VOLUME 1: ISSUE 4
in thiS ISSUE
Donny Mak Reveals Southwest Jacksonville’s Hidden Gems
Six Steps to Start a Neighborhood Organization
Contents
11 Neighbor to
Neighbor
4 Letter from the Mayor 7 Share
Your Square
12 Mosquito Control By The Numbers 13 Dreams Should Come True in Every Zip Code 6 Neighborhoods 14 Neighborhoods Summit Returns Leader Aims to Better Serve 5 Meet Your New Community Best Friend at With Expanded ACPS Offerings 8 How to Start a Neighborhood Organization
10 Around Town: Southwest Jacksonville 2 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
14 Online Resources 15 Neighborhood Notes • •
Foreclosure Property Registry: Protecting neighborhoods from becoming blighted Fair Housing: Ensuring human rights and fair housing for all citizens of Jacksonville
Neighborhood Services Office 214 N. HOGAN ST., 5TH FLOOR JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202 (904) 255-8250 STEPHANIE BURCH Director of Neighborhoods stephanieb@coj.net LISA RANSOM Neighborhood Services Manager lransom@coj.net DAN DURBEC Environmental Programs Specialist ddurbec@coj.net MICHELLE GODWIN-WARE Neighborhood Coordinator for Districts 4 and 6 michellegw@coj.net AMY HAYS HOLLIMAN Neighborhood Coordinator for Districts 1 and 5 aholliman@coj.net ROSEMARY WESOLOWSKI Neighborhood Coordinator for Districts 2 and 3 rosemary@coj.net
Get Help City Customer Service (904) 630-CITY (2489) Disabled Services (904) 630-4940 Head Start to Home Ownership (H2H) (904) 255-8231 Housing and Community Development (904) 255-8200 Jacksonville Housing Authority (904) 630-3810 Jacksonville Human Rights Commission (904) 630-4911 JFRD (Non-Emergency) (904) 630-0434 JSO (Non-Emergency) (904) 630-0500 Neighborhoods Department (904) 255- 7200
OUR JAX MAGAZINE 3
Letter from the Mayor
SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH, BUILDING OUR FUTURE Dear Citizens,
It’s that time of year when kids are going to bed earlier, and the morning commutes are longer. While back-to-school time may cause unusual delays and frustrations, we should all pause to reflect on the collaborative efforts being made to ensure our children’s success. Their ambitions are ours to inspire and support. When they succeed, Jacksonville succeeds. As a community, we must invest in our youth. All kids throughout our city, in every ZIP code, neighborhood, or school, deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams. That’s why I proposed the creation of the Kids Hope Alliance: The Jacksonville Partnership for Children, Youth & Families (KHA), consolidating the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and Jax Journey into one organization 4 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
focused on serving “at-hope” youth. KHA focuses on early learning, juvenile justice, out-of-school programming, and pre-teen & teen programming to be provided in many of our city’s most vulnerable areas and communities. These reforms lead us closer to our mission of One City. One Jacksonville. I look forward to working with City Council, Duval County Public Schools, and all of our partners to increase our focus and improve the lives of youth throughout our city. You can play a key part in our efforts. Mentor a child in need, volunteer at a school, support a nonprofit, or coach a neighborhood youth sports team. We all need to invest in our children’s success. Sincerely,
Mayor Lenny Curry
There are
Plenty of Pets at ACPS.
Adopt or foster! Looking for love? A lifelong companion? A new best friend? A pet may be your answer. Dog’s may be “man’s best friend,” but a cat could be, too. Research shows that living with pets can provide both physical and emotional health benefits for humans and pets alike. Pets like Charlotte below, an adoptable Catahoula Leopard dog mix, are seeking fur-ever homes.
Charlotte was found last Christmas on the side of a Jacksonville road. In addition to being hungry, dehydrated, and tired, she numerous injuries from being hit by a car. After a few months of treatment and care at the City of Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) shelter, staff saw that Charlotte had become very depressed and withdrawn. With love and support from Charlotte’s foster family, she was able to fully recover. “She was very shy and timid at first,” said Skye Bowlin, Charlotte’s foster mom. “It took several days before she would approach us for attention, but once she did, it was wonderful to see her true personality start to come out. She is now a happy dog that loves attention and gets along great with other dogs and cats.”
ACPS conveys each day as it serves citizens with animal protective services, veterinary services, pet adoptions and more. ACPS receives approximately 12,000 animals on average per year—animals like Charlotte, a happy, sweet, dog that loves to cuddle, play with stuffed toys, and is even a little mischievous occasionally. “She has been through so much but she is a survivor and deserves a wonderful family that will appreciate just how amazing she truly is,” Bowlin said. Pets make great investments, and they don’t have to cost a fortune if citizens choose to adopt their new furry friends at the ACPS shelter (2020 Forest St. - 32204) Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Available animals can also be viewed online at coj.net/ AdoptablePets. SHARE THE LOVE. We want to hear your pet adoption and fostering stories. Post to social media using the hashtag #plentyofpets.
Charlotte, like many other shelter animals, experienced a difficult and lonely past. Thanks to the love and companionship provided by her foster family, she has blossomed into the perfect pet looking for a new family. There’s no better place for Jacksonville citizens to adopt a pet than ACPS, where plenty of animals like Charlotte wait in hopes of finding new homes. With a mission to save the lives of all adoptable animals in the community, “Never Stray from Hope” is the message OUR JAX MAGAZINE 5
Neighborhoods Leader Aims to Better Serve Community with Expanded Offerings With nearly 300 employees, the Neighborhoods Department is one of the largest branches of the City of Jacksonville. Divisions and offices include: Animal Care and Protective Services, Environmental Quality, Housing and Community Development, Municipal Code Compliance, Mosquito Control, 630-CITY Customer Service Center, Consumer Affairs, and Neighborhood Services. Each one serves a unique role in promoting the vitality of Jacksonville’s more
than 200 neighborhoods, with tasks including: promoting pet spaying and neutering; safeguarding Jacksonville’s air and water quality; developing affordable housing; enforcing building codes; spraying for mosquitos; providing citizens with access to services and information; offering consumer protection; and assisting Jacksonville residents in enhancing the quality of life in their communities.
Stephanie Burch, Neighborhoods Department director, is leading the effort to provide resources and services to neighborhood organizations and citizens. 6 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
Leading these divisions and offices is Stephanie Burch, Neighborhoods Department. Since assuming the role as director in 2016, Stephanie has collaborated with her teams to maximize City resources for citizens, planning for the development and enhancement of services that address affordable housing, blight reduction, Citizens Planning Advisory Committees (CPACs) participation and more. She said, “Widening our reach and expanding our offerings are among the top priorities for the team. We want to make sure people are receiving the resources they need, when they need them.”
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SHARE YOUR
SQUARE
Jacksonville is BIG. It’s the largest city in the contiguous United States, covering 840 square miles, which means there are many hidden gems like the ones you see here. Can you identify these locations? Better yet, share your own! Show us what you love most about where you live, work, or play by posting your photos on social media with the hashtag #ShareYourSquare.
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Please visit coj.net/ourjaxmagazine to discover the locations of the photos featured above. OUR JAX MAGAZINE 7
Get Organized!
Jacksonville’s neighborhood organiza ons are as diverse as our many residents. But all have similar benefits, and when registered with the City, become eligible to apply for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program. Neighborhood organiza ons may also nominate representa ves to your district’s Ci zen Planning Advisory Commi ee and the Sheriff’s Watch program. If you are not sure if your community has a neighborhood organiza on, contact the Neighborhood Services Office at (904) 255-8250, or check the City’s Directory of Neighborhood Organiza ons on the Neighborhood Services Office webpage: jaxneighborhoodorganiza on.coj.net/orglist. Select a date, me and loca o mee ng. Try to keep the mee neutral and be sure to acco any neighbors with disab Create an agenda and s to it, including a star and end me.
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Plan a neighborhood
1
Gather together a small group of committed neighbors Typically this is five to ten people. However, the group size may depend on the size of the area to be organized or the boundaries of the neighborhood.
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HOST THE FIRST MEETI
A Neighborhood Coordinator is ava to aend and help facilitate your fi mee ng. Make sure you have a sig sheet to obtain email addresses and phone numbers Remember to have plenty of copies of the mee ng agenda on hand. 8 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
How to start a neighborhood organization
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communicate with your residents meeting
on for your e ng space ommodate bili es. s ck rt
ING
ailable first gn-in
s.
Create a flyer explaining that some residents are interested in beginning a neighborhood organiza on. Include the core group’s names and phone numbers to address any ques ons. Don’t forget the me and loca on. The core group can distribute the flyers to each house in the neighborhood but NEVER in their mailbox!
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Follow up on all discussions, decisions, ideas, or concerns
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Thank everyone and have fun Remember that you are a team! You share a passion for the people, places, and spaces that make up your neighbohood.
Make sure mee ng notes get distributed to all the residents and list the date and me for the next mee ng. Communica on is key Remember we are e here herre to t help. he elp The to keeping everyone Neighborhood Services vices ces Office ce is focused involved. on ci zen par cipa on and neighborhood improvements. If you are interested in a detailed training on star ng a neighborhood organiza on, mark your calendar to a end the Neighborhood Summit on November 18. To request assitance, email neighborhoodservices@coj.net or call (904) 255-8250. OUR JAX MAGAZINE 9
Around Town: SOUTHWEST JACKSONVILLE
“Getting to know the residents of the many neighborhoods and businesses located in the Southwest CPAC and assisting them in making decisions that affect their lives is rewarding,” says Bruce Tyson, Chair of the District 4 Citizens Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC). Tyson, who has been active with the Southwest CPAC for 13 years, is serving his fifth term as Chair. As an example of the importance 10 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
of preserving the area’s character and history, Tyson points to the famed chapel at the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station, now home to the Cecil Commerce Center. CPAC
“
...people in the community who have ideas and opinions will find they have a greater voice working through the CPAC.
“
With its mix of historic neighborhoods, beautiful parks and established businesses, Southwest Jacksonville (District 4) benefits from strong traditions and experienced leadership. District 4’s northern boundary includes Old Plank Road, McGirts Creek, Normandy, Boulevard, Cassat Avenue, Kingsbury Avenue, the CSX railroad, and Edgewood Avenue. Its eastern boundary is the St. Johns River, with the Baker County line marking the western boundary, and the Clay County line to the south.
members lobbied to save the chapel from being moved or demolished, and were assured it would be saved for a potential military memorial at the site.
Preserving important links to the past is balanced by planning and development for the future. With support
from area businesses and organizations, the CPAC sponsors biannual bus tours of district growth areas. Tyson says members also work to engage with planners and City leaders on new development including housing and commercial growth, and related parking, road, and drainage issues. Recruiting and nurturing future CPAC leadership is also a priority. Tyson says young people in the community who have ideas and opinions will find they have a greater voice working through the CPAC. “They would meet people and learn more about the activities going on in the district,” Tyson explains. “Involvement in the CPAC gets the ear of City leadership and the mayor’s office. There are City Council members, representatives from the mayor’s office, staff members from all the major City departments, state agencies and educational institutions to provide information and answer questions.”
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR SOUTHWEST JAX SPOTLIGHT: DONNY MAK OF AVONDALE EATS
Biscotti’s at the Shops of Avondale. Not only is it in walking distance from my home, but the food and desserts are excellent. You can dine bistro style on St. Johns Avenue.
Arts & Culture
One of the best pieces of public art in town is the “Life” sculpture in Memorial Park on the St. Johns River in Riverside You can’t look at it and not think of all the history here.
entertainment
Sun Ray Cinema is the best place to watch a first run movie while eating amazing pizza. This theater is located in totally unique 5 Points. There’s nothing like it in the city.
Donny Mak is a resident of the Avondale neigborhood and is involved in historic preservation of residential structures. In 2016, he was the recipient of a Historic Preservation Commission Preservation award for residential construction. “Southwest Jacksonville’s got character,” said Mak. “With its unique historic homes and walkable shops and dining, there’s nothing else like it.”
hIDDEN TREASURES #MyOneThing The rope swing at the end of Edgewood Ave. South. It offers beautiful views of the St. Johns River, San Marco and Downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is a pretty laid back place to live... but if you crave excitement, you can still find the craziness if you look hard enough.
parks
Boone Park is nearby and a great place to walk my dog, Lily.
Want to get involved in a CPAC? Visit coj.net/cpacs, call the Neighborhood Services Office at (904) 255-8250, or email Neighborhood Coordinator Michelle Godwin-Ware at michellegw@coj.net. OUR JAX MAGAZINE 11
Mosquito Control BY THE NUMBERS
The Mosquito Control Division is responsible for managing the mosquito population in Duval County. That’s 840 square miles of beaches, marshes, swamps, and neighborhoods to serve. From fog trucks to light traps, aerial spraying to sentinel chickens, they employ a wide variety of methods to reduce the mosquito population every day.
To request Mosquito Control to inspect or spray your property or neighborhood, contact (904) 630-CITY (2489) and an operator will assist you. Requests can also be made online at 630city.coj.net. TYPES OF
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MOSQUITOES IN DUVAL COUNTY
6,586
INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED SINCE JANUARY 1, 2017
1,700
SCRAP TIRES INSPECTED
30,195
STORM DRAINS INSPECTED
17,245
STORM DRAINS TREATED
12 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
208,594
ACRES TREATED
What I Can Be From A to Z, Mayor Lenny Curry launched the initiative to give every baby born in Jacksonville a book at St. Vincent’s Hospital on July 19, 2017.
Dreams Should Come True in Every Zip Code From an artist to a zookeeper, and meteorologist to mayor, every child born in Jacksonville deserves the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams. In celebration of his own birthday in July, Mayor Lenny Curry joined his family, executives from local hospitals elected officials, and community leaders to launch What I Can Be From A to Z, an initiative developed to inspire dreams and demonstrate support for our city’s youngest citizens. “Every child has a dream,” Mayor Curry said. “I wanted to be an NFL linebacker. From my earliest years, I always knew my parents believed in me and supported my wildest dreams and greatest passions. As mayor, I believe that we should be doing the same for our city’s kids—investing in programs and supporting initiatives that build brighter futures, pathways and opportunities for youth and families throughout Jacksonville.” Each year, approximately 12,000–14,000 babies are born in Jacksonville. Research has shown that reading regularly with young children stimulates brain development, improves literacy, and strengthens parent-child relationships. Children from languagerich families hear 10 times more words than children from underprivileged families, which often results in improved school performance. One-third of American
children start school without adequate language skills to succeed. In addition, statistics support that children born in low- and moderate- income families face greater barriers in achieving educational opportunities that contribute to their success. What I Can Be From A to Z is a nearly 40-page book filled with colorful children’s artwork depicting careers and professions that correspond to each letter of the alphabet. Described as “a promising journey for Jacksonville’s youngest citizens,” the book will be distributed to babies born in local hospitals including Baptist, Memorial, UF Health, and St. Vincent’s. Each book, which also features a poem for parents to read to their children, also includes a Happy Birthday card from the mayor, and a bookmark encouraging parents to register their infants for a library card. The early learning and school readiness initiative began out of Duval County Public Schools with support from the Chartrand Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and has been expanded through a $25,000 donation provided by Construction & Engineering Solutions, which allows every baby born in a Jacksonville hospital over the next year to receive a free book. The book is also available for check-out at Jacksonville library locations. For more information, visit coj.net/atoz. OUR JAX MAGAZINE 13
Save the Date 11
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Please join us!
Neighborhoods Summit
The first annual Neighborhoods Summit is just around the corner, so mark your calendars for November 18, 2017. This event is FREE to the public. If you’re interested in learning more about City services and how to improve your neighborhood, this is a can’t miss event.
COJ.NET/NEIGHBORHOODSSUMMIT2017
ONLINE RESOURCES By now you know you can adopt a pet from Animal Care and Protective Services, but there are also ways to help even if you can’t provide a fur-kid with a forever home. Donate critically needed items, volunteer your time at the shelter, or foster a dog or cat for few weeks. Check out coj.net/pets to discover what you can do to better the lives of companion animals in our community! 14 OUR JAX MAGAZINE
FORECLOSURE PROPERTY REGISTRY The Foreclosure Property Registry was established in 2010 to limit and reduce the deterioration of property located within the City of Jacksonville caused by foreclosure, and to create a mechanism to protect neighborhoods from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance of homes going through the foreclosure process. In 2015 the law was amended to require mortgagees (banks/lending institutions) to register all properties whose mortgages are in default or foreclosure, and pay registration fees. The funds collected through the foreclosure registry are deposited into a special account in the Neighborhoods Department. They are dedicated to the cost of developing community revitalization projects, and to protecting against and removing blight due to real property deterioration. The funds are allocated to projects based on a
three-tier policy. The first tier focuses on reaching homeowners trying to navigate the foreclosure process and provides funding for foreclosure intervention and foreclosure counseling programs. The second tier addresses neighborhoods by providing funds to address blight caused by vacant and abandoned homes, as well as assistance in the creation of affordable housing. The third tier addresses the greater Jacksonville community through the rebirth of the CommUniverCity training program, Neighborhood Matching Grant program and funding for the publication of the Our Jax magazine. The Neighborhoods Department is excited to bring you these programs and looks forward to your feedback. If you have any questions regarding the Foreclosure Property Registry, contact: Housing Property Administration Phone: (904) 255-8197
FAIR HOUSING The purpose of Fair Housing initiatives is to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by means of the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws. Fair Housing policies protect people from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. In addition, housing providers that receive Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding, and have loans and lenders insured by the Federal
Housing Administration (FHA), may be subject to HUD program regulations intended to ensure equal access of LGBT persons. The Neighborhoods Department, Housing and Community Development Division has partnered with the Human Rights Commission to make a collaborative effort to ensure Human Rights and Fair Housing for all citizens of Jacksonville. If you feel you are a victim of discrimination or to learn more, visit coj.net/Departments/ Neighborhoods/Housing-andCommunity-Development/Fair-Housing. OUR JAX MAGAZINE 15
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ANIMAL CARE & PROTECTIVE SERVICES
PLENTY OF PETS
LOOKING FOR THE PURRRFECT MATCH? Animal Care & Protective Services has PLENTY OF PETS who are looking for long-term relationships. Stop by today and fall in love!
TOBY
PLENTY OF PETS
CONRAD
PLENTY OF PETS
I’m a PYT looking for an energetic forever family that enjoys frequent walks and playing tug-of-war with toys.
A cool cat seeking human companion for snacking, snuggling and sunbathing.
ADOPT Foster VOLUNTEER a
AMIGO
PLENTY OF PETS
Pssst... Want to be my BFF? I’ve never met a stranger, because I’m instant friends with everyone I meet.
a
Call us at (904) 630-2489 Visit us at 2020 Forest St., 32204 Learn more at coj.net/pets
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION...
Spay OR Neuter .