Doris Goldstein is making sacrifices to move across the country.
Leaving the home she’s had for more than 30 years is hard. Leaving friends she’s made along the way will be, too.
But those weren’t the hardest parts about leaving Jacksonville.
The most heartache came from stepping away from the Downtown Investment Authority board. It was a deep struggle for the attorney who’s spent her career pushing for walkable communities.
“It really felt like I was using my skill set and knowledge in a way that nothing else could,” she said.
Her husband, Jeffrey, took a job at UCLA Medical Center — a great opportunity to return to academic medicine. One simply too good to pass up.
That means moving from Jacksonville, the place he grew up in and the two have called home since 1982.
It was the DIA board work that kept her here. She joined the board responsible for overseeing Downtown’s path last summer. Since then, her biggest role has been with the Jacksonville Landing.
After an initial redesign pitched by the Landing was widely criticized, the DIA board picked Goldstein and authority CEO Aundra Wallace to review and select a redesign firm that would work with the developer on a layout.
A firm was selected, public forums were held and a new design was underway. But a lawsuit between the venue and city has caused delays.
Regardless, Goldstein wanted the project designed to be walkable and allow more access to the St. Johns River.
She’s wanted that for every Downtown project.
Wallace said Goldstein has kept him and board members conscious of the need for proper design for walkability. It’s been one of her biggest strengths on the board, Wallace said.
And not just for sidewalks or street crossings. Rather, does it help make the urban core a truly walkable environment for living and working?
“If we don’t, nothing else we do on the DIA will matter,” Goldstein said.
It’s a concept that’s been used by Seaside, her major client over the years. The Panhandle waterfront community has been called the birthplace of New Urbanism.
Many people have never lived in a walkable environment and don’t “understand how delightful it is,” she said.
Out-of-towners and younger people often look for such a place. The urban core, she said, could be that place — LaVilla, Brooklyn, Five Points, Springfield and San Marco all knit together.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” she said. “It’s killing me to leave just as things are getting exciting.”
Her departure will be effective at the end of the month. From there, it’s on to Los Angeles full time to be with her husband and daughters, who moved there as young adults. She’ll be closer to a new grandchild, too.
Although leaving is hard, she’ll be in the walkable Brentwood community — a stark difference from car-centric Mandarin.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the change,” she said. A grocery store, a dozen restaurants, bank, gym and a hair stylist all will be within a short, easy walk.
It’s what she still wants for Jacksonville, not just Downtown. It’s just the pieces have been there for the urban core to take advantage.
Goldstein said she will keep tabs on progress from afar. She has hope more will happen now that DIA staff and board members have their feet under them.
Her replacement is slated to be Brenna Durden, a shareholder with the Lewis, Longman & Walker firm. Durden specializes in land development and sustainability among other areas.
Goldstein hopes there is future political will — and funding — needed for the proper investment.
And when the Landing project picks back up and the ceremonial shovels move dirt, she’ll be there.
“Absolutely,” she said.
It’ll have her footprints on it.
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