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Analysis and original reporting from the team behind The Jaxson, which is dedicated to urbanism and culture on the First Coast. The Jaxson explores the big issues facing Jacksonville in the modern era of urban growth, with a look at today's development in the context of yesterday's history. The Jaxson is a partnership of Modern Cities and WJCT Public Media.
Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core housing developments coming outside of Downtown”
October 3, 2023

THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core housing developments coming outside of Downtown

Downtown isn’t the only urban core neighborhood in Jacksonville where large infill development projects are under construction.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Edward Waters University historic district”
September 26, 2023

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Edward Waters University historic district

Part of Edward Waters University was added to the National Register of Historic Places last year. These 6 buildings make…

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 | The history of the Maxey Moody Sr. house”
August 23, 2023

THE JAXSON | The history of the Maxey Moody Sr. house

An old house in Downtown Jacksonville’s Cathedral District contains a fascinating history.…

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 | The story of the Downtown Southbank”
August 1, 2023

THE JAXSON | The story of the Downtown Southbank

Now considered part of Downtown Jacksonville, the waterfront district between the St. Johns River and I-95 has a deceptively long…

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 “OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties”
July 11, 2023

OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties

Here’s a look at a few key Downtown properties that, with a little vision, could serve as catalysts to boost…

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 | Jaxlore: The lost city of Ossachite”
May 16, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The lost city of Ossachite

Many books and articles on local history feature the Timucua town of Ossachite. There’s just one problem: It never existed.…

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.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision”
May 2, 2023

OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision

The debate over demolishing the old Ford plant in Talleyrand missed a key point: It wasn’t demolish or reuse. It…

Featured image for “6 lost towns within Jacksonville’s borders”
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…