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“The Durkeeville Revitalization Study will develop a plan for guiding the revitalization of an economically challenged, traditionally red-lined section of the city’s urban core. This is a critical investment into one of the oldest Black communities of our city."- Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan

Durkeeville is one of Jacksonville’s most historically significant Black neighborhoods, home to a legacy of homeownership, local enterprise, cultural pride, and sports excellence. This community-led revitalization effort builds on decades of vision to secure a future rooted in equity, culture, and opportunity.

The task reports are available upon request by sending an email to info@planningcollab.com

Project Goals

The Durkeeville Revitalization Study is focused on implementation. It aims to:

• Reestablish Myrtle Avenue and Kings Road as walkable, Black-owned commercial corridors
• Build affordable and mixed-income housing in architectural harmony with the neighborhood
• Improve infrastructure, including sidewalks, lighting, and pedestrian safety
• Activate community spaces, parks, and cultural anchors
• Invest in residents and local organizations with technical support and capacity building

About the Project

The Durkeeville study area has a rich cultural and architectural heritage, with more than $400 million in public investment already committed or planned. This includes:

• J.P. Small Field and proposed museum upgrades
• Emerald Trail (Segment 7) through West 8th Street and Myrtle Avenue
• Replacement of the Dallas Graham Library expansion and rehabilitation
• Infill affordable housing on Jacksonville Housing Authority properties

Unlike previous studies, this project is centered on action, moving plans off the shelf and into the streets through phased funding, community partnerships, and technical assistance.

Contact Us

Project Team:

• Ennis Armon Davis, AICP – Community Planning Collaborative
    ennis@planningcollab.com
• Temisha Hill – Jax Community Impact Collaborative
   32209cic@gmail.com
• Kaysie Cox – City Planner Supervisor – City of Jacksonville Planning Department
   KaysieC@coj.net

Community Engagement

Engagement Summary

• Steering Committee Meetings – 5+ meetings since Fall 2024
• Workshops – Hundreds participated in sessions at Beaver Street Enterprise Center
• Stakeholder Interviews – With churches, developers, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville Housing Authority, and grassroots groups
• Surveys & Visual Preference Voting – Clear preference for Frame and Masonry Vernacular residential architectural styles
• Field Walks – Guided by resident and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Oral Histories – Stories about Mt. Herman Cemetery, The Window, and local legends like Zara Cully-Brown

The Vision: Withintrification and Cultural Preservation

Rather than gentrification, the strategy advances withintrification, which is revitalization led by and for current residents, and cultural preservation. The plan focuses on:

• Centering community in decision-making
• Revitalizing Myrtle Avenue and Kings Road as Black-owned business corridors
• Promoting affordable homeownership and missing middle housing
• Aligning $385+ million in committed public investments with community priorities
• Emphasizing the legacy of the neighborhood through historic and cultural preservation
• Building local capacity through technical assistance and organizational support

Implementation Strategy Overview

The plan organizes over 40 projects into short-term (2025–2026), mid-term (2026–2029), and long-term (2030 and beyond) actions, tied to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and the Community Vision Pillars. These projects address:

• Economic Development: Reinvestment in commercial corridors; support for Black-owned businesses and job creation
• Housing: Infill housing compatible with Durkeeville’s historic character; expanded affordable homeownership
• Infrastructure & Accessibility: Safe sidewalks, lighting, and drainage upgrades; enhanced connectivity via the Emerald Trail
• Cultural Preservation: Protecting historic resources like Mount Herman Cemetery, legacy businesses, and J.P. Small Field
• Community Resources: Expansion of libraries, youth programs, senior services, and health access

Available Reports

The below task reports are available upon request by sending an email to info@planningcollab.com

Each report below corresponds to a key milestone in the project timeline:

• Task 2: Existing Conditions
• Analysis of housing stock, environmental risks, zoning, and demographic trends.
• Task 3: Community Engagement Summary
• Documentation of surveys, workshops, field walks, and visual preference feedback.
• Task 4: Historic and Cultural Resources
• Black history documentation, architectural legacies, and cultural anchors.
• Task 5: Concept Planning & Analysis
• Draft design concepts for infill housing, Myrtle Ave business district, and place-based activation.
• Task 6: Recommended Concepts
• Refined site plans and renderings shaped by resident and stakeholder feedback.
• Task 7: Implementation Strategy
• Phased approach to funding, site development, and community capacity building.
• Task 8: Final Plan
• Comprehensive summary of all phases of the Durkeeville Revitalization Study, including community engagement, final design concepts, implementation strategy, and next steps for public and private investment.

Media

“Durkeeville revitalization study a ‘new chapter’ for historic Black community” – Jacksonville Today

This article discusses the City of Jacksonville's $200,000 investment in a study aimed at redeveloping over three dozen vacant properties in Durkeeville. The Community Planning Collaborative will lead the study, ensuring an equitable and inclusive plan by working closely with residents and community leaders. The initiative builds upon past efforts, acknowledging previous challenges such as unutilized tax credits and environmental issues like soil contamination from a former incinerator site. Community leaders express cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of completing what was started decades ago.
https://jaxtoday.org/2024/07/01/durkeeville-revitalization-study-a-new-chapter-for-historic-black-community/

‘It would look like a thriving community’: New bill would bring study to revitalize, improve historic Durkeeville” – News4JAX

This piece highlights the introduction of a new bill proposing a study to revitalize Durkeeville, one of Jacksonville's oldest African American communities. Dr. Stanley McAllister, president of the Durkeeville Neighborhood Association, underscores the community's longstanding efforts to push for improvements and fulfill unkept promises. The bill represents a step toward acknowledging and addressing the needs of the historic neighborhood.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/04/19/it-would-look-like-a-thriving-community-new-bill-would-bring-study-to-revitalize-improve-historic-durkeeville/

“City leaders launch study to revitalize Durkeeville neighborhood” – First Coast News

This article covers the official launch of the "Miracle on Myrtle" study, a $200,000 initiative by the City of Jacksonville to revitalize Durkeeville. The study focuses on commercial development, affordable housing, and preserving the neighborhood's rich history. Mayor Donna Deegan emphasizes the significance of investing in one of the city's oldest Black communities. The study area includes Myrtle Avenue, Kings Road, and the S-Line Urban Greenway, with plans to address over 30 vacant lots owned by the Jacksonville Housing Authority.
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-leaders-launch-miracle-on-myrtle-study-to-revitalize-durkeeville-neighborhood-local-news-development/77-e341d945-510d-4a49-98da-77d50c00de4a

“Jacksonville City Council tables move to give Durkeeville $200K in federal funding” – Yahoo News

This brief report notes that the Jacksonville City Council postponed a decision on allocating $200,000 in federal funding for Durkeeville's revitalization. The delay reflects ongoing deliberations among council members regarding the investment in the historic neighborhood.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jacksonville-city-council-tables-move-025528728.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFzckiS2xywCB3xLPzgGOvOuyp6xZTelbLeQ05PFlgphVOrZWV9K6UPUXtzmFlmQ4bWDtGuk-bUQ_dEwrkOi-S_CaVLsJtud2i0f6krxlJZQtyJPvThrNWK1PR2G0QoewRNtR8BjlgsPN0UzLdJ4P1pROrNKRx2zgdkE9w68KA0O

The task reports are available upon request by sending an email to info@planningcollab.com