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.