2. Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church

The 12, 337 square foot Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church at the intersection of Laura and Monroe Streets was built in 1903. It served as a church until its congregation was disbanded in December 1992. In 2000, the church was purchased by the St. Johns River City Band. After convincing the city to take over their mortgage, the band left leaving the city with another abandoned property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the DIA plans to issue a request for proposal for the Snyder Memorial building by early summer 2018.

1. LaVilla Railroad Row

Just north of the Prime Osborn Convention Center, the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) own roughly five blocks of land currently being used for parking. Prior to the demolition of LaVilla, these blocks were a part of a vibrant district called Railroad Row. At its height, Railroad Row was dominated by liquor companies and small hotels catering to the railroad terminals within walking distance. The northern blocks were primarily residential and include the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. Adjacent to the future Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, the DIA plans to work with JTA to issue a request for proposal by the end of the year.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Davis is a certified senior planner and graduate of Florida A&M University. He is the author of the award winning books “Reclaiming Jacksonville,” “Cohen Brothers: The Big Store” and “Images of Modern America: Jacksonville.” Davis has served with various organizations committed to improving urban communities, including the American Planning Association and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. A 2013 Next City Vanguard, Davis is the co-founder of Metro Jacksonville.com and ModernCities.com — two websites dedicated to promoting fiscally sustainable communities — and Transform Jax, a tactical urbanist group. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com