About the Cathedral District
The Cathedral District is a 36-block area around St. John’s Cathedral in Downtown Jacksonville. Encompassing 118 acres, it is currently being redeveloped into a leafy, green, vibrant neighborhood where a diverse array of residents can live, work, and play together.
The District extends north to south from State Street to Adams Street and east to west from Main Street to N. Liberty Street. And it embraces five historic houses of worship, including the Cathedral, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and Historic Mt. Zion A.M.E.
With such an ecumenical presence, it’s no surprise that the vision for redeveloping the Cathedral District is based on the ideal of the medieval cathedral – the center of village life and the source of education, art and worship for people of all occupations and backgrounds.
OUR VISION
Led by Cathedral District Jax-Inc. (CDJ), a Florida nonprofit founded in 2016, the renewal effort has already broken ground on its first project, the development of 120 apartments for mixed-income residents. And CDJ’s board and stakeholders are committed to achieving the vision of a thriving neighborhood that appeals to a broad cross-section of residents.
Reaching that goal won’t be easy. The area is currently dotted with vacant properties and surface parking lots, beset by homelessness, and perceived by many as unsafe. Fortunately, a determined group of stakeholders — including businesses, churches, nonprofit organizations, residents and other Downtown advocates — are prepared to work hard and stay “in it” for the long haul. And all of them are working from professional facts, strategic targets and patience!
CDJ AND DIVERSITY
We at CDJ are committed to diversity in the neighborhood that we are rebuilding, it is reflected in our Board of Directors composition and in our delivery of services to the Cathedral District. We believe open dialogue, listening and frank discussion among people is a step in the right direction.
Learn more about the history and future of the District by downloading our Master Development Plan, reading our News page, or contacting us.