News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 6 of 14.
Education
St. Johns County Schools Superintendent Welcomes Families to 2026-27 Year
Superintendent Dr. Asplen kicks off the new academic year highlighting student achievements and thanking staff and community partners as the fast-growing district serves one of Florida's largest enrollment bases.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Navigate Rising FREC Scrutiny as Complaints Mount
With Florida's real estate market boom drawing more regulatory attention, local agents and brokers are learning how to respond when the state commission investigates complaints—and what mistakes can cost them their licenses.
Infrastructure
Main Street Bridge Lane Closure Set for Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront Plaza Work
Southbound traffic on the iconic downtown bridge will narrow to one lane for five months starting August 24 as the city builds a permanent pedestrian link to the new Riverfront Plaza on the Southbank.
Community
Jacksonville to Honor Purple Heart Recipients at Downtown Memorial Ceremony
The City of Jacksonville will host its annual Purple Heart Day commemoration at the Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall on August 7, featuring remarks from Mayor Donna Deegan and a musical tribute honoring combat-wounded veterans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Economy
Northeast Florida Consumer Confidence Drops to Lowest Since 2023 Amid Housing Cost Pressures
Florida's consumer sentiment index fell for the fifth straight month in July, reaching its lowest point in more than a year as residents grow more cautious about major purchases including homes and furnishings—a trend that could reshape the region's housing market.
Real Estate
Florida Insurance Lawsuit Drop Signals Potential Relief for Northeast Florida Homebuyers
New data show Florida's share of homeowners insurance lawsuits has fallen to 41% from nearly 80% since legislative reforms, bringing 20 new carriers to the state and the first signs of rate relief for buyers navigating Northeast Florida's competitive housing market.
Infrastructure
Courtney Vista Drive Opens Ahead of Schedule in Silverleaf, Connecting 1,300-Student School
St. Johns County completed the roadway project three months early to serve the new Magnolia Oaks Academy K-8 school opening this month in the fast-growing Silverleaf master-planned community.
