In the first decades of the twentieth century, when segregation narrowed opportunity and Black mobility was constrained by law, custom, and violence, African American women quietly built institutions that sustained community life. Among them was Alice Kirkpatrick, a Jacksonville businesswoman whose life’s work placed her at the center of Black enterprise, civic organization, and cultural exchange during the Jim Crow era. Read More
The next chapter of downtown’s architectural history is beginning to take shape as plans advance for the transformation of the historic Ambassador Hotel. Gateway Jax acquired the property in March 2025 for $17 million and plans to redevelop it into a 105-key hotel featuring a high-end restaurant and bar, conference space, and additional amenities. The project is scheduled to seek final approval from the Downtown Development Review Board on April 9, 2026. Here’s a closer look at the adaptive reuse plans for this landmark property. Let us know what you think!
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Long before advanced manufacturing defined Jacksonville’s economy, one company helped lay its foundation, one casting at a time. The C.I. Capps Company grew from a small foundry into a cornerstone of the city’s industrial history. Read More
As Jacksonville revisits the future of its Skyway system, the choices made today will shape how people move through Downtown for decades. The question isn’t just how to fix an aging system, it’s what kind of transit future the city truly wants. Read More
