Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing Park

As part of the public-private partnership, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund has announced a formal fundraising campaign for the project and overall commitments of $2.5 million for park development and programming of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park.

Designed by Walter Hood, a renowned landscape architect and 2019 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “genius grant,” Phase one of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park development includes two parts: construction on Lee Street that will begin in early spring 2021 to tie the park into the outdoor destination project known as the Emerald Trail and finalizing the park’s design and engineering to prepare to bid the park for construction. When the park is completed, it will also include a copy of Augusta Savage’s statue Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Harp).

The park will be located at 120 Lee Street, where Jacksonville natives James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson were born. The Johnson brothers wrote and composed the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” frequently referred to as the Black or Negro National Anthem, at their LaVilla home at the turn of the 20th century. The final design and contractor selection for Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park is scheduled for fall of 2021 and construction is expected to wrap up by fall of 2022.

Maritime 618

Capt. Sandy Yawn, a mega-yacht captain and a star of “Below Deck Mediterranean” on the Bravo Network, plans to open Maritime 618 at 618 West Adams Street. 618 West Adams Street was originally used as Fire Station No. 4 and built in 1914. Acquired through Miami Beach-based Yawn Properties LLC. for $185,000 in June 2020, the revamped space will include a restaurant, private club and rooftop lounge. Maritime 618 will serve international seafood and cultural fares and is expected to open in late 2021 or early 2022.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com