News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 15 of 23.
Civic Infrastructure
Jacksonville Offers Free Downtown Parking for Primary Election Voting
The city and Downtown Investment Authority are waiving meter fees on Monroe and Duval Streets near the Supervisor of Elections office during early voting and Election Day to remove a barrier to voter participation.
Courts & Justice
Three Attorneys Vie for Duval County Judge Seat in Competitive August Primary
A public defender, former magistrate, and human rights prosecutor are competing to fill a retiring county court judge's seat in Jacksonville. The winner will handle misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil disputes for a six-year term.
Real Estate
Jacksonville's Dream Finders Homes to Acquire Atlanta's Beazer in $2.2B Deal
The acquisition would create the nation's sixth-largest homebuilder with operations spanning 26 markets across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and beyond. The combined company would operate approximately 520 active communities, including throughout Northeast Florida.
Education
St. Johns County School Board to Meet Aug. 11 Amid Continued Growth Pressures
The district's school board will convene Tuesday for its regular monthly session as the county continues to add thousands of new students annually, straining capacity and prompting debate over how to fund future facilities.
Development
Jacksonville Industrial Market Sees 8 Million Square Feet of Warehouse Space Built
Real estate experts say Northeast Florida's transportation network, port access, and growing population continue to drive warehouse and distribution center construction, with 6 million square feet of spec space now available.
Courts
Two attorneys vie for open Duval County Court judge seat in August primary
Matt Lufrano and Latoya Williams Shelton are competing for the County Court Group 1 bench in Jacksonville, both emphasizing their civil legal aid work as early voting begins August 7.
Community
Downtown Jacksonville Celebrates 904 Day with Art Walk, Markets, Local Shopping
904 Day on September 4 brings a packed lineup of events and local business spotlights to downtown Jacksonville, from the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk to gatherings at James Weldon Johnson Park and neighborhood shops.
Politics & Policy
Judge Orders Rewrite of Florida Property Tax Amendment on November Ballot
A Leon County judge ruled that ballot language describing a proposed constitutional amendment to cut property taxes is misleading, ordering the Attorney General to prepare revised wording as public safety groups warn the measure could strain local budgets across Northeast Florida.
Development
Downtown Jacksonville parking garage to get retail makeover on Beaver Street
A five-story parking structure in the Pearl Square District is being converted to mixed-use with 16,000 square feet of storefronts wrapping two corners, marking the latest downtown activation effort.
Planning
Palm Coast sets workshop on FY2027 infrastructure budget, historic preservation rules
The city council will review capital spending plans for roads and utilities, proposed land development code changes, and a new ordinance creating a historic preservation board and review process for projects affecting historical sites.
Development
Palm Coast Weighs Appeal After Court Rules Against Higher Impact Fees
A Flagler County judge sided with home builders in a lawsuit challenging Palm Coast's 2025 increases to fire, parks, and transportation impact fees, though the city says the ruling doesn't immediately change what developers pay.
Infrastructure
Overnight lane closures set for SR A1A at Camino Del Mar in Flagler County
FDOT will close one lane of State Road A1A at the Camino Del Mar intersection on Flagler County's barrier island for four nights starting August 10 for traffic signal work, with flaggers directing alternating traffic through the construction zone.
Infrastructure
Pope Road Beach Access in St. Johns County to Close Aug. 10 for Cable Removal
The popular beach access point and parking lot will close for one day to allow crews to deliver equipment for removing a buried cable, part of ongoing public safety remediation work along the St. Johns County coast.
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement Hearing Canceled for Callahan Property on Marvin Street
Nassau County has canceled an August 11 code enforcement hearing for a property at 45041 Marvin St in Callahan, with all other scheduled hearings proceeding as planned.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors Convention in Orlando Features Wealth Building Summit for Real Estate Professionals
The two-day convention Aug. 19-20 at Rosen Shingle Creek brings together real estate professionals statewide for education on AI, fraud prevention, and long-term wealth strategies, with a new full-day summit on building financial security.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Real Estate Brokers Face Increased Scrutiny on Supervision, Attorney Warns
Florida regulators are cracking down on brokers who fail to actively oversee their associates, with enforcement focusing on training, accessibility, and documented compliance procedures, a real estate attorney told industry professionals at a statewide legal summit.
Real Estate
Gen Z Buyers Willing to Leave Northeast Florida to Find Affordable Homes
Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z homebuyers would relocate to another city or state rather than stretch their monthly housing budget, a trend that could reshape how real estate agents approach younger customers searching in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida's competitive market.
Real Estate
Mortgage rates hit one-year high in Northeast Florida as homebuying costs climb
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.69% this week, the highest level since summer 2025, adding hundreds of dollars per month to borrowing costs and dampening an already sluggish housing market across Jacksonville and the First Coast.
Real Estate
AI Tools Reshape How Northeast Florida Real Estate Agents Win Listings
Artificial intelligence is making professional marketing materials accessible to all agents, pushing Northeast Florida's competitive real estate professionals to demonstrate value through market expertise and strategy rather than polished presentations alone.
Government
Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board Cancels August Meeting
The Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board has called off its regular August 18 meeting, pushing decisions on development applications and rezoning cases to a later date.
Infrastructure
SR 16 Traffic Overhaul Coming to St. Johns County: U-Turn Signals Replace Left Turns
New restricted crossing U-turn intersections at Stratton Boulevard and Industry Center Road are designed to improve safety and flow on the busy corridor, with the traffic pattern switch planned for mid-to-late September.
Infrastructure
JAXPORT Highlights $3.1B Infrastructure Investment Strengthening Northeast Florida Manufacturing
The seaport authority says more than $3.1 billion invested over five years in the region's transportation network, including harbor deepening and terminal modernization, is positioning Jacksonville as a key supply-chain hub for manufacturers navigating global trade uncertainty.
Government
Jacksonville Launches Tracker for Mayor Deegan's Promises and Budget Priorities
A new interactive webpage lets residents track progress on Mayor Donna Deegan's commitments since taking office in 2023, from affordable housing to infrastructure investments, and see what's proposed for the FY2026-27 budget.
Municipal Finance
Jacksonville earns third consecutive AA+ bond rating, securing lower infrastructure costs
Fitch Ratings' top-tier assessment of Jacksonville's creditworthiness will save taxpayers millions on borrowing costs for roads, utilities, and public facilities as the city issues $2026 special revenue bonds.
Infrastructure
St. Johns County Water Plant Gets $1.6M Upgrade as Growth Strains Infrastructure
The county completed a $1.6 million capital improvement project at the Plantation Water Treatment Plant, one of several infrastructure investments highlighted in the August newsletter as the fast-growing county works to keep pace with demand.
Development
Nassau County Commissioners May Attend Peppertree Village Task Force Meeting
Two or more Nassau County commissioners could be present at an Aug. 11 task force meeting on Peppertree Village in Fernandina Beach, though no official votes will be taken.
Infrastructure
South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Board to Meet on Beach Protection
The association overseeing erosion control and beach management on Amelia Island's south end will convene publicly next week to discuss ongoing shore stabilization efforts in Nassau County.
Public Service
St. Johns County Parks Employees Honored for Lifesaving Response at Usina Boat Ramp
Two Parks and Recreation Department staffers received official recognition from county commissioners for their quick action during a medical emergency at the popular St. Johns River boat ramp in May.
Infrastructure
Palm Coast Closes Rolling Sands Drive for Two Days to Complete Storm Drain Work
The City of Palm Coast will shut down a section of Rolling Sands Drive Aug. 6-7 to finish roadway repairs over recent stormwater infrastructure, rerouting traffic through the neighborhood as crews complete drainage improvements.
Government
St. Johns County Spotlights GIS Mapping Department in New Video Series
The county's latest Inside SJC episode showcases the Geographic Information Systems team that maintains location data for commissioner districts, school sites, road networks, and development projects across one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
