Ennis Davis
Ennis Davis, AICP, is an urban planner and member of the city of Jacksonville's Downtown Development Review Board. He is also 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…

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…

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…

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. …

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.…

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…

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…

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.…

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.…

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…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside”
June 20, 2023

OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside

A. Philip Randolph could become a commercial district complementary to the proposed stadium district, with a 1-mile stretch of continuous…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Phoenix neighborhood”
June 13, 2023

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Phoenix neighborhood

Here are five facts about Phoenix, the historic Jacksonville neighborhood named in honor of the city’s rise from the ashes…

Featured image for “OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville”
June 6, 2023

OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville

Here are four proven, relatively simple, common-sense suggestions to spark revival without relying on huge budgets and massive new developments.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Jacksonville’s hamburger history”
May 30, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Jacksonville’s hamburger history

From the first ever Burger King to long-gone local chains, here’s a look at five burger facts from Jacksonville history.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings”
May 23, 2023

THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings

Here are 10 overlooked buildings in Jacksonville that in danger of being demolished if more attention isn’t given to their…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The lost shipyards of Jacksonville”
May 9, 2023

THE JAXSON | The lost shipyards of Jacksonville

Here are five large shipyards that once laid down vessels on Jacksonville’s working waterfront.…

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April 25, 2023

6 lost towns within Jacksonville’s borders

Some of the neighborhoods that now make Jacksonville were once towns in their own right. Here’s the story of 6…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 historical facts about Murray Hill ”
April 18, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 historical facts about Murray Hill 

Do you know these 5 facts about Murray Hill, one of urban Jacksonville’s emerging historic neighborhoods?…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 more shared-use paths coming to town”
April 11, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 more shared-use paths coming to town

Besides the Fuller Warren Bridge’s new shared-use path, here are 5 more major shared-use paths under construction in the Jacksonville…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The 10-year saga of the Fuller Warren pedestrian path”
April 4, 2023

THE JAXSON | The 10-year saga of the Fuller Warren pedestrian path

A decade ago, concerned residents demanded a better transportation solution. As a result, the Fuller Warren Bridge shared-use path opens…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 women’s history sites and stories in Jacksonville”
March 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 women’s history sites and stories in Jacksonville

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few sites and stories associated with women who transformed our community…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective”
March 14, 2023

THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective

Here’s a look back at the decisions that led to “Lenny’s Lawn” and what the future may hold for the…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 15 major apartment projects underway in or near Downtown”
March 7, 2023

THE JAXSON | 15 major apartment projects underway in or near Downtown

Here are 15 significant apartment or townhouse projects currently under construction in or near Downtown Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 facts about LaVilla you should know”
February 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 6 facts about LaVilla you should know

In honor of Black History Month, here’s a look at six stories from LaVilla’s past that deserve to be better…