Florida Avenue Main Street Inc., a new organization that will oversee the business revitalization efforts of Jacksonville’s historic Eastside neighborhood, announced Dec. 12 that Nigelle Kohn will serve as its executive director.
The Eastside is north of Everbank Stadium. As part of the $1.4 billion “Stadium of the Future” deal between the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars, City Council approved a community benefits agreement that includes $40 million to boost the Eastside over seven years.
Kohn will work to partner with Eastside business and property owners to maintain and create new revenue as well as set aside properties for redevelopment, the nonprofit said in a news release.
“Alongside major development in the surrounding area, Eastside residents and businesses based on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard are ready to revitalize the corridor to the bustling business hub it once was,” Kohn said in the release.
“It’s an honor for me to champion these revitalization efforts with residents, property and business owners to support preservation and a prosperous future OutEast.”
OutEast is another name for the Eastside. It was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
Kohn served as finance and administration manager at Family Foundations of Northeast Florida, senior program officer at LISC Jacksonville and finance/operations manager at Ability Housing.
She is a Jacksonville native with knowledge of the historic and cultural significance of the neighborhood, the release said.
“This initiative was a direct response to the desire of local business leaders seeing Main Street as a key tool in advancing The Avenue. Nigelle will be a fantastic leader to connect with the community, build new partnerships and help the neighborhood reach new milestones,” said Travis Williams, COO of LIFT JAX, in the release.
Florida Avenue Main Street was formed by the Eastside Legacy Business Council with support from Eastside residents, LIFT JAX, the Historic Eastside Community Development Corp. and the city of Jacksonville.
Florida Avenue Main Street’s board of directors executive committee are:
• Avery McKnight, chair, owner of Concrete Renovations and co-owner of Hair Architects, Eastside business owner
• Ariane Randolph, co-chair, entrepreneur and community leader, Eastside resident
• Caleena Shirley, vice chair, regional director at the Black Business Investment Fund
• Ivy Henderson, ASLA, vice chair, director of Housing & Real Estate at LIFT JAX, Eastside resident
• Adrienne Burke, secretary, principal at Community Planning Collaborative
• A. Michele Kimbrough, treasurer, owner at Honey Dripper House, Eastside business owner and resident