News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 7 of 21.
Business Recognition
Forge Gates Builds Custom Entry Systems for Northeast Florida
The Jacksonville-based company combines property-specific gate fabrication, automation and repair with material choices for Northeast Florida conditions.
Business Recognition
Mr. Normans Builds Jacksonville Home Services Around Self-Reliance
The Jacksonville handyman business traces its name to founder Irhad Mutic’s childhood lesson in repair, self-reliance and helping others.
Business Recognition
Nick’s Personal Airport Shuttle Connects Palm Coast to Four Airports
The veteran-owned Palm Coast business focuses on advance-reservation rides to Jacksonville, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Orlando Sanford airports.
Business Recognition
FixAway Uses a Scope-First Model for Jacksonville Small Repair Jobs
The Jacksonville-area handyman service asks customers to organize small repairs, assembly and installation work into one reviewed project list.
Arts
Jacksonville Ballet Icon Dulce Anaya Dies at 92
The internationally acclaimed prima ballerina and longtime Jacksonville teacher shaped generations of dancers and helped establish the city's dance community.
In Memoriam
Quinn R. Barton Jr., Jacksonville Civic Leader and Developer, Dies at 98
The Jacksonville native shaped the city's built environment across decades of leadership in real estate, development, and civic service.
Infrastructure
Main Street Bridge lane closures begin for Riverfront Plaza phase
Phase II of the downtown Jacksonville plaza project has triggered lane and pedestrian walkway restrictions on the historic river crossing as construction activity ramps up.
Education
Friends of Stockton hosts annual brewery fundraiser for Avondale elementary school
The parent support group gathered at Fishweir Brewery to kick off the school year and rally community backing for Stockton Elementary.
Development
Aspire Church San Marco Undergoes Renovations on Historic Campus
Construction crews have cordoned off the entrance to the San Marco church as renovation work continues on the long-standing community landmark.
Healthcare Infrastructure
Baptist MD Anderson opens new stem cell transplant unit in Jacksonville
The new Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Baptist Medical Center puts patient experience at the center of advanced cancer treatment design.
Business Recognition
The Grill Guyz Bring Mobile Grill Cleaning Across North Florida
The mobile service uses customer photos to prepare quotes for grill cleaning and restoration work across Northeast and North-Central Florida.
Environment
Jacksonville earns LEED Platinum, joining elite group of 10 cities worldwide
The certification measures citywide performance in energy, water, transportation, and quality of life—and city leaders say it will help attract business investment to Northeast Florida.
Creative Economy
Jacksonville Philanthropist Adds $30,000 to City Filmmaking Grant
Brette Petway's donation to the Fostering Filmmakers Grant aims to grow Jacksonville's independent film sector and showcase Duval County storytellers to wider audiences.
Infrastructure
St. Johns County wins $1. 48M for Vilano boat ramp and Summer Haven dune work
Grant funding from the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District will stabilize the heavily used Vilano ramp and support dune construction along the Summer Haven River.
Development
Nassau County Planning & Zoning Board cancels September 15 meeting
The cancellation postpones any land-use decisions that were scheduled for the board's regular monthly session, pushing development applications to a later date.
Education
Duval Schools adopts new policy for closures, boundary changes
The revised framework adds community input opportunities and consolidates three separate policies into a single process governing attendance zones, school consolidations, and closures.
Property Tax
Nassau County property-tax appeals hearings set to begin Oct. 1
The Value Adjustment Board will hear challenges to property assessments, exemption denials, and portability appeals at the Robert M. Foster Justice Center in Yulee, offering homeowners a path to contest 2026 tax bills.
Community
St. Johns County Libraries Partner with 115 Local Businesses for September Discount Campaign
The St. Johns County Public Library System is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month with a "Community Connections" discount campaign that offers cardholders savings at more than 115 local businesses across the county.
Economic Development
St. Johns County launches InvestSJC. com to lure jobs, investment
The county's new business-focused digital platform and young professionals program aim to sustain growth in one of Florida's fastest-expanding economies.
Property Tax
Nassau County property-tax appeals board preps for 2026 hearings
The Value Adjustment Board will orient special magistrates on September 17 ahead of the annual season when homeowners and businesses challenge their property assessments.
Education
Duval Schools set attendance zones for two new elementary schools opening in 2027
The district approved boundaries for Hogan-Spring Glen and Spring Park elementary schools, which will replace Love Grove and Englewood when they open in August 2027.
Real Estate
Jacksonville ranks No. 37 among nation's best retirement cities
The River City finished in the top half of a national retirement-destination study, boosted by affordability and Florida's tax advantages, while other state metros dominated the top spots.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida homebuilders pull back as demand uncertainty rises
Industry survey shows builder confidence falling sharply in 2026, with executives scaling back speculative construction and bracing for flat or declining home prices through year's end.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Realtors shift back to basics as referrals drive sales
A new industry study shows repeat customers and referrals account for 90% of brokerage business, prompting Northeast Florida agents to rethink how they spend their time and money in a competitive market.
Code Enforcement
Code enforcement case at Fernandina Beach property cancelled
A hearing scheduled for a property on Pheasant Lane in Fernandina Beach has been pulled from next week's docket before the county's special magistrate.
Real Estate
Jacksonville real estate agents shift marketing as AI search tools reshape home-buyer discovery
As consumers turn to ChatGPT and other AI platforms instead of traditional Google searches, Northeast Florida agents are adapting their online visibility strategies to stay competitive in the region's hot housing market.
Downtown Events
Downtown Jacksonville preps dual 904 Day celebrations at Riverfront Plaza and James Weldon Johnson Park
Two city-sponsored events on Friday, September 4, will activate downtown's core riverfront and park spaces with live music, vendors, and food trucks as organizers test demand for evening programming in the urban core.
Real Estate
Jacksonville realtors navigate AI listing video compliance as tool adoption spreads
As artificial intelligence makes property marketing more affordable, Northeast Florida agents and brokerages face new disclosure and accuracy requirements to avoid misleading buyers.
Development
Village of New Augustine to Add 92 Affordable Rentals in St. Augustine
St. Johns County's September newsletter highlights a new affordable housing project coming to the city, part of the county's broader effort to address rental supply in one of Florida's fastest-growing markets.
Community
115 St. Johns County Businesses Offer Library-Card Discounts in September
The county library system's "Community Connections" campaign returns for Library Card Sign-up Month, linking cardholders with deals at local shops, restaurants, and service providers.
