$\"logo\"/$ 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.

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 “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

Featured image for “OPINION | 4 myths about Jacksonville’s city government”

December 13, 2022

OPINION | 4 myths about Jacksonville’s city government

Jacksonville City Hall provides no shortage of things to criticize, but there are some common complaints that don’t stand up…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | List: The urban core’s largest historic public parks”

December 6, 2022

THE JAXSON | List: The urban core’s largest historic public parks

Jacksonville is one of largest cities by area in the contiguous U.S., covering 747 square miles of land area. It…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Your tabletop Christmas Village is illegal under modern zoning laws”

November 29, 2022

THE JAXSON | Your tabletop Christmas Village is illegal under modern zoning laws

You may think your miniature Christmas Village is a quaint tribute to the building traditions of yesteryear. However, its walkable,…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The first Thanksgivings on the First Coast”

November 22, 2022

THE JAXSON | The first Thanksgivings on the First Coast

Five decades before the Pilgrims celebrated their feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts, French and Spanish colonists held feasts of celebration on…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | LaVilla’s Railroad Row in color”

November 15, 2022

THE JAXSON | LaVilla’s Railroad Row in color

Between 1890 and 1920, more than 20 million immigrants arrived in the United States. Many found Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood as…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The last days of Adventure Landing”

November 8, 2022

THE JAXSON | The last days of Adventure Landing

For 27 years, Jacksonville Beach’s Adventure Landing has been one of the most popular attractions for kids and their families…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 mid-century modern neighborhoods in Jax”

November 1, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 mid-century modern neighborhoods in Jax

Covering nearly 875 square miles, Jacksonville is a diverse community with a wide collection of neighborhoods appealing to different lifestyles.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: Alpha Paynter, ghost of TacoLu”

October 25, 2022

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: Alpha Paynter, ghost of TacoLu

Before it was TacoLu, the iconic log cabin off Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach was home to the famed Homestead…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: Ghosts of Evergreen Cemetery”

October 18, 2022

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: Ghosts of Evergreen Cemetery

Jacksonville’s historic spaces offer no shortage of secrets and local folklore, and Evergreen Cemetery, the city’s oldest active cemetery, is…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s 10 largest office buildings”

October 11, 2022

THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s 10 largest office buildings

Downtown Jacksonville is home to the region’s tallest buildings, featuring nearly 8 million square feet of commercial space and more…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville could become an oyster town again”

October 4, 2022

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville could become an oyster town again

Oysters have been a staple of First Coast diets for thousands of years, although local oyster harvesting ceased in 1994…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “OPINION | Eastside deserves national historic designation”

September 27, 2022

OPINION | Eastside deserves national historic designation

The history and heritage of Jacksonville’s many Gullah Geechee descendants have been largely overlooked, with little recognition given to the…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Secret Jacksonville: Exchange Club Island”

September 20, 2022

THE JAXSON | Secret Jacksonville: Exchange Club Island

Although it hasn’t always been accessible or maintained, Exchange Club Island is an official city park and one of Jacksonville’s…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville”

September 13, 2022

THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville

Founded in 1822, Jacksonville is home to 107 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Jax should apply for the Reconnecting Communities grant”

September 6, 2022

OPINION | Jax should apply for the Reconnecting Communities grant

The new federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program offers cities funding for projects that restore neighborhoods split and disrupted by highways…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 First Coast beach stories”

August 30, 2022

THE JAXSON | 6 First Coast beach stories

Jacksonville and the rest of the First Coast are home to some of the best, most accessible beaches in a…

By Bill Delaney

The Jaxson