JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan met with Westside residents for the second town hall in her ongoing series to hear directly from the community about their concerns.
The meeting at Westside High School focused on pressing issues such as trash, homelessness, affordability, and the need for more family-friendly activities.
Residents voiced frustration over speeding, neighborhood deterioration, and the growing problem of litter and illegal dumping.
“I am over the trash on the road,” one resident said. And that was a sentiment echoed across the auditorium.
The mayor acknowledged these challenges and highlighted recent city council approval of $400,000 to tackle blight.
According to the city, “These investments will support enhanced cleanup efforts, cameras at illegal dumping sites, targeted code enforcement, and strategic interventions in areas most affected by illegal dumping and neglected properties.”
“If we want the type of city that we can be proud of, we have got to deal with our blight issue,” Deegan said.
Jacksonville Blight Initiative Program Director Al Ferraro emphasized the scale of the problem, noting the city’s size makes enforcement difficult, but resident input helps target resources effectively.
“Ultimately, what everyone here is trying to do is make their part of the city a better place,” Ferraro said.
The city is also encouraging residents to report trash and illegal dumping concerns to help keep neighborhoods clean.
To report blight in Jacksonville, use the MyJax website to submit complaints, attach photos, and track status updates or call 630-CITY (2489)
Affordability also remained a key concern. Residents asked what the city is doing to help with rising costs, including utilities. The mayor responded that diversifying the power supply system is a potential solution to help ease bills. She also stressed that affordable housing remains a top priority, calling it “long-term work” critical to the city’s future.
And in the wake of “teen takeovers” across the area, including chaos at the Avenues Mall over the weekend, residents are looking for ways to keep kids out of trouble.
“What does the city have planned for new family-friendly spaces?” one resident asked.
Deegan shared optimism about upcoming projects, including new parks on the riverfront, a surf park, and the Stadium of the Future.
“Within two years, you won’t recognize the amount of activity that is happening,” she said, highlighting plans for new entertainment venues and a renewed Museum of Science and History.
“Can we get an aquarium?” the resident replied.
The mayor said the Jacksonville Zoo will have to do for now, but said it continues growing with some new exhibits in the works.
The town hall series continues Thursday at Fletcher High School, starting at 6 p.m.
Here’s the full town hall schedule
- Thursday, Feb. 19
- Fletcher High School, 700 Seagate Ave, Neptune Beach
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 26
- Samuel W. Wolfson High School, 7000 Powers Ave.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 3
- Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, 2445 San Diego Rd.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 12
- Mandarin High School, 4831 Greenland Rd.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 24
- Springfield Middle School, 2034 Hubbard St.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31
- Fort Caroline Middle School of the Arts, 3787 University Club Blvd.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.