Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) recently announced a Speaker Series for 2020. Topics include streetcars, Ottis Toole, resiliency in historic neighborhoods, and growing your own food. 

On February 20, Robert W. Mann will take attendees "back to a time when Jacksonville once had the largest streetcar system in Florida and [will chronicle] the story behind Florida's bygone streetcar epoch and the dramatic history of city builders, financiers, organized labor, civil rights, fire, fever, nabobs, and railway men". The free event will be held at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and the program will be from 6-7pm. Learn more and check for event updates here.

On April 16, Tim Gilmore will present on

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) will be hosting two historic preservation workshops in the first quarter of 2020. 

The first workshop is COA and Siding Repair, and will be held on January 21. According to the event page, attendees will "learn about [the COA] process, what requires a COA and what does not, and how to be most efficient with your time when it comes to renovating a historic property" as well as "the guidelines the Jacksonville Planning and Development Department uses to determine the appropriateness of repairing and replacing siding in Historic Districts". Registration for this event is available here. Sign-in will begin at 5:30pm, and the workshop will run from 6-7pm. 

The second workshop will be

December is here and there are plenty of holiday themed events happening in Jacksonville's historic urban core neighborhoods! We've rounded up a list of our picks for the best ways to celebrate the season. Let us know what you're planning to attend!

December 4 - December 28 - Gingerbread Extravaganza
Jacksonville Historical Society is hosting the 17th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza this year! Attendees can view the creations of over 50 builders this year, and vote on their favorite. This annual fundraiser for the Jacksonville Historical Society is a beloved tradition in the urban core. Learn more about this event. 

December 4 - First Wednesday Art Walk | Spirit of Giving
Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk is back tomorrow, from 5-9pm, in Downtown

(Design by Fabulizz Design Studio)

Jax PorchFest is a little over a week away, and we’re looking forward to a full day of fun on November 9th! Now in its sixth year, Jacksonville PorchFest is a free music festival that occurs on the porches and parks in Historic Springfield.  

From 12:30-5pm, you’ll be able to enjoy 18 different bands playing on porches (the streets where musicians are performing are closed off, making it easy to walk around the festival), and three headliners will perform in Klutho Park throughout the day. You can see the full schedule at the end of this post. Plan to spend the whole day in Springfield; you’ll have plenty of food, beverage, and entertainment options to keep the whole family happy! 

Jacksonville PorchFest is

Whether you're thinking about a move to Jacksonville or have lived here your whole life, you'll want to understand the intricacies of our historic neighborhoods. Jacksonville's urban core neighborhoods can be locally designated historic districts, districts on the National Register of Historic Places, both, or neither. Sound confusing? Keep reading to understand what each category means. 

Locally Designated Historic Districts: Riverside, Avondale, Springfield, and the St. Johns Quarter are all locally designated historic districts. Any exterior work requires an approved Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application through the City of Jacksonville. (The neighborhood organizations RAP and SPAR do not process COA applications.) Learn

We're starting a new blog series, 3 Reasons To Love! We'll be highlighting Urban Core small businesses, and sharing a few of our favorite things about them.

We're excited to kick this off with Hyperion Brewing Company in Springfield.

#3ReasonsToLove Hyperion Brewing Company

1. Springfield's first brewery! Hyperion opened in 2017, and played a major role in the revitalization of Main Street. We love watching the store fronts fill up now. Thank them for believing in the neighborhood!

2. The Big Jim! The ultimate flight of 15 beers (best enjoyed with friends in the Helios Beer Garden) is a great way to sample everything Hyperion has on draft!

3. Events! Hyperion has multiple events happening each week, from comedy shows to live music

October is a busy time in Jacksonville! With the weather cooling down, event season is in full swing. We've rounded up some of our picks for the month of October; let us know what you're checking out this month!

October 4th – Let’s RAP: First Friday at Clover & Woolly

Riverside Avondale Preservation will be hosting their monthly First Friday event at Clover & Woolly Salon from 5-7pm on October 4th. This free neighborhood event is a fantastic chance to get to know local businesses and mingle with your neighbors.

You will be able to enjoy light-bites, beer and wine, and live music by Alaina Colding.

October 5th – River City Pride Parade and the 5 Points Pride Block Party

The River City Pride Parade will take place on October 5th at

The holiday season is officially upon us, and this Saturday is Small Business Saturday! We've complied a list of events in Jacksonville's urban core that embrace shopping local for the holidays. Check out the links below for more information and any updates to the events; and let us know where you'll be shopping on Saturday!

Riverside Avondale

- Small Business Saturday at the Riverside Arts Market - Visit RAM from 10am-3pm to support over 100 local artists, makers, and farmers! You'll be able to find something for everyone on your holiday list at the Riverside Arts Market.

- Shop Small Holiday Tea Party - Studio Apothecary at 1268 McDuff Ave S will be hosting over 40 artists and artisans in a relaxing environment. Enjoy free gift wrapping and

We think one of the best ways to get to know a neighborhood is to meet the people who live, work, and play in that area. We're excited to be starting a new series on the Bloom Realty blog - Making a Neighborhood. 

Join us for interviews with business owners, creatives, local legends, and more; all of whom make a difference in the Jacksonville historic neighborhoods. 

We'll be updating this page with links to the interviews as they are added to our blog. 

Riverside Avondale
Redfield Salon - Scott Redfield

Murray Hill 
Town Beer Co. - Priya Moldovan

If you know someone we should interview, please email us at info@bloomrealty.com.

By: Heather Benfield

At Bloom Realty, we love Jacksonville's historic neighborhoods, and all of the features that make them unique places to live. All of these areas lend themselves to the vibrancy of Jacksonville community, and we've complied a list of reasons to live in these neighborhoods.   

The People

Generally speaking, residents of Jacksonville’s urban core historic districts are a passionate bunch. You’re sure to find an array of interests and causes that your neighbors support. Just about every weekend you can find an event in these neighborhoods that benefits an area non-profit, and is focused on increasing neighbor interaction, or that supports an idea of community involvement.

“I've lived in Riverside for more than 20 years,”