The vibrancy of cities comes in all shapes and sizes. Many believe that what works in internationally known cosmopolitan settings may not be applicable for cities in America that have struggled with embracing walkability. If we look hard enough, we may realize that this type of view should be challenged. Despite the diversity around the globe, all lively cities, downtowns and urban cores have something in common: being pedestrian friendly. Read More
Critics of Consolidation often argue that it failed to deliver on its promises for Downtown Jacksonville and the Urban Core. These arguments often miss the context of the pressures Jacksonville and other cities were facing at the time, which would have only gotten worse without decisive action. When compared to the various other solutions that Florida cities pursued to counter these problems, Jacksonville's bold solution stacks up well. Read More
A catalyst behind the recent and ongoing revitalization of Downtown Pensacola, businessman and entrepreneur Quint Studer served as a keynote speaker at the Jaxson's latest live event, 'Setting the Table for Urban Revitalization'. Identifying (1) programming, (2) retail and entertainment, (3) office and (4) residential as critical components of bringing the core city back to life, the Jaxson revisits Pensacola to serve as a successful visual before and after example of what can happen when such a plan is put into action.
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Historically associated with the Lowcountry region that stretches from Wilmington, North Carolina to St. Augustine, Florida, the Gullah Geechee are descendants of Central and West African ancestors who arrived in America through the transatlantic slave trade. They've had a major impact on the local culture of Jacksonville that continues to be largely overlooked and misunderstood. Prepared for the federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, this brief article is intended to serve as a general, high level overview and introduction of Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee story. Read More
After 17 years of starts and stops, San Marco's long delayed Publix appears to finally be moving forward - though in a dramatically different form than the original proposal. Here's a look at the evolution of the East San Marco development over the years. Read More