Welcome to "The Beach Life" newsletter. This resource, directly from the City of Jacksonville Beach Government, is meant to serve as a short, informative, and meaningful way to provide news, resources, and other information to Jacksonville Beach residents and others who care about our beautiful beach community!
Thank you for your patience in receiving this newsletter! We have been working with our provider and our Information Services team to resolve issues and ensure that the newsletter is able to be delivered properly to as many people as possible.
Photo credit: John Tesh, Jacksonville Beach photographer
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Thanks to our muralist, C Stanley Creative, for helping make our downtown even more beautiful! We love the finished mural. Stop and see the finished project on 2nd St. N, between 3rd and 4th Aves N. Huge thanks go out to the CRA Art Committee for spearheading this beautiful mural. We look forward to more in the near future! |
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Latham Plaza is the heart of downtown and is currently being redesigned to maximize its attraction and appeal to families and patrons through the seasons while still accommodating large events and festivals. The redesigned plaza will include integrated seating areas, shaded spaces, interactive elements, a dynamic water feature, and custom art that will provide amenities year-round and during festival season. The redesigned space will be flexible and provide the ability to reimagine legacy events and accommodate for new activities that “embrace the beach life.”
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Upcoming Voting Information |
Latham Plaza Parking Lot Redevelopment
On March 20, the Jacksonville Beach City Council voted 5-2 to put a referendum on the May 16 ballot proposing an amendment to the City Charter to allow a height increase to 55 feet on the Latham Plaza parking lot property to allow the City to redevelop the property with a mixed-use development and parking garage.
The proposed change to the Jacksonville Beach Charter would add the language highlighted below:
Section 52 - Zoning Authority:
(2)(a) In order to further protect the public health, safety, general welfare, and aesthetics, no new building height shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet, nor shall any existing building be altered to cause it to exceed a building height of thirty-five (35) feet, except the City shall have the power to redevelop the City-owned property bounded by 1st Street North, 2nd Street North, Latham Plaza, and 111 Beach Boulevard to a building height maximum not to exceed 55 feet, for a mixed-use redevelopment project with parking structure.
The referendum question on the May 16 ballot will be the following:
Shall the Jacksonville Beach Charter be amended to allow the redevelopment of a City-owned property bounded by 1st Street North, 2nd Street North, Latham Plaza, and 111 Beach Boulevard, exempting the property from the 35 feet height limit, to allow a maximum building height of 55 feet for a mixed use redevelopment with a parking structure?
__ Yes
__ No
Jacksonville Mayor and At Large Elections
On March 23, Daniel Davis and Donna Deegan advanced to a run-off in the Jacksonville Mayoral race. The run-off will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Find out more about the candidates for Mayor, At-Large Group 5, and Property Appraiser at their websites:
Important Voting Dates
- Last day to register to vote: April 17
- Early voting: May 1 - May 14, Beaches Branch Library, 10am - 6pm
- Election day: Tuesday, May 16, 7am - 7pm
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Sanitation Services Changes |
The cost for garbage collection will increase effective on April 1, 2023. The new rate will be reflected on your monthly bill. The City of Jacksonville Beach always aims to maintain affordable rates while providing the best service for customers. The new rate will allow us to keep pace with the current cost of garbage collection services. The city will maintain the same service level of 2x per week residential garbage pickup, 1x per week recycling pick up, and 1x per week yard waste collection.
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Jacksonville Beach Parking Updates |
Paid parking for the 2023 season has begun! It started on March 17 and goes through October 29, 2023.
Paid parking rates do NOT apply to Jacksonville Beach residents that have registered for the Resident Parking program. To register for this program, click here. (If you have registered in the past, you do not need to register again!)
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Jacksonville Beach Parking Updates |
We are now accepting applications to participate in the Opening of the Beaches Parade. Registration will be open until March 31st. The parade will be held on April 30th.
$200 per entry. If you are a non-profit organization, the registration fee is waived. We reserve the right to ask for proof of your 501c3. The payment must be made by cash or check only. We do not accept debit or credit cards. Checks can be made out to The City of Jacksonville Beach. All payments and applications can be dropped off at the Parks and Rec Office - 2508 South Beach Parkway, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.
Click here for more information and to access the application.
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Jacksonville Beach Pier Updates |
Beach Life Rentals now manages Jacksonville Beach Pier.
Beginning January 1, 2023, the Pier will have a fee for walking and fishing.
- $2.00 Day Pass (non-local)
- $1.00 Day Pass (local)
- $90 Annual Pass (includes VIP discounts)
- $5.00 for day fishing (non-local)
- $4.00 for day fishing (local)
- $300 Annual Pass (includes VIP discounts)
There are now two live surf cams at the Jacksonville Beach Pier!
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Consider being involved in the Jacksonville Beach community, making a difference, and putting your skills and talents to work as a volunteer Board Member.
If you are interested, please click here for our Board Descriptions and Application for Appointment to a City Board.
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Ok kids - ready, set, go! Gather as many eggs as you can!
Join us at Wingate Park for a fun Easter Egg Hunt! Enjoy a free balloon twister, face painter, and a photo-op with the Easter Bunny!
The event starts at 10 am at Wingate Park - 101 Penman Rd S.
10:00 am - toddlers & ages 3 - 4
10:30: ages 5 - 6 & 7 -8
Please note there will be a small delay between events to allow children to open eggs and reset the fields.
This event is free and no registration is necessary; all participants should bring their own Easter Basket.
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For more detailed information on any of the meetings or events, visit the calendar on our website by clicking here.
City Council and Board Meetings (all meetings are in City Council Chambers unless noted otherwise)
- April 3 - City Council Meeting at 6 pm
- April 4 - Board of Adjustment at 6 pm
- April 10 - City Council Briefing at 5:30 pm
- April 10 - Planning Commission Meeting at 7 pm
- April 17 - City Council Meeting at 6 pm
- April 18 - Board of Adjustment at 6 pm
- April 20 - Community Redevelopment Agency Public Art Advisory Committee Meeting at 3:00 pm
- April 24 - Community Redevelopment Agency at 3 pm
- April 24 - Planning Commission Meeting at 7 pm
- April 26 - Special Magistrate Hearing at 2 pm
- April 27 - City Council Workshop at 5:30 pm
Community Events
- March 31 - April 2 - 31st Annual Springing in the Blues
- April 9 - 71st Annual Easter Sunrise Service
- April 15 - MS Walk: Jacksonville
- April 23 - 904 Pop Up
- April 28 - Make-a-Wish Walk for Wishes
- April 30 - Opening of the Beaches Parade
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Sunshine Playground is 100% Complete! |
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The water tower, branded benched, painted pavilions, and other play equipment are fully installed and ready for your family! Stop by South Beach Park (2514 S Beach Parkway) and enjoy! |
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Pickleball Court Reservations |
Have you played pickle ball at South Beach Park yet? We have two beautiful courts. You can make reservations online in advance. Click here for more details and to make your reservation. |
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From April 1st through September 30th dogs are only allowed on the beach BEFORE 9 am and AFTER 5 pm. Dogs must always be on a leash and have proof of current rabies vaccination. Remember to clean up after your pet!
For the safety of your dog as well as other people and dogs, please abide by the following rules:
- Each dog must be fastened to a suitable leash of dependable strength not to exceed 8 feet in length and the leash must be held or controlled by that person at all times.
- Any person having a dog on the beach must carry with and on such person suitable materials and utensils with which to remove from the beach any fecal matter deposited by such dog and must remove any fecal matter immediately upon its deposit by the dog.
- Each such dog must have affixed to its collar a current rabies vaccination tag evidencing the dog has been properly inoculated against rabies within the past year.
- On Jacksonville Beach, if the dog is in the Atlantic Ocean within the owner's voice and visual contact, the dog shall be allowed to swim unleashed and then immediately put back on the leash before returning to the beach. This does not include walking the dog in the water or fetching.
You can read the Jacksonville Beach ordinances regarding dogs on the beach here:
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Watering Schedule as of March 12, 2023
Residential odd-numbered addresses:
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Residential even-numbered addresses:
Thursdays and Sundays
Non-residential Commercial:
Tuesday and Fridays
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Visit the Beaches Green Market!
Saturdays from 10am-2pm at Penman Park / 321 Penman Road Jacksonville Beach
Vendors at the market sell a wide selection of in-season, local and organic produce, local all-natural meats, free-range eggs, cut flowers, locally roasted organic coffees, edible plants and trees, orchids, handcrafted teas, gluten-free and vegan foods, handcrafted cheeses, locally made desserts, freshly baked breads, local honey, and other seasonal delights.
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Are you a new business in town? Do you operate a business from home? Did you know you need to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt from the City Clerk’s office?
It’s simple! Click here to find, print, and fill out the application on our website (Bring it in with your Articles of Incorporation, photo ID, and your State license (if applicable). You can call the City Clerk’s office to obtain the fee amount for your business. Remember, we only accept cash or check.
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- Lone Wolf Co, 1500 Beach Blvd #115
- Now Open!
- ABSTRAKT Filipino Essence Resautrant, 1500 Beach Blvd
- Now open!
- 1928 Cuban Bistro, 1500 Beach Blvd
- Now Open!
- Altitude Trampoline Park, 1214 Beach Blvd
- Now open!
- Refinery Restaurant (formerly Seachasers), 831 1st St. North
- Now open!
- O-Ku Sushi, Downtown Jacksonville Beach
- Now open!
- Talkin' Tacos (Just announced) 1300 Beach Blvd
- Expected to open in second quarter of 2023
- Dick Mondell's, 1177 3rd St.
- Under Constructions
- Safe Pedestrian Crossings on Penman Road
- Construction completed on safe pedestrian crossings on Penman Road. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) have been installed at Penman and 4th Ave N and Penman and 15th Ave. The RRFBs are now in operation!
- FDOT has plans to install two additional RRFB crossings on 3rd Street (A1A) at 2nd Avenue North and 15th Avenue North.
- Not sure how to properly use an RRFB?
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Click here for an instructional video.
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Click here for an instructional flyer.
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Jax Beach Town Center
Oaxaca Club is NOW OPEN!
Click here for the menu, reservations, and more.
Others to follow in 2023.
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Beach Bowl
Under construction and making progress. The opening time frame is unknown.
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Springhill Suites
Springhill Suites is nearly complete and will be opening in the near future!
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Jacksonville Beach City Council meetings continue to be held in person in City Hall on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 6pm. Anyone who wishes attend to the meetings is asked to wear a mask if social distancing is not possible when inside City Hall.
You can see the agenda for City Council Meetings HERE.
If you don't wish to attend the meetings in person, you can watch the City Council meetings streamed LIVE on YouTube.
You can also watch all past City Council and Board meeting videos on YouTube.
CITY COUNCIL CONTACT INFO
Please note you can call or text the Council members at their city phone numbers.
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COJB Jobs
We believe that talented, customer service-driven employees are essential to fulfill the needs of our citizens. If you would like to be a member of our team, we encourage you to apply with us, see our current employment opportunities or sign up here to receive email notifications of new job postings.
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Get Involved
Are you interested in making a difference and putting your skills and talents to work as a volunteer Board Member? Jacksonville Beach has five different City Boards in need of high-quality candidates that are dedicated to our community. Click here to learn more.
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Live Streams
If you want to stay in the loop on developments in Jacksonville Beach, but are unable to attend or view a meeting live, The City streams and archives many public meetings to YouTube. Click here to view past meetings and live streams of upcoming meetings.
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