REAL ESTATE WIRE --
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (December 15, 2014) – Mayor Alvin Brown was joined today by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and Council Member Dr. Johnny Gaffney to announce the latest Renew Jax enhancement, C.B. Dailey Villas. The investment in East Jacksonville is intended to provide quality housing options, with preference for veterans to continue empowering neighborhoods.
“With Renew Jax, we’re empowering our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Brown. “The C.B. Dailey Villas are a great example of what we can achieve with the power of public-private partnerships. Along with other Renew Jax projects, this housing development for veterans will improve quality of life and expand economic opportunities in our neighborhoods.”
The launch of Renew Jax follows recent actions by Mayor Brown to activate investment in distressed areas of Jacksonville. The mayor has reactivated the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund, and its board will begin leveraging new job opportunities and spark investment.
The Fund Board will focus on small businesses, entrepreneurs and commercial development. Mayor Brown also appointed members of the Community Wealth Building Initiative task force to help create new, innovative strategies to empower neighborhood economic development in Northwest Jacksonville. The task force is chaired by Darnell Smith of Florida Blue.
“I’m proud of what’s happening in Jacksonville and all the hard work being done to transform neighborhoods,” said Rep. Brown. “Today’s announcement is not just a victory for East Jacksonville, it’s a step in the right direction for the entire city.”
C.B. Dailey Villas will provide affordable, quality rental housing for individuals living between 50 to 120 percent of the area’s median income, and designed to attract local veterans. Construction is expected to be completed August 2015 and will consist of 24 one-bedroom apartment homes and feature a fully-equipped fitness center and billiard room. The total project cost is $3.3 million – with funding from federal, state and private sources, including a generous grant of $200,000 from EverBank.
The development, located at 1055 East 1st St., is named after local fair housing advocate and community activist Rev. Charles B. Dailey, who was a longtime religious and civil rights leader in Jacksonville. Rev. Dailey was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Oakland in East Jacksonville, which is now led by his son, Torin Terrell Dailey.
Under Rev. Dailey’s leadership, the church was a pioneer in building affordable housing and promoting economic development in East Jacksonville. Wealth Watchers, the nonprofit developer of this project, chose to recognize Rev. Dailey’s many years of community leadership in East Jacksonville by naming this development in his honor.
“C.B. Dailey Villas is the type of development that can change the face of this neighborhood, and I’m pleased to be a part of it,” said Council Member Gaffney. “I’m confident this is the beginning of many great things for Jacksonville’s Eastside. “
“Wealth Watchers Inc. is honored to continue the work of Rev. Charles B. Dailey by providing quality housing opportunities in the East Side Community,” said Carrie Davis, president of Wealth Watchers. “We are thankful to the men and women of the armed services who served and made sacrifices for our country and our freedom and we are honored to be able to offer them an opportunity to live close to our amazing sports complex and our river.”
Rev. Dailey dedicated his life to affecting change in the community, working against racial inequity and serving as a voice for hope during turbulent times in the city’s history. He never wavered in his commitment to the greater good, and encouraged the black and white communities to work toward partnership. A passionate civil rights and fair housing advocate, Rev. Dailey cultivated relationships in every sector of the city and worked closely with government and faith leaders, including fellow change-maker Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church.
“Anyone who knew Rev. Dailey knew that he was concerned about the wholeness of people and wanted them to be blessed with housing, employment and health,” said Bishop Rudolph McKissick Sr. “He was a vet and it is only fitting that this project would house veterans in the area where he labored for so long. There could not be a better tribute to carry his name and ensure that he will continue to live among us. There will never be another C. B. Dailey. “
Renew Jax is founded on public-private partnerships to improve and expand housing opportunities, promote economic development and job creation, and strengthen families. Renew Jax will target blighted, underserved neighborhoods, specifically those in East Jacksonville and Northwest Jacksonville. For more information, visit http://www.coj.net/renew-jax.aspx.