Print ArticleOfficially part of the Mid-Westside, Durkeeville grew up as as an African-American streetcar suburb around the first decade of the 20th century. Despite its setbacks, Durkeeville still remains one of Jacksonville’s most intact and pedestrian-friendly working class neighborhoods.
The Oaks at Durkeeville
The original 215 unit Durkeeville housing project opened for occupancy in 1937, as a project built under the Public Works Administration. Like many housing projects, the development would become a place of high crime activity by the late 20th century.
The old projects were replaced by The Oaks at Durkeeville in 1999, as Florida's first redevelopment under the HOPE VI program. HOPE VI is a federal effort to raze brick and concrete warehouses that had come to typify public housing nationwide. The development, in the heart of Durkeeville, consists of 164 apartments, 28 market-rate single family homes, and a 36-unit senior living facility featuring retail space along Myrtle Avenue. Shortly after its completion, the development was identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as one of the top public housing projects in the country for bringing new businesses to a neighborhood.
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