As a resident of Jacksonville since 2005 I’ve watched our city grow through bold ambition and careful correction. While we haven’t always gotten everything right, one thing we’ve done well is root our public institutions downtown in a shared civic space that belongs to everyone.
When I was informed about Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci’s resolution urging Duval County Public Schools to keep its headquarters downtown, I knew support was my only response. This isn’t just a conversation about office space — it’s a decision that touches the very identity of Jacksonville.
For generations, downtown has housed the essential organs of our civic life: City Hall, the Courthouse, the Main Library, JEA and the School Board. These buildings aren’t just functional, but symbolic as well. They remind us that government should be accessible, visible and central to the life of our city…