The Development Divide Series

John Hawley

Jul 1, 2026

The Development Divide- Downtown Investments. Neighborhood Needs.

Jacksonville is investing heavily in downtown redevelopment, major real estate projects and public-private partnerships. The Development Divide follows where those taxpayer dollars are going—and asks how those investments compare with the infrastructure, services and everyday needs of neighborhoods across the city.

The series examines development incentives, public financing, Downtown Investment Authority agreements, major developers, housing commitments, infrastructure spending and taxpayer risk. Rather than looking at individual projects in isolation, we connect the deals to show the larger pattern of Jacksonville's development strategy.

Use the articles below to follow the series from the beginning or explore individual projects and issues. Each installment adds another piece to the picture: who receives public support, what taxpayers receive in return, and how Jacksonville balances downtown ambitions with needs throughout the rest of the city.