Throughout Jacksonville’s Arlington area, a handful of small business owners explained to News4JAX why they’ve set up shop in the historic community. The three we interviewed point to Arlington’s central location on the First Coast.
Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Terry Harris transformed his concern for local youth into Sk8 City, a 40,000-square-foot family entertainment venue that revives Jacksonville's beloved skating legacy.
The Arlington Expressway, Downtown Jacksonville’s connection to East Arlington, has long been associated with blight due to old, abandoned office buildings. However, recent redevelopment efforts are bringing new hope to the neighborhood.
At Tree Hill Nature Center, The Rattlesnake Conservancy transforms fear into understanding through hands-on training, teaching hundreds annually to safely handle these misunderstood creatures while advocating for their vital role in Florida's ecosystem.
Jacksonville University has been part of the city’s story for more than 90 years. Founded in 1934 during the Great Depression, the private university has grown from a small two-year college downtown into a thriving campus on the banks of the St. Johns River.
JWB Real Estate Capital has invested more than $20 million to transform the former Town and Country Shopping Center off Arlington Expressway and University Boulevard.
Once a bustling retail hub and social hotspot, Arlington’s Regency Square Mall now stands as a shadow of its former self. But city leaders and developers are looking toward a future that could bring new life to the aging property.
Jacksonville University is growing — and three of its signature programs show how the school is preparing students for the careers of tomorrow. From science and technology to aviation and healthcare, JU leaders say the university is aligning with community needs and industry demand.
WJXT is proud to continue its long-standing promise of dedication to North Florida and South Georgia communities by introducing a new, inside perspective of area neighborhoods.
Long before Hollywood embraced diversity, Jacksonville’s Norman Studios was breaking barriers with “race films” that cast Black actors in heroic, leading roles. Now a historical film museum, the studio preserves a powerful and often-overlooked legacy.
Arlington is known for a lot of things — some expected, and some that might surprise you. One of its most unique claims to fame? Housing the oldest operating skate park in the country.
The Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a place where you can disappear from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhoods and businesses that you traditionally think of in Arlington.
The First Coast Rowing Club is the only public crew team to offer youth rowing in the Arlington neighborhood and has been going strong for 35 years.
Norma Smithen, the always smiling, always laughing, never-has-a-bad-day employee, has been serving customers at the Sheik location in Arlington since September 1983.
The Venegas family continues to seek answers and justice months after 40-year-old Brandon Venegas was killed in a hit-and-run behind a Walgreens in Arlington, urging the community to come forward with any information.
The St. Johns River has always been the heart of Jacksonville. In Arlington, it’s more than just a scenic view — it’s part of the community’s identity, shaping property values, recreation, and even the neighborhood’s future.
As part of our “4 Your Neighborhood” coverage in the Arlington area, News4JAX is highlighting efforts to protect a local gem: The Fort Caroline National Memorial.
News4JAX took a tour of The Jericho School in Arlington to see how it helps children across the autism spectrum thrive and find their voices.
Not long ago, Springfield was better known for its crime rate than its charm; however, neighbors today say the area has begun turning heads for a very different reason, as the historic Jacksonville community has transformed from a place many avoided into a destination where people want to live, work, and play.
A major initiative in the Springfield neighborhood is the Emerald Trail project, which aims to connect historic neighborhoods and foster community engagement.
Did you know there was a haunted mansion in Springfield? Located at the corner of Third and Pearl Street, an eerie abandoned mansion has a deep, dark history like no other home in the historic neighborhood, and has a history some may describe as unsettling.
Vibrant murals pop on building facades throughout Springfield’s Phoenix Arts & Innovation District. It’s a “regenerative development” project that aims to transform 8.3 acres into a creative hub for artists, both local and abroad.
In the heart of Springfield, a remarkable organization is changing lives. Rethreaded, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women who have survived human trafficking, is helping them put the pieces of their lives back together—one thread at a time.
After closing its doors more than a decade ago, Debs Store has returned to the Eastside with a new name, a new mission, and a lot of community support. Now known as The Corner at Debs Store, this neighborhood landmark is once again serving the community, blending history, healthy food, and hope under one roof.
The Glorious Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which stood for more than 80 years in the city’s Springfield neighborhood, was demolished in June after city officials declared the building structurally unsound and too dangerous to remain standing.
Springfield’s business district has emerged as a vibrant retail destination, hosting approximately 250 businesses that range from boutiques to specialty shops, according to the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council(SPAR).
Known for its colorful homes and wraparound porches, Springfield is one of Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods. Once overlooked, the historic community just north of downtown has become a magnet for new residents and businesses. However, revitalization is coming at a cost as longtime locals say the price of that popularity is a rise in home prices and the potential loss of what made Springfield special in the first place.
When the Great Fire of 1901 tore through Jacksonville, destroying much of the city in just eight hours, it left behind more than charred ruins—it created an opportunity to start over. One individual who answered the call to rebuild the River City was Henry Klutho, a young architect from New York who would go on to transform the look and feel
During the Great Fire of 1901, they formed a bucket brigade to help stop the flames from spreading to their homes. Hogan’s Creek also acted as a natural barrier.
If you’re out at Klutho Park in Springfield, you might notice a modern-style giraffe statue overlooking the green spaces. It’s there to mark the site of Jacksonville’s first zoo, which was built in the early 1900s.
A Springfield resident worked with the nonprofit Sustainable Springfield to build a disc golf course in Klutho Park, which is maintained now by SPAR and is a daily attraction for residents across the city.
These days, Hollywood is the movie-making capital of the world. But had Los Angeles not lured filmmakers to go west, we might be hearing “Lights, Camera, Action!” in Jacksonville, and the River City could have been the film-making capital of the world.
Springfield has historic homes and neighborhoods that give it a charming feel, but the area has also seen a major boom in new construction, growth and potential.
In an effort to learn about the best food offered in the Springfield area, we called around and were provided three spots, though if we had time, we would have visited every restaurant.
R.V. Daniels consolidated into R.L. Brown at the end of last school year. The principal shares how they're preparing for the new school year, and a community member shares the emotional impact of losing a neighborhood school.
Just north of downtown Jacksonville, Historic Springfield is a neighborhood where history lives on through restored homes, century-old streets, and a close-knit community.
Springfield is one of the oldest and most historic parts of Jacksonville, and as a result, it’s been at the center of one of the most divisive debates in the city’s history: Confederate monuments.
The $20 million Nassau County Shore Protection Project to renourish the Fernandina Beach shoreline from Fort Clinch to Saddler Road has finished months ahead of schedule.
Fernandina Beach is known for its rich history and beautiful beaches. But what many people don’t know is that it’s also been dubbed the “Birthplace of the Modern Shrimping Industry.”
Even though Fernandina Beach won’t see a population boom in the coming decades, it still has to be able to accommodate those moving to the county because people from those developing areas will come into their downtown, use their beaches and other resources, according to the city.
Much of Amelia Island was used as a backdrop for The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, but the most memorable spot was the house that stood in for Villa Villekulla, Pippi’s home in the story.
Brett’s Waterway Café has long been a mainstay in the community, known for its scenic views and special events. But it is set to be demolished next year due to safety concerns.
There are pirates in Fernandina Beach! And there have been for hundreds of years. Thanks to the island’s natural deep-water port, the area became a haven for the swashbucklers of the sea.
The Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar, still sits at the very location where it was built in the 1870s: at the corner of Centre and 2nd streets in the heart of Fernandina Beach in Nassau County.
When you think of Fernandina, you probably picture peaceful beaches and pristine coastline and that’s exactly what locals and volunteers are fighting to protect. But it’s not just beachgoers who love the sand. A fast-spreading invader is threatening the natural landscape.
Fernandina Beach Pride has given out $36,000 in scholarship money to Nassau County high school seniors since 2019.
From the waterways to the trails to the beaches, here are some hidden gems you don’t want to miss when you venture up to Nassau County’s coast.
As part of our 4 Your Neighborhood visit to Fernandina Beach, we’re highlighting some of the famous folks who call the area home.
Fernandina Beach is undergoing a $20 million shoreline restoration project to combat erosion and protect coastal communities from storm damage.
The beach is associated with beautiful weather and fun, and Jacksonville Beach is no exception; however, as summer approaches, local law enforcement is reminding visitors to prioritize their safety as they have a good time.
Neptune Beach is working to keep students safe by cracking down on the rules of the road with automated speed cameras that are now in effect at local school zones.
Angie's Subs has been a staple of Jacksonville Beach for decades. As it continues to expand on its current location, the owner also has plans to go beyond its foundation in the beach community.
News4JAX is highlighting Duval County’s beaches for this month’s 4 Your Neighborhood special. But beyond the shoreline, there are some hidden gems at the beaches that you don’t want to miss.
Caleb Yauger had his first surfing lesson with Mark Collins at "Mark's Surf Camp." Here's how it went.
Did you know Taco Lu on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach has a ghost? You must go back in time to get to the bottom of the paranormal activity that people who work there tell you is just haunting.
Since 1985, Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, BEAM, has been serving members of the Beaches community who find themselves suddenly in crisis and unable to pay their rent, utility bill or feed their family.
If your dog loves to feel the sand in their paws, Duval County offers several pet-friendly beaches, but each has rules about when our fur friends can visit their shores.
As the sea turtle nesting season continues, the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol urges people to follow proper guidelines to ensure wildlife safety.
The executive director of Florida Elite Soccer Academy talked about the growth of the game in St. Johns County.
St. Johns County is witnessing an explosive rise in the popularity of pickleball, a sport that’s quickly become the fastest-growing sport in the country.
The ongoing growth in the Durbin Pavilion area is evident as new stores and apartments continue to emerge.
The 32259 ZIP code is widely considered to be in St. Johns County. But there is one Duval County neighborhood off of Race Track Road that has a Jacksonville address.
On many days, before Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ even opens its doors, customers are lined up outside.
Pole Vaulting has been an Olympic track and field event since 1896. In 2000, women were finally allowed to compete in the event. On a quiet street in the Switzerland neighborhood, people may notice a red, grey, and navy blue flag outside a home, which will lead them to the “FL Pole Vault Factory, a business dedicated to bringing more attention to the sport and helping produce more elite Olympic level athletes.
Tristyn Bailey’s spirit continues to shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. As her family and the community remember her vibrant life, her parents, Stacy and Forrest Bailey, reflect on the lasting impact she made in her 13 years.
Homeowners are urged not to assume that recent rainfall has eliminated the risk of wildfires. Numerous housing developments in St. Johns County back up to wooded areas, increasing the likelihood of fire hazards.
