JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville councilman, at large, Terrance Freeman said he wants more attention given to every community in the consolidated city for redevelopment.
He wrote Resolution 2024-337 to get that process going. It encourages the mayor to do a county-wide assessment to determine what each community needs to improve it.
The discussion was sparked during a discussion about Durkeeville being assessed for revitalization, during an April 15 neighborhoods, community services, public health and safety committee meeting.
Freeman talked about his goal with the resolution.
“My first goal was to land the plane and make my point,” Freeman said. “My goal with this was to put those thoughts that I had and that I was sharing into action and into writing. And that’s simply saying if you look at one area let’s take this opportunity, let’s not miss this opportunity to look all of them in need.”
Freeman said he found four to five areas that have the highest percentage of poverty and believes those same communities typically suffer from crime, a neglected infrastructure, and a lack of jobs and food opportunities.
He said he pulled the data from the census and the city’s research department. News4JAX has requested that data.
The areas included Woodland Acres, Mixon Town, Lackawanna and Magnolia Gardens.
Linda Harris has lived in Mixon Town for over 20 years and she talked about what she thinks the community needs.
“I think they are taking care of the drainage, I think they need some more police control around here because we have a lot of activities going on around that shouldn’t be,” Harris said.
She shared her thoughts about the resolution.
“That would be a good idea to do that because we need it so the community can get engaged in a lot of activities and stuff around here,” Harris said.
If the resolution passes, Freeman hopes funding is made to include this into the 2024-25 budget.
“You’re going to see an advocate fighting for those voices who haven’t been heard and that’s the one thing that I want to continue to say,” Freeman said.
He also said he hopes that everyone sees where his heart is and where he is coming from to help the city as a whole.
Freeman said he has never heard of a countywide assessment but hopes that changes soon. Mayor Donna Deegan said she’s committed to communities that have been neglected and plans to make that happen.