Big changes are coming to Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood, and the Downtown Investment Authority wants community input to help shape them.
The DIA is holding three public meetings, and the first one is coming up Tuesday, Sept, 4, the day after Labor Day.
The majority African-American neighborhood just west of downtown was largely razed in the mid-1990s, and much of it remains undeveloped.
Related: The Jaxson: Public Meetings To Be Held On LaVilla Redevelopment
Cantrece Jones works for Acuity Design Group, a subcontractor working with advisors Peter Rummell and Michael Munz on LaVilla’s development strategy.
See Also: Zoomable PDF LaVilla Map That Shows Development Plans And Property Owners
Their goal is “to take an overall look at the property—mostly the city-owned property and the vacant land—to see what can be developed in the area,” she said. The strategy that’s being put forward is different from a development master plan, she said.
Jones said everyone is welcome to come to the meetings to weigh in on an area with a rich history.
“It’s imperative for us to reach out to the community and get their insight,” she said. “There are so many different projects that are happening. And (we’re seeing) the level of growth that we want to see and positivity that we want to see in the area.”
The first meeting was originally set for last Monday, Aug. 27, but it was rescheduled because of the shooting at the Jacksonville Landing.
The final development strategy will be presented at the third meeting, now set for September 27th.
The new meeting schedule is:
- Tuesday, Sept. 4: LaVilla History
- Thursday, Sept. 20: LaVilla Today
- Thursday, Sept. 27: LaVilla’s Future
All meetings will be held at The Ritz Theatre and Museum at 829 N. Davis St. from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Questions should be directed to Cantrece Jones at 904-236-4106 or CJones@adgmark.com.
