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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.
logo Perspectives The Jaxson on Jacksonville Today
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 “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.…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

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.…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

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…

By Ennis Davis

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.…

By Bill Delaney

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.…

By Ennis Davis

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…

By Bill Delaney

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…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

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?…

By Ennis Davis

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…

By Ennis Davis

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…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “OPINION | The YIMBY case for historic preservation”
March 28, 2023

OPINION | The YIMBY case for historic preservation

In much writing about urban development, the pro-density Yes In My Backyard movement and historic preservation are often presented as…

By Bill Delaney

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…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

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…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

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.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s signature foods”
February 28, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s signature foods

Jax food: The comprehensive list of Jacksonville’s signature dishes.…

By Bill Delaney

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…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The architectural works of John Anderson Lankford”
February 14, 2023

THE JAXSON | The architectural works of John Anderson Lankford

Regarded as the “dean of Black architecture,” John Anderson Lankford was a nationally known early 20th century architect with significant…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | 5 ways to improve I-95 construction plans in Jacksonville’s urban core”
February 7, 2023

OPINION | 5 ways to improve I-95 construction plans in Jacksonville’s urban core

Proposed improvements to I-95 would hurt Downtown Jax. Here’s how to fix that.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Jax’s Godzilla strategy of urban development”
January 31, 2023

OPINION | Jax’s Godzilla strategy of urban development

Demolishing existing buildings in hopes that flashy new ones will replace them doesn’t work. It’s time to change gears.…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2023”
January 24, 2023

OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2023

2023 could be a year of big change for Jacksonville’s urban core. Here’s a look at five trends to watch…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The railroads of Jacksonville”
January 17, 2023

THE JAXSON | The railroads of Jacksonville

Today, Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia continue to be served by several railroads.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | How to fit a gas station into LaVilla”
January 10, 2023

OPINION | How to fit a gas station into LaVilla

These examples of urban gas stations show that a Daily’s station being proposed for LaVilla can be improved dramatically with…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Florida’s disappearing citrus processing industry”
January 3, 2023

THE JAXSON | Florida’s disappearing citrus processing industry

The orange tree has been a major part of Florida’s identity for centuries. From Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Waterfront parks: 5 models for Jacksonville”
December 20, 2022

THE JAXSON | Waterfront parks: 5 models for Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville boasts one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country, but historically, our public space along it hasn’t…

By Bill Delaney, Ennis Davis and Daniel Herbin - The Jaxson

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