Ennis Davis
Ennis Davis, AICP is an urban planner and co-owner of The Jaxson and Modern Cities. A civic activist dedicated to improving communities, Ennis is also vice president of membership services and outreach for the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, a Florida Trust for Historic Preservation trustee, Groundwork Jacksonville board member, and author of award-winning books Reclaiming JacksonvilleCohen Brothers: The Big Store and Images of Modern America: Jacksonville. He holds a bachelor’s of architecture degree from Florida A&M University. Reach Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com.
Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts”
September 19, 2023

THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts

here are nine stories that suggest Hispanic influence on the development and culture of Jacksonville is just as old as the city itself.

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 4 mass transit projects comparable to the U2C in price”
September 12, 2023

THE JAXSON | 4 mass transit projects comparable to the U2C in price

Here are 4 mass transit projects that were recently completed for a similar cost per mile to Jacksonville’s proposed Skyway replacement.

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | A trip down memory lane: LaVilla”
September 5, 2023

THE JAXSON | A trip down memory lane: LaVilla

For more than a century, the neighborhood of LaVilla was the epicenter of African American culture, entertainment and commerce in Northeast Florida.

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Featured image for “OPINION | Time to cut bait on JTA’s driverless Skyway replacement”
August 30, 2023

OPINION | Time to cut bait on JTA’s driverless Skyway replacement

There are other options for public transit that are cheaper, carry more passengers and are available right now. 

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Lackawanna neighborhood”
August 15, 2023

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Lackawanna neighborhood

Here are five stories connected to a historic Jacksonville neighborhood that developed around a 19th century railroad yard: Lackawanna.

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Featured image for “OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility ”
August 8, 2023

OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility 

A Jacksonville Transportation Authority facility planned for LaVilla doesn’t align with the vision for Downtown. These 6 recommendations could fix that.

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 3 Jacksonville breweries of yesteryear ”
July 25, 2023

THE JAXSON | 3 Jacksonville breweries of yesteryear 

The brewing of beer in Jacksonville dates back to the 19th century. Here are 3 local breweries that were in operation prior to Prohibition.

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Featured image for “OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy”
July 18, 2023

OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy

It’s possible to create a much more active and vibrant Downtown Jacksonville even without moving the jail.

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots”
July 4, 2023

THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots

Here are 10 historic train stations that stand today in the Jacksonville area. Two of them are still functioning.

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 sites from LGBTQ history in Jax’s Urban Core”
June 27, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 sites from LGBTQ history in Jax’s Urban Core

Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history has always been rich and colorful, if often overlooked. Here’s a tour of five sites across the Urban Core with ties to the city’s LGBTQ story.

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