Latest from Urban Issues
Latest Urban Issues articles from Jacksonville, FL
The S-Line: The Key To Urban Economic Revitalization?
While much of the City of Jacksonville's economic development focus has been centered on downtown and big-ticket items such as the Duval County Courthouse and a new convention center, Metro Jacksonville exposes an amenity that surpasses them all: The S-Line Right-of-Way.
Read More
Eleven Principles for Creating Great Community Places
Sometimes instead of dreaming of big ticket and expensive public financed projects for downtown revitalization, it's better to take a step back and attempt to understand the basics of what makes a space great. With this in mind, Project For Public Spaces (PPS) has identified 11 key elements in transforming...
Read More
WOKV Interviews Metro Jacksonville's Stephen Dare
Metro Jacksonville has had the opportunity to speak with WOKV (106.5FM & 690AM) about the major issues facing the city of Jacksonville on multiple occasions. In this interview, Tiffany Griffith on First Coast Forum asks Stephen Dare to provide input about "growth management and development." As to be...
Read More
Portland Loo: Success where others have Failed
Ever attempt to find a public restroom while visiting downtown Jacksonville for an extended period of time? You'll have better luck walking up to a leprechaun holding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. For Portland, Oregon, using public restrooms is not a matter of necessity, it's an act of civic...
Read More
Guest Series: Carmen Godwin, Executive Director of RAP
Metro Jacksonville consistently offers the opportunity for our readers to absorb the editorials, personal accounts, and vocal opinions of some of the key players in the decision making process of our community. This week, Riverside Avondale Preservation Executive Director Carmen Godwin tells what one...
Read More
The Price of Sprawl: Are We Bankrupting Our Future?
According to Tischler Report economic analysts, cost-of-services studies show Florida taxpayers pay $1.39-2.45 for every tax dollar paid by a new development. Costs at the higher end of this range are for development in rural areas. If new development already wasn't covering its costs directly or indirectly,...
Read More
Monroe Street: Do The Right Thing
This evening, the Jacksonville City Council will officially decide to either construct a new street and call it Monroe or to save taxpayers a possible $1 million. Here are five reasons why council members on the fence should not support forcing a new street into the courthouse site.
Read More
Monroe Street Closure On The Brink Of Happening
For those who have not followed us over the years, Metro Jacksonville has been a strong proponent for not rebuilding Monroe Street in front of the courthouse since the City Council approved the current design in 2008.
Read More
The Urban Core Thanks Bill Killingsworth
While the Alvin Brown administration continues to move forward with a massive reorganization of City Hall, the urban core would like to thank former planning director Bill Killingsworth for his service to the City of Jacksonville and encourages the Brown Administration to not only reconsider the role...
Read More
Exposing Dining to the Street: Before and After
As we mentioned during the mayor's race, there won't be a Whole Foods, Publix, Nordstrom, or 10,000 residents beating down the doors of downtown anytime soon. However, not all is lost when it comes to implementing quick affordable downtown revitalization techniques. Better exposing and utilizing what's...
Read More