Community members unveiled ‘The Ave’ to showcase historic district additions in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Community members “Unveiled the Ave” – to showcase additions to a historic district in Jacksonville. The business corridor on A. Philip Randolph Blvd is transforming into the vision residents ‘Out East’ are striving for.

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One of the state’s largest African American neighborhoods is getting revitalized one paintbrush at a time. Community leaders are investing their dollars and resources to help preserve an area that had been left in the dust.

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“It just looked like something went through here, and it wasn’t a tornado,” community member, Honey Holzendorf said.

But that’s no longer the case. Holzendorf was born and raised on the Eastside and is happy to see the transformation.

“For me being back here really takes my breath away,” Holzendorf said.

The Eastside Legacy Business Council along with community partners like the Jaguars Foundation and Lift Jax have helped revitalize the 10 blocks of the A. Philip Randolph business corridor.

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They helped provide the resources for small business owners to beautify their area through placemaking – with new chairs and tables, fresh paint on their storefronts and with six new murals in the neighborhood.

The ‘Man-Cave’ Barbershop owner Dana Miller says he is happy with the changes he was able to contribute.

“It just exciting to see the neighbors come together, the business owners to come together – bringing the Eastside back to what it once was,” Miller said.

Lift Jax President David Garfunkel says this $100,000 project is part of a larger $20-million investment they have to conserve and transform the entire district.

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The murals help capture rich history of the people who once lived here, and Buster Ford Checkerboard Park has one of them.

“This used to be the spot where folks from the community come out and play checkers, we want to bring that back as a bit of a nod to the past while we also modernized the park for the future,” Garfunkel said.

And while the Jaguars are working to build the Stadium of the Future, they are working with the community to help prevent gentrification.

“All we want is to be a part of this change, not to be kicked out of our community,” Miller said. “And the Jaguars have committed to this community and helping us revitalized – and doing great things.”

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Just last year, Jacksonville’s Eastside was added the National Register of Historic Places – which will help preserve the neighborhood.

“It is our understanding that the historic Eastside is the largest intact African American neighborhood that is on the National Register in The State of Florida,” Garfunkel said. “So we have a true gem in the City of Jacksonville.”

As the community quarterback, Garfunkel says Lift Jax is working to bring mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education, community wellness and long-term financial vitality.

“It’ us keeping our legacy alive and letting our ancestors know that we are still fighting when they couldn’t fight,” Holzendorf said.

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In the summer, plans to open the Debs store -- a grocery that will have fresh food, new employment opportunities, and wellness resources.

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