Officials from Riverside Avondale Preservation, the City of Jacksonville and key donors gathered in a light rain under the canopy of I-95 to formally kick off construction of the John Gorrie Dog Park at Riverside Park, a new off-leash dog park in 5 Points. Speaking at the Jan. 22 groundbreaking were RAP Executive Director Carmen […]

Boyer, residents seek ways to shield neighborhood river access from graffiti, teen partying

Boyer, residents seek ways to shield neighborhood river access from graffiti, teen partying

Fed up with graffiti on the bulkhead, overflowing litter, and frequent drug and alcohol use by teens in the city’s riverfront right-of-way at the end of Inwood Terrace, neighborhood residents met with District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer in January to seek solutions. In response to a resident’s suggestion that the area be turned into a […]