JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – She’s the force facilitating one of the largest movements shaping downtown Jacksonville.
Kady Yellow, vice president of Downtown Vision Inc. and facilitator of PlacemakingJax, is putting a new spin on placemaking — a not-so-new concept that feels entirely different through her community-engagement-driven lens.
Since moving to the city four years ago, Kady has prioritized putting people first, using open calls for project proposals to help bring life and energy to public spaces. At the center of her approach are also two key parts: education and activation.
In the season finale episode, the New York native steps from behind the scenes and in front of the camera on “Voices of the 904" to unpack her definition of placemaking, explain why it matters to Jacksonville and break down the project selection process.
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“PlacemakingJax is just a great place if you want to get involved,” Kady said. “I think we solved the problem that...placemaking it not new to Jax. It’s hard to get involved with the city and the community. It’s rooms you can show up and feel like your cup is full. You did a thing. You gave back to the city.”
Through the Placemaking School, members of Jacksonville’s community come together to learn the tools and skills needed to bring their ideas to life through activations.
Her “Duval deserves the best” attitude fuels her fight to advocate for both the city and the people who power it.
At her core, Kady’s number one mission is to help people fall back in love with the vibrancy that downtown Jacksonville has to offer while challenging negative narratives, centering local voices and building a sense of belonging in a city that has a piece of her heart.
The deadline for the 2026 open call is Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Apply here.
Learn more about the collaborative initiative at dtjax.com.