Darkness and Light: A beacon of hate unites a community and reveals the darkness of politics
A beam of light momentarily turned downtown into a beacon of darkness, as antisemitic actors projected a cross and swastika across the face of the CSX building on Jan. 14. But the actors’ intended goal of hate appeared to have had the opposite effect, as the city of Jacksonville immediately rallied behind its Jewish brothers […]
Public dollars for nonprofits scrutinized, funding announced
Increased scrutiny and accountability have forced the hand of the Jacksonville City Council to change the way in which it funds local nonprofits. In the process of implementing change, however, the Public Service Grants (PSG) process that provides funds to help Jacksonville’s most vulnerable adults and families has been upended. On Sept. 28, 2021, when […]
Gaffney withdraws downtown self-storage bill
Last month City Councilman Reggie Gaffney withdrew a bill to bring more self-storage facilities into the downtown overlay district to applause during the July 19 meeting of the council’s Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) Committee and the full city council followed suit seven days later. The acclaim came because the measure was opposed by many […]
More self-storage facilities downtown sparks opposition
With city planning officials reviewing nearly 900 more apartment units proposed in the city’s downtown districts, an Atlanta company specializing in the development of commercial land for retail and self-storage units sees dollar signs. More specifically the company is eyeing the Southbank in San Marco. The company’s attorney, Steve Diebenow, told city council members on […]
Newly formed committee to evaluate inventory, buildings for future use
For many years, some buildings downtown have laid dormant and often dilapidated, yet some are considered to have historic value. A new City Council Special Committee says it wants to find out if they should be saved, or if they’re worthy of a wrecking ball. The Special Committee on Downtown Development was charged with improving […]
