News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 10 of 14.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Turn to Home Management Platforms to Retain Clients
With only 41% of satisfied home buyers returning to their agents, real estate professionals in Jacksonville and across the region are adopting digital tools that help homeowners maintain their properties — and keep agents top of mind through years of ownership.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Boost Repeat Business With Home Management Tools
As only 41% of satisfied homebuyers actually rehire their agent, Jacksonville-area real estate professionals are turning to digital platforms that help clients maintain their homes—keeping agents top-of-mind during the typical seven-year homeownership cycle.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Home Sales Rise as Inventory Expands Across Six-County Region
June 2026 closed sales climbed 3.3% to 2,100 transactions across the region, while active inventory of 7,216 homes gave buyers more options. Median home prices varied widely by county, from $301,200 in Putnam to $579,000 in St. Johns.
Community Investment
Ponte Vedra Beach Library Unveils $500K Children's Cove Renovation
A three-month, community-funded transformation of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library's children's space welcomed more than 200 families to a coastal-themed learning environment designed to serve the next generation of Northeast Florida readers.
Infrastructure
CR 16A in St. Johns County to Close Three Weekends for Expressway Work
County Road 16A between Timberwolf Trail and River Reach Parkway will close for three consecutive weekends starting July 24 as crews install pipe infrastructure for the First Coast Expressway, with traffic detouring through SR 16 and SR 13.
Development History
How Jacksonville's Dennis Street Became a Postwar Industrial Powerhouse
Developer John E. Price transformed a marsh-crossed corridor near downtown into one of Florida's premier industrial districts, investing $75,000 in 1946 to prepare 600,000 square feet that attracted 25 companies within three years and sparked $1.67 million in industrial construction by 1949.
Urban Development
Pittsburgh's Urban Revival: Lessons for Jacksonville's Growth
A visual tour of Pennsylvania's reinvented Steel City reveals how a former industrial powerhouse transformed its urban core through adaptive reuse, mixed-use districts, and neighborhood preservation — strategies Jacksonville could apply to its own evolving neighborhoods.
Transit
JTA Leadership Change Brings Opportunity to Refocus Jacksonville Transit on Basics
After 14 years, CEO Nathaniel P. Ford's January departure opens the door for a new direction at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority as the agency faces budget cuts, service struggles, and questions about its autonomous-vehicle strategy.
Infrastructure
Clay County to Open New Development Services Building in Green Cove Springs
County officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 28 for a new facility consolidating permitting and development review services as the region handles record residential and commercial growth.
Education
Clay County shares back-to-school safety tips for families ahead of new school year
Clay County Fire Rescue and the Florida Department of Health in Clay County are offering guidance to help families prepare for a smooth transition as students head back to classrooms.
Infrastructure
Clay County road closures set for Buckman Bridge, SR 16 at Shands Bridge next week
Northbound lanes and ramps on the Buckman Bridge will close for maintenance July 24-27, while nighttime lane closures are planned on SR 16 at the Shands Bridge. Old Jennings Road will also see lane restrictions.
Education
Clay County School Board Challengers Lay Out Priorities; Incumbents Skip Forum
Four candidates seeking three Clay County School Board seats outlined competing visions for teacher pay and district spending at a League of Women Voters forum, while the three current board members did not attend the standing-room-only event.
Infrastructure
Florida's JEA ratepayers could see data center cost protections under Trump pledge
Republican governors from 23 states signed onto a White House initiative requiring tech companies to pay for their own power infrastructure, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was notably absent. The move could affect how Jacksonville's JEA and other utilities handle explosive data center growth.
Environment
Federal endangered species rule changes threaten Northeast Florida development, wildlife protections
New Trump administration interpretations of the Endangered Species Act, set to take effect in August and September, would weaken habitat protections for more than 100 Florida species and could accelerate development across the region's sensitive ecosystems.
Education
St. Johns County School Board Calls Special Meeting Thursday Afternoon
The district has scheduled an unscheduled session for July 23 at 4:30 p.m., offering virtual and in-person attendance options, but has not disclosed the meeting's agenda or purpose.
Education
Gilchrist County School Board Race Spotlights Enrollment Decline, Funding Pressures
Two Trenton natives are vying for the District 5 school board seat as the small North Central Florida county grapples with a 7% enrollment drop since 2024, aging facilities, and teacher retention challenges tied to state funding constraints.
Government Accountability
Florida Wildlife Agency Secretly Surveilled Environmental Critics
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission illegally accessed the driving records of more than a dozen activists who opposed agency policies, including bear hunts and development approvals, claiming they were under criminal investigation when they were not.
Education
St. Johns County opens Magnolia Oaks Academy, new K-8 school set to welcome students Aug. 10
The newly constructed state-of-the-art campus will open its doors next month as St. Johns County School District continues to add capacity in one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
Education
St. Johns County Opens Magnolia Oaks Academy in Silverleaf With 1,300 Students
The new K-8 school in the master-planned Silverleaf community opens its doors Aug. 10, serving 1,300 students in its inaugural year. It's one of two new schools the district is opening this year to keep pace with the county's rapid growth.
Transportation
St. Johns County Schools Seeks Bus Drivers Amid Ongoing Growth Pressure
The district is recruiting school bus drivers with paid training and competitive benefits as enrollment continues to climb in one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
Politics
Jacksonville Rep. Nixon, Senate candidate Vindman split on Israel funding vote
The two Democrats vying for Florida's U.S. Senate seat offered starkly different positions on a congressional measure to strip military aid to Israel, highlighting a deepening divide within the party over Middle East policy.
Infrastructure
St. Johns Marina Boat Ramp in Downtown Jacksonville to Close for Two Years
The public boat ramp on Jacksonville's Southbank will close during construction of a replacement facility with extended trailer parking and a longer ramp designed for larger vessels, with reopening targeted for summer 2028.
Community
PlacemakingJax Pop-Up Brings Community Conversation Pit to Downtown Jacksonville Bistro
The Sitting Room, a traveling community engagement installation, sets up at Indulgence Southern Bistro for two Thursday sessions in late July, inviting downtown residents and visitors to share stories and neighborhood insights.
Education
Moms for Liberty's Political Influence Wanes in Duval County School Board Races
The conservative parent-rights group that reshaped Duval County's school board in 2022 has made no financial contributions to Florida school board candidates this cycle, signaling a sharp retreat from local politics in its home state.
Public Health
Tick season expands across Florida as emergency room visits climb statewide
Emergency room visits for tick bites reached 112 per 100,000 people in June, the highest level since 2017, as warmer weather extends tick season and aggressive lone star ticks expand their range across Northeast Florida and the state.
City Budget
Jacksonville's $2.6B budget proposal targets infrastructure, housing, public safety
Mayor Donna Deegan unveiled a $2.03 billion general fund and $586 million capital plan that continues generational investments while maintaining balanced books for the second straight year without tapping reserves.
State Government
Miami Beach Rep. Fabian Basabe Found Liable for Sexual Harassment; Jury Awards $450K
A Leon County jury found state Rep. Fabian Basabe liable for sexual harassment, battery, and defamation in a civil case brought by two former staffers. The verdict raises questions about potential legislative action against the two-term Republican lawmaker.
Infrastructure
Clay County proposes stormwater utility fee on developed properties
County commissioners will consider creating a dedicated stormwater utility that would charge property owners based on impervious surface area to fund drainage improvements and regulatory compliance across the county.
Infrastructure
Clay County road work to close lanes on Blanding, U.S. 17, Town Center Blvd. next week
Nighttime lane closures on Blanding Boulevard and U.S. 17 will affect commuters through Thursday, while a new project begins at Town Center Boulevard's traffic circle as Clay County coordinates multiple construction efforts.
Politics
Jacksonville State Rep. Angie Nixon Faces Uphill Battle in U.S. Senate Primary
Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville trails in fundraising and faces a campaign declining to debate ahead of the August primary, as her opponent Alex Vindman sets sights on the general election against Republican Ashley Moody.
