Brentwood residents say promised community center became JSEB business center without notice

Lydia Bell, president of the Metro Gardens Neighborhood Association in Brentwood, told the Jacksonville City Council Special Committee on JSEB on April 7 that neighborhood residents were not notified before a city-owned property previously described as a community center was designated for a JSEB business center.

The matter drew multiple public commenters during the committee’s public-comment period, who said the city has repeatedly promised a community center and then altered plans without engaging residents. "Why wasn't it a planning hearing? Who are these people of JSEB that we know nothing about?" Bell asked the committee.

Why it matters: Brentwood residents said local priorities include a community center, skills training and urgent care—not a business incubator—and they said the decision-making and communication process has left them feeling disrespected. Several speakers said nearby developments, including an oncoming morgue and forensic lab, are already lowering property values and compounding neighborhood concerns.

Residents described past efforts to block a drive-through liquor store in the neighborhood and said city officials had verbally promised the site would serve community needs. "We was promised a community center. We need a community center," James Matchett said during public comment, adding that neighborhood groups want a role in deciding uses for the site.

Commenters also raised economic-development concerns. Wells Todd asked how many JSEB centers exist in Jacksonville and what success the program has had creating higher-paying jobs. Greg Grant, who spoke for the JSEB office during the committee discussion, said this would be the first city-managed JSEB center and that the program’s success metrics so far are drawn from related programs such as the Small Business Development Center.

Other speakers tied the complaint to broader concerns about equitable access to city contracting. Mike Ludwig of the Northside Coalition said recent disparity studies show Black-, minority- and women-owned businesses have been excluded from city contracting; he urged continuation of the disparity study and stronger requirements for prime contractors to include JSEB subcontractors.

Robert Flournoy, president of Magnolia Garden Community Development and of 4 Stop Plumbing Inc., said he has worked as a JSEB contractor since the affirmative-action era and argued the city’s past code changes limited opportunities for Black contractors. "Affirmative action did not work because the city of Jacksonville changed a code, the amendment 10, to keep African Americans from getting contracts," Flournoy said.

What the committee said it would do: Committee members acknowledged the public comments and discussed tabling the site-specific question for broader community engagement. Chairpersons and council members said they would pause action on locating the JSEB center at the Golffair property until neighbors have an opportunity for input.

The committee scheduled further discussion and follow-up at a future special meeting to allow staff to report back on alternatives and community outreach.

Ending: Residents asked for clearer, formal notice, written explanations and an opportunity to be part of decisions about the neighborhood’s services and facilities. The committee directed staff to engage the neighborhood and to report back at a later meeting.