The city of Jacksonville will celebrate the completion of the first link of the Emerald Trail on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that has been years in the making.

Jacksonville’s downtown revitalization project is one step closer to completion.

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.

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.