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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 | Uncovering Jacksonville’s Asian American story”
May 10, 2022

THE JAXSON | Uncovering Jacksonville’s Asian American story

Since 1990, May has been recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the achievements, history, culture and…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 Jacksonville bicycle history facts”
May 3, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 Jacksonville bicycle history facts

In honor of National Bike Month, The Jaxson has five Jacksonville bicycle history facts and sites: Built in 1925 for…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s 6 most distinctive foods”
April 26, 2022

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s 6 most distinctive foods

All across Jacksonville and the First Coast, restaurants pride themselves in serving up fresh Mayport shrimp. This isn’t a particular…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 7 historic Arab American sites in Jacksonville”
April 19, 2022

THE JAXSON | 7 historic Arab American sites in Jacksonville

Arab Americans have a long history in Jacksonville tracing back to the 19th century. Between 1890 and 1920, hundreds of…

Featured image for “OPINION | 5 types of missing middle housing Jax should revive”
April 12, 2022

OPINION | 5 types of missing middle housing Jax should revive

Missing middle housing represents many types of residences ranging in scale between single-family homes and massive apartment buildings. From shotgun…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 surviving Chitlin’ Circuit sites in Jacksonville”
April 5, 2022

THE JAXSON | 6 surviving Chitlin’ Circuit sites in Jacksonville

Home to the country’s largest concentration of Gullah Geechee descendants, Jacksonville emerged as Florida’s premier Chitlin’ Circuit destination during the…

Featured image for “OPINION | 5 urban revitalization terms Jax should embrace”
March 29, 2022

OPINION | 5 urban revitalization terms Jax should embrace

Speaking to comparatively simple, cost-effective ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville and the Urban Core, these five terms should be in…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Bronzeville: A revitalization example for Jacksonville”
March 22, 2022

THE JAXSON | Bronzeville: A revitalization example for Jacksonville

Those hoping to revitalize Jacksonville’s historic Black neighborhoods should take a look at Chicago’s Bronzeville. Located in the South Side,…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 women’s history sites in Jacksonville”
March 15, 2022

THE JAXSON | 6 women’s history sites in Jacksonville

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are six sites associated with women who transformed our community and nation. Born…

Featured image for “OPINION | Parking craters: A Downtown vibrancy killer”
March 8, 2022

OPINION | Parking craters: A Downtown vibrancy killer

Despite a common perception that parking is difficult in the city center, Downtown Jacksonville has more surface parking lots, garages…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 female writers from Jacksonville”
March 1, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 female writers from Jacksonville

In honor of the start of Women’s History Month, here are five women with ties to Jacksonville whose writing affected…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 Gullah Geechee dishes to try in Jacksonville”
February 22, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 Gullah Geechee dishes to try in Jacksonville

The Gullah Geechee descended from enslaved Central and West Africans who worked the plantations of the Lowcountry in the coastal…

Featured image for “OPINION | 7 big projects that moved Downtown forward (and how they did it)”
February 15, 2022

OPINION | 7 big projects that moved Downtown forward (and how they did it)

Downtown Jacksonville has its fair share of “gamechanger” developments that have failed to deliver, but when done right, major projects…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 Gullah Geechee communities in Jax”
February 8, 2022

THE JAXSON | 6 Gullah Geechee communities in Jax

Who are the Gullah Geechee? The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of Central and West Africans who have traditionally…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 Black history sites in Brooklyn”
February 1, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 Black history sites in Brooklyn

In honor of the beginning of Black History Month, here’s a review of sites in the quickly changing neighborhood of…

Featured image for “OPINION | A sad lesson from Broad Street’s past”
January 25, 2022

OPINION | A sad lesson from Broad Street’s past

If you travel down Broad Street in Downtown Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood today, you won’t pass by much that’s open. In…

Featured image for “OPINION | Rethinking Jacksonville’s convention center dilemma”
January 18, 2022

OPINION | Rethinking Jacksonville’s convention center dilemma

A new convention center has been in Jacksonville’s long-term plans for decades, but the Downtown Investment Authority now says it…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Northbank Renaissance continues with 4 new projects”
January 11, 2022

THE JAXSON | Northbank Renaissance continues with 4 new projects

Driven by adaptive reuse and historic incentives, Jacksonville’s Downtown Northbank is experiencing a veritable renaissance of new development. Here’s a…

January 4, 2022

OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2022

Jacksonville’s Urban Core is growing again after decades of decline, the Emerald Trail has broken ground, and the Downtown Northbank…

Featured image for “OPINION | What Shad Khan gets right – and wrong – about Downtown”
December 21, 2021

OPINION | What Shad Khan gets right – and wrong – about Downtown

Jaguars owner Shad Khan recently criticized the progress of Downtown revitalization in Jacksonville, saying the area has “gone downhill” over…

Featured image for “OPINION | Duval Schools headquarters must stay Downtown”
December 14, 2021

OPINION | Duval Schools headquarters must stay Downtown

Duval County Public Schools’ announcement that it plans to sell its Southbank headquarters and relocate is welcome news for those…

Featured image for “OPINION | The forgotten factor behind Downtown Jax’s struggles”
December 7, 2021

OPINION | The forgotten factor behind Downtown Jax’s struggles

Analyses of Downtown Jacksonville’s continued struggles typically focus on factors within Downtown’s boundaries. Though generally overlooked, one external factor may…

Featured image for “OPINION | 5 development myths that hold Downtown Jax back”
November 30, 2021

OPINION | 5 development myths that hold Downtown Jax back

Does demolishing old buildings prime the pump for flashy ones? Is 10,000 residents the magic number necessary to enliven Downtown…

Featured image for “OPINION | What hotels can do for Downtown vibrancy”
November 23, 2021

OPINION | What hotels can do for Downtown vibrancy

A new Home2 Suites in Brooklyn is the latest hotel project moving forward in Downtown Jacksonville. With more hotels in…