Cathedral District-Jax, Inc. (CDJ),  a local neighborhood redevelopment nonprofit, has today announced that Mayor Donna Deegan will be joining the organization for a dedication ceremony on Friday, October 31st, to celebrate the installation of four neighborhood gateway markers welcoming residents and visitors to Cathedral Hill.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. at Main Street Pocket Park at 133 E. Forsyth St. Attendees will be invited to celebrate the work of local artist David Ponsler, who was selected from a national call for artists to work with CDJ on this $108,800 project to deliver gateway markers that celebrate the spirit of Cathedral Hill.

This milestone marks the final stages of an 18-month collaboration between CDJ and Ponsler, which has yielded four prominent gateway markers that celebrate the spirit of Cathedral Hill. Purple and green in color, the markers’ design honors the neighborhood’s history and architecture, with their horizontal cross-blades depicting the area’s prominent churches, houses, and businesses. Each vibrant, weather-resistant marker stands 12 feet tall, crafted of steel and weighing in at 1,375 lbs.

The gateway markers have been installed at each of four selected intersections: N. Main St. and E. Monroe S., N Market St. and E. Adams St., E. Duval St. and N. Washington St., and N Market St. and E. Beaver St.

The gateway art project has been in progress since last summer, when CDJ’s selection committee chose Ponsler’s design from a pool of applications sent by local and national artists. Ponsler has specialized in blacksmithing and design consulting for decades, being a longtime artist based locally in Jacksonville.

Ponsler said that upon discovering CDJ’s request for artist submissions, he was immediately inspired to conceptualize a design.

“I had recently been honored to design and create a pair of memorial candlesticks for St. John’s Cathedral, so I had re-familiarized myself with the neighborhood and its progress,” Ponsler said. “Over my long career I have enjoyed designing dramatic entryways, like the archway over Stockton Park.”

CDJ President and Founder Ginny Myrick said that this project has been a goal of CDJ’s since the need for gateway art was established in the organization’s master plan.

“Since CDJ’s master plan was approved by the DIA in 2017, we have envisioned installing gateway art to welcome residents and visitors into this historic neighborhood,” Myrick said. “Projects like this don’t happen overnight, and they don’t happen without help. We are deeply grateful to David Ponsler, our sponsors, our staff, and all who helped make this vision a reality.”

This gateway marker installation project was completed in alignment with CDJ’s strategy for neighborhood advocacy and revitalization. CDJ’s master plan, created by Torti Gallas + Partners and approved by the DIA in 2017, lays out the need for gateway art (page 22).

Presenting sponsor NEFAR sparked the idea for the project in 2024. Supporting local and regional sponsors and community organizations provided additional funding for this $108,800 public art initiative:

The project was sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Additionally, Harbinger Sign provided an in-kind donation to print the gateway markers’ sign blades.

This public art project plays a crucial role in CDJ’s advocacy for the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. CDJ works to revitalize Cathedral Hill by bringing property owners together with developers to grow the community into a space where residents and visitors of all backgrounds can live, work, and play together.

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About Cathedral District-Jax

Cathedral District-Jax Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization guiding the redevelopment of the 36-block historic Cathedral District of downtown Jacksonville into a vibrant neighborhood where all residents can live, work, and play together.

About the AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit aarp.org/Livable

Download the PDF of this press release.

Media Contact:
Cathedral District-Jax, Inc.
Ginny Myrick
(904) 536-8022
ginny@cathedraldistrict-jax.org