Stellar to construct $1.8M Trinity Baptist Church addition
Trinity Baptist Church will soon have a $1.8 million addition that’s being built by Stellar, a Jacksonville-based design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm.
It’s an 11,273-square-foot connector plaza for the church at 800 Hammond Blvd.
The plaza will act as a new front door and welcome center for church members, students and staff. It also will feature a check-in area, café, book store, play area, restrooms and hospitality area with seating.
A groundbreaking is scheduled Sunday, with construction anticipated to last six months. An April grand opening is tentatively planned.
Beach cleanup scheduled for Saturday
The city and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful will host the annual beach cleanup at 9 a.m. Saturday as part of the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville Beach.
Volunteer check-in will be at the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful tent at the Sea Walk Pavilion.
It’s organized by the group, Sea to Shore Alliance and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Volunteers must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult. Community service certificates will be available.
For more information, call (904) 630-3420.
Feds award JTA almost $400,000 grant
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded more than $399,000 to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority as part of the Rides to Wellness Initiative.
The federal program emphasizes public transportation as a strategy for people to access non-emergency health care. Doing so prevents fewer hospital visits, lowers costs and promotes better overall health.
The local project includes developing an interface between the medical system’s software and the authority’s TransPortal.
The resource center helps riders find their best options for specific trips. It was launched 13 years ago by JTA and several Northeast Florida counties.
With a single click, the interface provides someone setting a medical appointment with best available travel times and costs.
The program will help will “open the lines of communication” between medical staff and transportation providers, said Nathaniel Ford Sr., authority CEO.
The authority will work with UF Health to develop Northeast Florida’s project plan.
Allegiant plans nonstop to Cleveland
Allegiant Air announced that starting in February the airline would offer a nonstop service from Jacksonville to Cleveland.
The flights will operate twice weekly between Jacksonville International Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
The first flight from Jacksonville departs Feb. 16 at 2:57 p.m. and arrives in Cleveland at 5:07 p.m., with the first trip from Cleveland leaving Feb. 19 at 5:47 p.m. and arriving in Jacksonville at 7:57 p.m.
Some one-way fares are being offered for as low as $50 for the new route.
For information, visit allegiantair.com.
Duval Delegation meeting Nov. 28
The Duval County Legislative Delegation will have an organizational meeting from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 28 to elect its chair and vice chair for next year.
Additionally, members of the delegation will hear from the public on various issues during the meeting.
Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must complete a request form available at bit.ly/2ddYMA3.
Speakers will be given three minutes.
For more information, call Paula Shoup, delegation coordinator, at (904) 630-1680.
MOCA names Anthony Aiuppy new Weaver educator
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville has named Anthony Aiuppy as a new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Educator for Family and Children’s Programs.
Aiuppy’s responsibilities include designing school tours for students, crafting lesson plans for outreach programs and designing art-marketing activities.
He has a bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing from the University of North Florida and a master’s degree in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He previously taught elementary art for Duval County Public Schools and drawing classes at Reddi-Arts.
The Weavers in November gave $500,000 to endow an education position at the museum.
Business, city officials head to London to sell Jacksonville
With the Jacksonville Jaguars this week making their annual trip to London for a football game, local business and public officials are again joining to sell Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville elected official delegation is Mayor Lenny Curry and City Council President Lori Boyer.
City and business-related officials include Kirk Wendland, city Office of Economic Development executive director; Daniel Davis, JAX Chamber president and CEO; Darnell Smith, 2017 JAX Chamber chair; Jerry Mallot, JAXUSA Partnership president; and Paul Astleford, Visit Jacksonville president and CEO.
Many within the Jacksonville contingent arrived Sunday and will spend time with over the week with organizations like ConnectIreland, the economic development arm for the country; London & Partners, which attracts investments to the country’s capital; the Port of Bristol; JPMorgan Chase & Co. and several unnamed companies.
Local officials use the opportunity as a way to sell companies on moving business to Jacksonville.
One example, in November officials touted the announcement of London-based Resource Solutions seeking to open a global service center. It has several openings available.
St. Vincent's HealthCare doctor named to national board
Dr. Robert Raspa was elected to the American Academy of Family Physicians board of directors for a three-year term that ends in 2019.
He previously served as chair of several of the organization’s committees and commissions.
Raspa is a faculty member at St. Vincent’s HealthCare. He also is a clinical associate professor at Nova Southeastern School of Osteopathic Medicine and a clinical assistant professor at the Florida State University School of Medicine.
The academy is a statewide association with more than 5,000 members, including practicing family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students.
Electra America acquires Southside apartment complex
Electra America; its partner, Robbins Property Associates; and Spoke Real Estate Capital have acquired a 360-unit Jacksonville apartment complex they will rebrand and renovate.
It’s the 28th multifamily property Electra and Robbins have jointly purchased over the past year.
The Glades, at 7524 Southside Blvd., consists of one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 550 to 1,070 square feet. It’s 97 percent occupied.
Electra/Robbins will carry out a $2.6 million upgrade to the interior of units, clubhouse, fitness center and overall amenities.
Chabad of Southside breaks ground on center
Chabad of Southside held a groundbreaking for its Center for Jewish Life, a 10,000-square-foot religious hub that will include a student lounge, library and kitchen.
The idea for a larger facility came from Rabbi Shmuli Novack and his wife Chana, who founded the Lubavitch Center in 2008. They saw a need to expand efforts to reach more than 1,000 students who attend nearby universities.
The $2.4 million project will be funded through donations and community support. The center will be the first synagogue to be built in Jacksonville this century, according to the organization.
Forever Fit 50 & Beyond games run Friday-Oct. 8
The city’s Senior Services Division will host its Forever Fit 50 & Beyond senior games starting Friday and running through Oct. 8.
The events encourage healthy and active lifestyles for people 50 and over. Events are hosted at venues throughout Jacksonville and are designed for seasoned and novice athletes.
Opening ceremonies will be 1 p.m. Friday at Metropolitan Park.
For more information, visit bit.ly/2cX9AB5.