COMMUNITY CORNER: RECENT HAPPENINGS
The annual Turkey Time with the Jaguars presented by TECO Peoples Gas provided 600 local families in need with a complete Thanksgiving meal. Jaguars players Chad Muma, Tre Herndon, K’Lavon Chaisson and Christian Braswell, members of the ROAR, Jaxson de Ville and volunteers gathered at EverBank Stadium to help distribute the meals to local families in conjunction with Feeding Northeast Florida.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation (CDC) announced that the community was officially named to the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, the federal government allocates $150 million to protect historic buildings, and this designation means that OUTEAST will be eligible to receive funding to help protect hundreds of buildings while giving home and business owners in the neighborhood access to money for preservation. The Jaguars worked with LIFT JAX and the Historic Eastside CDC to gain approval for the designation. This recognition and milestone are key in preserving the neighborhood for decades to come, and for others to learn of its rich history.
“A big thanks goes out to the Jaguars, who provided the funding that allowed us to hire a best-in-class consultant to ensure our application was successful,” said David Garfunkel, President of LIFT JAX.
Click here for a brief historical video from the neighborhood.
A RIVERFRONT UPGRADE
Marina renovation work is underway at the Shipyards site. This essential first phase of the marina redevelopment includes demolition of the concrete sidewalks and existing riverwalk, along with the removal and replacement of the deteriorating bulkhead. To create additional flood resilience, the new bulkhead will be raised several feet during this phase of construction, providing additional shoreline protection from the St. Johns River and helping to ensure year-round access to the riverwalk for residents and visitors to enjoy.
SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
On Nov. 14, the Jaguars hosted a Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) Engagement Event in partnership with PCL Construction , general contractor for the Shipyards project, and the City of Jacksonville’s JSEB office at EverBank Stadium. More than 150 attendees heard from Jaguars VP of Real Estate and Development Drew Frick, PCL’s Senior Project Manager David Keeler, and JSEB Compliance Officer Shavonda Jackson. Attendees learned more about opportunities for small businesses at the Shipyards site, which includes the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville and office tower. Businesses not certified by the JSEB office were given an opportunity to learn more about the process. The JSEB office provides resources including support on contracting opportunities, education initiatives, and access to capital.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Renowned football athlete and YouTube content creator Donald De La Haye Jr., better known as ‘Deestroying,’ recently brought his 10N1 series to Jacksonville as a part of a nine-city tour through a partnership with the NFL. The former University of Central Florida star kicker has amassed a large following on social media who were able to follow along on an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Miller Electric Center, led by Lori Windisch, Jaguars’ Construction Director during his visit with the Jaguars. From team dining room to a locker room tour, to kicking a field goal at the indoor practice field to challenging Windisch to a pull-up in the team’s new weight room, check out Deestroying discovering Miller Electric Center and EverBank Stadium. Watch the video here.
