In observance of Christmas, the following City government offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec.  25.

Starting Friday, Dec. 18, at 9 a.m., the City of Jacksonville will provide another round of funds for businesses affected by the pandemic through its Small Business Relief Program. Along with offering financial support to those who lost revenue due to the impact of COVID-19, the program was designed to encourage approved businesses to retain their employees.

Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) and the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) are inviting residents to participate in the Silent Night program by fostering a shelter pet through the holiday.

The Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program is moving into its second phase, providing support to local business owners. The application for commercial properties will be available at JacksonvilleCares.com at noon Thursday, Dec. 10. The program launched phase one at the beginning of the month with assistance for residential properties.

Celebrate the Holidays in James Weldon Johnson Park

By highlighting our city’s black-owned restaurants, we are presenting an opportunity for citizens to discover dining spaces, gain exposure to and develop an appreciation for new food, and support local businesses and communities,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “I am proud that Jacksonville is one of the first cities in Florida to participate in Black Restaurant Week and look forward to it becoming a tradition.”

Program Will be Available for Residential and Commercial Properties
 

In observance of Thanksgiving, the following City government offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov.  27.

Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) is joining forces with the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) for a Black Friday pet adoption event.

Project Leaders Celebrate Completion After Two Decades of Collaboration

The City of Jacksonville’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (JaxParks), along with its partners Florida Park Service (FPS), National Park Service (NPS), North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) and Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF), have branded the 5,600 acres of contiguous conservation lands in northeast Jacksonville that are linked by trails and waterways as the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The destination is named for the number of creeks that surround the contiguous park lands of Betz-Tiger Point Preserve (JaxParks), Bogey Creek Preserve (NFLT), Cedar Point Preserve (JaxParks), Cedar Point (NPS), Jim Wingate Preserve (JaxParks), Pescatello Island (NFLT) and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park (FPS). In addition to the new name, the seven parks included in the system received several upgrades that will improve their interconnectivity and enhance visitors’ experiences.

A Jacksonville holiday tradition is making its return to Thanksgiving weekend. The City of Jacksonville is excited to announce the annual Jacksonville Light Boat Parade on Nov. 28, 2020. The parade will feature guest judges and will wrap up with one of the best fireworks presentations featuring “waterfalls” off of the Main Street and Acosta Bridges.

In partnership with New Town Success Zone, Celebration Church, and the Mayo Clinic’s Wellness Rx program, the Mayor's Community Based Crime Reduction Program will host its first Community Impact Day on Saturday, November 21st, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Edward Waters College’s campus at 1401 Grunthal Street – 32209. Residents of New Town, LaVilla, Grand Park, and Durkeeville are invited to drive through to share their opinions about what it will take to reduce crime and improve public safety in Mid-Westside Jacksonville. Free Thanksgiving ​feast baskets will be given to those who attend while supplies last! Strict COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. For more information, visit coj.net/cbcr.

The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) launched the Downtown Perseveration and Revitalization Program (DPRP) to boost the City incentive for historic redevelopment. Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved the DPRP bill, lifting previous restrictions that no longer meet the financial realities of rehabilitating historic structures. The new program intends to foster the preservation and revitalization of unoccupied, underutilized, and/or deteriorating historic, and qualified non-historic, buildings located in Downtown Jacksonville. The DPRP is designed to serve projects applying for more than $100,000 as well as code compliance projects on older buildings that do not have historic landmark status.

800 Vaccines a Week Will be Available to Residents of Duval County
 

To all of the veterans, including the 150,000 that call Jacksonville home, thank you for your service. We appreciate everyone who participated in our Veterans Day festivities.