Exposing Jacksonville's "Phoenix"

[Metro Jacksonville]

Exposing Jacksonville's "Phoenix"



Outside of downtown Jacksonville, when one mentions urban neighborhoods, the names of Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, and Springfield come to mind.  However, Jacksonville is a city blessed to have several historical communities just as impressive and walkable in their own right.  Just east of Springfield and straddling Phoenix Avenue, what began as the Dyal Upchurch subdivision is a relatively unknown urban core treat.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-exposing-jacksonvilles-phoenix

[Noone]

Another beautiful journey through Jacksonville history.

[peestandingup]

Yep. This area is great. I ride my bike through there sometimes & am always impressed by it. Don't get me wrong, its still shady in some places, but thats just because its underutilized. This, and down through the Philip Randolph neighborhoods, are actually my favorite in the entire urban core.

Plus, its one of the few downtown land adjacents that actually has plenty of housing stock left that hasn't been bulldozed or completely neglected. Its a real shame that these areas aren't flourishing right now.

[Mathew1056]

It's only a matter of time before this area is recognized by the general public as a desirable place to live. I think it will be a step by step process, though. The economy seems to be recovering and businesses are showing interest in downtown and Springfield. Once a healthy flow of capital begins coming back into these neighborhoods those looking to buy in the urban core market will begin to look for cheaper options. Then the gentrification process begins....

[dougskiles]

The magic of the phoenix is that it rises after each death.  Maybe there is hope!  Love the article.  I am going to swing through the neighborhood the next time I am in Springfield.

[gedo3]

I'm hopeful, too, that this Phoenix will rise.  And I am impressed by the quality and love shown in the homes in the neighborhood.  The people who live there obviously care!

[GoldenEst82]

I drive through this neighborhood twice a day, and I am so happy to see it highlighted. I have often looked at the area and thought, "I wish this could come back." I am very happy to see this neighborhood featured!

[duvaldude08]

The Good ole eastside. Have lots of family out there and spent alot of time out there as a child. Great to finally see the history of the area. Good stuff!

[Tacachale]

I've always thought the Eastside could be Jacksonville's next great urban revival neighborhood. It has the buildings and the vibe, all it needs is some momentum. Once that happens it could take off faster than Springfield.

[thelakelander]

Yes, the Eastside has some great bones to work with.  With that in mind, so does Durkeeville, New Springfield and Brentwood.  These communities are another reason I'm a big supporter of fixed rail transit and the S-Line.  It offers the opportunity to connect all of these communities together and with downtown, simultaneously spurring market rate redevelopment in downtown and all of them.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

i lived there for a few years (duplex on 16th).  i loved it.  wonderfully quiet neighbourhood.  i think the only area i like more is where i live now <3

[duvaldude08]

The Eastside is also much safer than it was in the past. My grand parents stay off 21st and Buckman. It was alwasy referred to as the hood was very crime ridden. Nowadays, its actually very quiet. Everyone has mirgrated to the NW side and the eastside is pretty quiet and dormant now. Perfect time to bring it back to life!

[BrooklynSouth]

That park is perfect for kids. Wow. No traffic and surrounded by houses. In Chicago or New Jersey, having that kind of park in front of your house is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Great article. I'm very curious about "Eastside", which I've never heard anyone say before. I've heard Northside, Westside, and Southside, but never Eastside.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

you ain't never been OutEast?

[Tacachale]

^Brooklyn, Eastside isn't a big section of Jacksonville like the Northside, Southside, or Westside (or Arlington), it's one neighborhood (or a group of a few neighborhoods, depending on how you look at it). It's also pretty impoverished and other than the industrial areas, which employ a lot of people, it doesn't have much that would necessarily bring people from other parts of town right now. Don't tell that to people from those parts, though; many of them consider their area to be equally as significant as the other "sides", and for good reason. East Jacksonville has phenomenal bones, great architecture, and a boatload of potential.