DIA hits pause on riverfront tower plan
By Michele Leivas The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) has temporarily tapped the breaks on moving forward with any formal negotiations regarding a plan for a new skyscraper on the downtown riverfront. Cross Regions Group wants to build what would be known as Ergisi Tower on the site of a former Jacksonville Landing parking lot. At […]
City Council rejects anti-hate crimes bill
By Michele Leivas The Jacksonville City Council rejected a bill that would have increased fines and penalties for city ordinance violations if they were deemed to be related to hate crimes. Bill #0334 was defeated on a 12-7 vote at the Aug. 13 city council meeting, with councilmembers Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Ju-Coby […]
Laura Street Trio: City files foreclosure lawsuit against developer
By Michele Leivas The Laura Street Trio continues to face an uncertain future, following a foreclosure lawsuit filed by the city against developer and property owner Steve Atkins. Filed Aug. 19, the lawsuit alleges the developer has allowed more than $800,000 in administrative fines for code violations to accrue since October 2015. In a statement, […]
Loyal to Local: Abundant Harvests Farm
By Savanna StillwagnerGuest contributor As you turn the corner onto Farmer’s Row of the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), one booth stands out. The bright red tent and tablecloths, wicker and wooden baskets, and of course, the vibrant colors of their lemons, cantaloupes, tomatoes and lettuce, define Abundant Harvests Farm. Every Saturday, owners Caria and Calvin […]
Meet the candidates: Duval County Public Schools Board Election
Duval County Public Schools Board Election “Update: Due to weather impacts from Hurricane Debby, the start of early voting in Duval County has been postponed until Wednesday, Aug. 7.” Nine Jacksonville citizens have emerged as the candidates running for seats on the Duval County School Board following last month’s qualifying period. The seats for districts […]
Traffic, transportation issues concern families facing possible school closures
When Laura Bearl and her husband moved their family to the Fishweir neighborhood, it was specifically so their children would have just a five-minute walk to the highly rated elementary school. Under Duval County Public Schools’ (DCPS) current Master Facility Plan proposal, however, that 5-minute walk would become roughly 40 minutes if Fishweir Elementary School […]
Lofts at Southbank project receives conceptual approval on 5-2 vote
Dissenting board member criticizes design The Downtown Development Review Board gave conceptual approval with conditions to the Lofts at Southbank mixed-use development at its July 11 meeting. The approval was granted on a 5-2 vote, with board members Trevor Lee and Ennis Davis voting against the approval. The project will return once more to DDRB […]
Proposed sale of church land to developer divides neighbors
When Rachel Brown and James Bodden purchased their home in the Ridgewood neighborhood two years ago, the couple thought they had found a little piece of heaven in Jacksonville. “It was just this idyllic neighborhood,” Brown said. “People were out walking their dogs, kids were playing in the street. We just loved it.” But that […]
