JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As cranes, businesses and redevelopment continue reshaping parts of Jacksonville’s urban core, some Springfield residents say they welcome the investment, but hope affordability and neighborhood character are not left behind.
Developers behind the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District announced they secured funding for a planned 80-unit affordable housing community in North Springfield, a project residents and business owners say could help more people stay close to where they work, shop and spend time.
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The funding includes federal low-income housing tax credits awarded through the state. According to Future of Cities and Blue Sky Communities, the project received a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation as part of a statewide competitive process.
The planned apartment community is part of the larger Phoenix Arts & Innovation District, a redevelopment project in North Springfield that developers say could eventually include hundreds of housing units, retail space and renovated industrial buildings.
For some residents, the announcement comes as Springfield continues seeing new businesses, restaurants and foot traffic — along with concerns about rising costs.
“Everything is getting more and more expensive,” resident Kaelin Bussineau said.
Bussineau said more affordable housing could help people remain connected to the neighborhood long term.
“It’s nice to see investment in the community,” Bussineau said. “We think there can be more to drive more people to want to work and live in this area long term.”
Bussineau said affordability is about more than monthly rent prices. Living closer to work, restaurants and community resources can also reduce transportation costs and help residents reinvest money back into the neighborhood.
“If they aren’t spending that money on rent — if it’s affordable — they can invest in the community other ways and it all helps the neighborhood,” Bussineau said.
A few blocks away, Juice Wine Bar employee Mikayla Murphy said Springfield’s growth feels long overdue.
“Springfield has always had a ton of potential,” Murphy said. “It’s really one of those ‘if you build it they will come’ situations.”
Murphy, who works at the business during the day and bartends there at night, said affordable housing could help support future growth by bringing more residents and activity to the area.
“Having affordable housing is incredibly important especially right now, especially in the economy we are living in right now,” Murphy said.
Developers say the affordable housing community is expected to become one of the first major residential construction projects tied to the district as future phases continue taking shape in North Springfield.
Plans for the larger Phoenix Arts & Innovation District include renovated warehouse spaces, new residential construction and connections to the Emerald Trail system.
Still, residents told News4JAX’s reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson they hope future growth does not erase the neighborhood’s historic identity.
“A lot of things around Jacksonville are historic,” Bussineau said. “It would be nice to see some of those things preserved instead of everything old being torn down and rebuilt.”
Murphy echoed that concern while reflecting on Springfield’s future.
“There is always going to be newness,” Murphy said. “But I hope the charm stays alive because that is what makes Springfield Springfield.”
News4JAX reached out to the developer for a timeline on when construction could begin, what street the apartments will be located and when the apartments could open but has not yet received a response.