Official City Notice: Downtown Revitalization Debate and Public Health Alerts

City Council Special Committee: Future of Downtown

Notice is hereby given that the Special Committee on the Future of Downtown will convene today, Monday, February 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The meeting is held in the Council Chamber on the first floor of City Hall at the St. James Building, located at 117 West Duval Street. Under the direction of Committee Chair Joe Carlucci, the committee will continue its evaluation of public funding and completion grants for major revitalization projects. The agenda focuses on the effectiveness of current incentives for large-scale developments such as the Shipyards and Pearl Square district. Council members are expected to debate whether the city should reduce public assistance for certain downtown projects to protect the municipal operating budget, while others argue that continued support is necessary to maintain momentum in unproven markets.

Public Health Advisory: Measles and Water Quality Alerts

The Florida Department of Health in Duval County has issued a critical update regarding public health concerns in the Jacksonville area. Medical officials have confirmed five cases of measles within Duval County, all involving children. Residents are urged to review their vaccination records and monitor for symptoms such as high fever, cough, and a characteristic rash. This highly infectious virus spreads through respiratory droplets, and the health department is coordinating with local schools to mitigate further exposure.

Additionally, a health alert remains active for the St. Johns River near Mandarin Point due to the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid swimming, wading, or using personal watercraft in areas where visible blooms are present. Do not drink the water or use it for cooking, as boiling will not remove the toxins. Pets should be kept away from the shoreline, and any skin contact with discolored or odorous water should be followed by immediate washing with soap and clean water.

Advisory Board and Community Meetings

• Mayor’s Asian American Advisory Board: Scheduled to meet today at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at City Hall to discuss community initiatives and upcoming cultural events.
• Public Service Grant Council: A meeting will take place at 2:00 p.m. regarding the distribution of municipal grants. This is a hybrid session available both in person and via Zoom.
• Greater Arlington / Beaches CPAC: The Citizens Planning Advisory Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., with a subcommittee meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. This session will address neighborhood improvement projects and zoning applications for the Arlington and Beaches areas.

Public Service Announcement for City Employees

The City of Jacksonville is hosting a biometric screening event today for municipal employees only. The session runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Police Memorial Building Drill Hall, located at 501 East Bay Street. Employees are encouraged to participate as part of the city’s 2026 wellness and insurance initiatives.