The City of Jacksonville, Groundwork Jacksonville, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will hosted a press conference to give more details and answer any questions about the $147 million federal grant awarded for the Emerald Trail.

Completion of the Emerald Trail is now one step closer to becoming a reality after the Jacksonville-based company Swisher pledged $500,000 to the city’s transformative project.

There are high-hopes in place for a decade-long proposal to construct the LaVilla Link to bring the area once known as the Harlem of the South back to life.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we are joined by Mayo Clinic Jacksonville CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to discuss the changes to health care becoming permanent following the pandemic. We’re also digging deeper into plans for Emerald Trail in Duval County with Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney. And we’re closing our show with a tribute to JU’s beloved former President Fran Kinne and a look back at her 62-year association with the university.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Groundwork Jacksonville has unveiled the design of the Emerald Trail Model Project the first segment of the urban trail that will link Brooklyn through LaVilla. Construction of the $3.9 million project, named the LaVilla Link, will begin this fall and take a year to complete. From Park and Stonewall streets in Brooklyn, the 1.3-mile LaVilla Link will crosses over the Park Street Bridge by the Prime Osborn Convention Center and head north along Lee Street. It will feature several signature points of interest like the Park Street Bridge and the Lee Street Pond. I remain grateful for the leadership of the Groundwork Jacksonville team and the contributions of the donors.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Groundwork Jacksonville has unveiled the design of the Emerald Trail Model Project the first segment of the urban trail that will link Brooklyn through LaVilla. Construction of the $3.9 million project, named the LaVilla Link, will begin this fall and take a year to complete. It will feature several signature points of interest like the Park Street Bridge and the Lee Street Pond. The Emerald Trail will promote historic communities, physical activity and wellness, and Jacksonvilles natural beauty. I remain grateful for the leadership of the Groundwork Jacksonville team and the contributions of the donors.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If you've lived in Jacksonville during hurricane season -- or just a strong thunderstorm -- you've probably caught on that McCoys Creek is prone to flooding. Groundwork Jacksonville is hoping to make us look elsewhere -- and we're fine with that. The grant will take Phase 2 of the McCoys Creek restoration plan from 30% to 100% design, the trust said. GWJax will also work with the Environmental Quality Division of the City of Jacksonvill on water quality sampling. My administration values our partnership with Groundwork Jacksonville as we work together to restore McCoys Creek to a beautiful natural resource and recreational amenity for our citizens, said Mayor Lenny Curry.