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
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
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
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
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
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 […]
The Way We Were: Helen Peltz Diamond
A “firecracker baby” who was born on the Fourth of July more than 100 years ago, Helen Peltz Diamond has seen more Independence Day celebrations than she may care to mention. This year, however, may have been a celebration for the ages. Knowing Diamond had surpassed her centennial year, more than 100 of her neighbors […]
Local student gathers friends, shoes for impoverished
With a heart for those in need, high school student Christian Glover is not only running hard for the Bolles Cross Country team, but running his own campaign to shoe the shoeless. Glover, a senior at The Bolles School, wanted to help raise awareness and deliver on a higher purpose outside of the typical preseason […]
