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Jacksonville city leaders propose restoration of rundown cemeteries

City leaders took the first steps in restoring several rundown cemeteries, Friday.

The clean-up is part of Mayor Lenny Curry’s upcoming budget.

If approved the $10.8 million project will improve six Northside cemeteries that are resting places for dozens of veterans an African Americans.

The 5 year plan includes work on Hillside, Old City, Sunset, Memorial, Mt. Olive, and Pinehurst cemeteries.

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“We’re going to restore dignity and respect that’s deserved,” explained Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.

Neighbors near Pinehurst told Action New Jax they’ve watched they’ve watched the cemetery fall more and more into disrepair for decades.

“It’s about time that the city, that anybody would take an interest in that because it’s a graveyard,” described Gaydell Highsmith.