Strutting with
COMMUNITY NEWS
RIVERSIDE | AVONDALE | ORTEGA | MURRAY HILL FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS | RESIDENTNEWS.NET | MARCH 2026 | VOL. 19, ISSUE 3
Confidence took center stage at North Florida School of Special Education’s signature runway event. Students dazzled the crowd, celebrating individuality, empowerment and the joy of shining bright.
Photo: Sindy Gonzalez
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Riverside Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor of Community Outreach Dana Riley, District 7 City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, Five Points Association President Dori Thomsen, RAP Development Manager Casey Roth and Cheryl Croft.
A Community in Color
Preservation Awards Honor Those Shaping Riverside Avondale’s Future
Artists turned up the color at the 2026 Jacksonville Mural Festival, a week-long event that that celebrated and added to Jacksonville’s vibrant network of public art. This year, the festival focused on Murray Hill with nationally acclaimed muralists working alongside local artists to add six new murals to Murray Hill’s already eclectic collection of murals.
The Riverside Avondale Preservation Awards were held Feb. 19 in the sanctuary of Riverside Church at Park and King, recognizing individuals and organizations contributing to the neighborhood’s preservation and continued growth. Among those honored was Dori Thomsen, president of the Five Points Association and co-owner of Soluna Yoga + Spa with her husband, Christian, reflecting her leadership in both neighborhood advocacy and small business. The annual event celebrates those helping shape the future of Riverside Avondale while honoring the character and history that define the district. READ MORE ON PAGE 10
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Housing Market Shows Signs of Balance
A Long Running
Northeast Florida’s housing market is shifting toward balance as the new year begins, with rising inventory and improved affordability.
The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness on Jan. 28 for 2216 Oak Street, advancing plans to renovate the long-condemned Deluxe Laundry buildings into a restaurant space originally proposed as The Roost.
Closed sales fell 36.2% to 584, with 565 pending. The county added 1,303 new listings, a 62.9% increase, bringing inventory to 3,321 homes, nearly a six-month supply.
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In January, the median single-family home price dropped 6.3% from December to $313,950. Homes averaged 46 days on the market. Duval County’s Home Affordability Index rose to 109, second in the region behind Putnam County at 149. Source: NEFAR
Tradition
Hundreds gathered at Episcopal School of Jacksonville St. Mark’s Campus for the 48th annual Ortega River Run on Saturday, Feb. 21. The day included a fivemile and one-mile race providing options for all levels of athletes while raising funds to benefit financial aid.
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DIA Votes Down $9.8 Million EverBank Incentive In a 2-to-7 vote on Feb. 18, the Downtown Investment Authority Board declined to endorse a $9.8 million retention grant aimed at keeping EverBank at its 801 Bay Street headquarters beyond its Jan. 31, 2027 lease expiration.
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