Traffic improvements, more attractive streetscapes and a comprehensive plan were among the topics discussed at a Murray Hill community forum June 11, when the Murray Hill Preservation Association (MHPA) hosted a panel discussion on the Edgewood Avenue corridor’s potential as a small business hub.
Held at Spruce’s new location at 3644 Post St., the event brought together Murray Hill residents with small business owners, professionals and city officials, who shared insights and hopes for the community. Panelists included Christian Harden, co-CEO of commercial real estate brokerage firm NAI Hallmark; the City of Jacksonville’s Director of Small Business Initiatives Brian Bergen and Director of Planning and Development Brett James; Fishweir Brewing Co. Co-Owner Broc Flores; Strategic Relationships & Counsel Founder Jeanne Augspurger; Literary Lounge Co-Owner Mariah Jones; and Chancho King Co-Owner Chason Spencer.
James brought with him a copy of the Town Center Vision Plan for Murray Hill, which was created in 2004. James said he is working to secure funding for “community plans” or “district plans” to help guide community development, which could be an avenue to be explored in Murray Hill.
“It would look at certain goals of the community: What you want to achieve, the vision, which is really where you’re headed,” he said. “And measurable objectives would be established to know you’re moving in that direction, know what you need to do.”
Physical components like the streetscapes would also be considered, which he noted are already being addressed with the roadwork underway along Edgewood Avenue South.
The Florida Department of Transportation has committed more than $7 million to area improvements, including resurfacing roads, constructing a roundabout at Edgewood Ave. and Plymouth St., and installing bike lanes, lighting and signage upgrades.
“That’s a good sign,” James said.
He added, however, that because of “very flat” projections for property tax revenue for the coming year, the budget for a comprehensive plan and related improvements is expected to be tighter.
“There’s money out there, they’re just really constricting wherever they can, so I don’t know how much, if any, I’ll get for what I want to do,” he said. “If there are benevolent organizations that want to put some money toward this, certainly we want to have those conversations.”
In an interview the following day, MHPA Board Member Dawn Emerick said a comprehensive plan or community plan is “a tool we should consider” when addressing what the community envisions for Murray Hill.
“I think that (the panel discussion) was an opportunity for us to look at what all of our options were,” she said.
New energy
Emerick said the panel discussion resulted from MHPA’s new leadership – including new President Greg Beere – which she said has brought new energy and drive to engage residents and small business owners.
“[MHPA] has always been this pillar in the community, trying to organize and mobilize and really just be a good staple in our community,” Emerick said. “…And then you just had this new young energy that was kind of coming onto the board. It’s just been really kind of remarkable to see sort of this shift, if you will, of engagement.”
Emerick added the event was “a call to action” for the community to become more engaged in Murray Hill improvements.
“We really do have an opportunity to shape Murray Hill the way we want to see it in the future,” she said.
Beere said MHPA faced a few “rough” years between the pandemic and the Edgewood Avenue South roadwork, which has prevented the organization from hosting Hilloween, its major fundraising event.
“It’s been tough for us to engage the community,” said Beere, who first joined the board during the pandemic.
Beere said one of his priorities for the organization is to build a foundation to pass on to the next cycle of leadership when the time comes, which led to MHPA’s rebranding and creation of a new website. With those activities completed, he said, MHPA is focused on increasing community engagement to address what he called a “huge disconnect between the community and its businesses.”
“Part of that is just to open up the communication and make sure we’re supporting not only the community, the neighborhood, but also the businesses,” Beere said. “We don’t want to be a merchants’ association for them, but we want to be their supporters – because we feel like the neighborhood really thrives when we have a really vibrant commercial corridor.”
