OPINION | Don’t stop believing in Jacksonville’s historic Downtown rebirth

A month ago, restoration of the privately owned Laura Street Trio in historic Downtown Jacksonville seemed impossible, a leap too far.

City government and the Trio’s owner expressed frustration over their failure to agree on public financial incentives. The Deegan administration filed a foreclosure lawsuit; Southeast Development Group principal Steve Atkins said he was ready to walk away.

That was then.

Aided by the Special Committee on the Future of Downtown, the parties continued to believe a deal was possible and to work toward that end.

This week, Southeast announced it is bringing a much needed equity partner—Live Oak Contracting—into the historic restoration project, and the administration dropped its foreclosure lawsuit (“without prejudice,” meaning the foreclosure lawsuit could resurface at a later date should restoration go awry).

Acceptable terms now must be developed.

So we’re not there yet. The forever skeptics among us won’t believe it until we see it.

But believe we must

And remain engaged we must.

While dancing the happy dance on Laura Street may be premature, engaged citizens must remain focused on our collective interest in seeing the restoration of historic Downtown Jacksonville completed, the key to which is Steve Atkins’ project to breathe new life into Laura Street.

While we can never prove it and whether anyone admits it, citizen voices in large measure shape how elected officials see the world. Advocacy is not for the faint of heart. It can take years and incredible determination. It often fails.

Committed citizen advocates share a common trait: They believe their voice makes a difference. It was anthropologist Margaret Mead who allegedly said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Advocates maintain faith in that idea, no matter how daunting or difficult the task.

No private citizen, save Trio owner Steve Atkins of Southeast Group, who successfully restored Barnett Tower, has done more to give voice to the historical and catalytic importance of restoring the Laura Street Trio than local architectural historian Wayne Wood.

To mark the occasion and provide context, to help us maintain our collective faith—to keep believing this restoration project is the key to all good things Downtown—here’s Wood’s instructive brief 11-minute history of the Laura Street Trio.

Treat yourself.

This column appears under a partnership with JaxLookout .

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