Standing Committees

 

Preservation & Zoning

The Zoning Committee and Historic Preservation Committee meet together. The monthly agenda covers Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission agenda items, zoning notices, and neighborhood concerns. During project review, our committee will meet with developers, businesses, or residents, and assess and discuss impacts to the community - mitigating tension where available.  Committee members attend the monthly Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission meetings and speak to precedent setting decisions regarding exterior changes to properties in the district. When necessary, we participate at the Special Magistrate hearings on code enforcement issues or with the Planning Commission. At times, the committee may pull together specialists to speak to historic preservation elements in the community as a workshop or public meeting.   

Members: Angela Schifanella - Co-Chair (Architect), Thad Crowe - Co-Chair (Urban Planner), Perry Reynolds, Nancy Powell (Executive Director at Scenic Jax), Eric Davidson (Communications Manager), Jeff Lane (Architect), Jeff Rood (Real Estate Attorney), Nathalie Mockler (Realtor, Architect), Amit Vaswani (Architect)

 

Transportation & Infrastructure

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has 3 focus areas for 2023: 1. Streets, Cars & Busses; 2. Flooding, Drainage, & Resiliency; 3. Biking. For Streets, Cars, & Busses, our goal is to maintain our historic street grid and advance and enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility. In Flooding & Drainage our goal is to use local expertise to monitor city projects and provide awareness of safety information in advance of storm events. For biking, our goal is to enhance and improve biking access in Riverside and Avondale. This committee meets monthly and discusses an agenda of relevant updates and information on each topic. 

Members: Andrew Bilello (Bridge Engineer) – Chair, Perry Reynolds, Kellen Lindsey (Civil Engineer), Scott Ennis (Engineer), Robert Turnage (Engineer), Brooks Andrews (Chemical Engineer, Adam Storm (Transportation), Thomas Killoy - Bike/Ped Lead (Honeypot Collective)

Flooding, Drainage, Resiliency Task Force Members: Kellen Lindsey - Chair, Scott Ennis (Engineer), Gillian Dagan (Scientist), Dr. Chau Kelly (Professor of History at UNF), Kyle Watson (Water Resources Engineer)

 

Parks

The Parks Committee keeps track of park improvement projects and advocates for park amenities. We’ve developed a team of Parks Stewards that serve as the eyes and ears of our 26 parks and numerous other public spaces in the neighborhood. The Stewards help with the two annual cleanups in March and September, as well as with the Luminaria Kit distribution in our public spaces. Park Stewards also bring attention to any issues or community concerns happening in our parks. 

Lead advocates: Pamela Telis - Chair, Nancy Powell (Executive Director - Scenic Jacksonville), Kim Clontz (Playgrounds), Alexandria Rudnik, Reed Hawkins (Realtor), Abby Bruce Ravichandran (Native Plant Society), Chloe Kuhn (RAM Market Manager)

 

Creative Placemaking

RAP’s Creative Placemaking Committee intends to elevate the physical and social character of our neighborhood through the creation and promotion of arts, artists, and cultural activities. Our focus in 2023 is advancing the Riverside Avondale Cultural Trail and creating a music history tour/event where people learn about music from Jacksonville and the neighborhood. The committee also serves as a sounding board for ideas from local artists in supporting new projects. 

Members:

Music History Tour - Daria Wicks - Chair, Liz Bobek, Bob Benoit, Deb McDuffie, Nancy Robinson, Yvonne Caldwell, Jordan Logue

Riverside Avondale Cultural Trail - Brooks Andrews, Rick Pariani, Lana Shuttleworth, Victor Joudi, Allegra Cagigas, Brandi Matthews, Sondra Fetner, Melody Bishop, Wayne Wood

 

Event Committees

 

Annual Meeting & Preservation Awards

This committee helps plan our annual meeting, preparing the agenda, speakers, program, and invitations. The committee also creates the juries that decide who our award winners will be. The event is held the third Thursday in February. 

Members: Melody Bishop (Architect), Jeff Lane (Architect)

 

Home Tour

This committee plans our signature event, the Tour of Homes. This event is the pinnacle of our mission, celebrating successful restoration and rehabilitation while showcasing historic architecture. We can feature the craftsman and designers who bring a home together, and gain insight into how to restore your own home. The event often includes a preview party we call “Twilight Party” the same week. In 2024 the Home Tour is planned for April 13-14. 

Members: Joy Walker – Co-Chair (Realtor), Kyle Williams - Co-Chair (Realtor), Perry Reynolds, Debi Pyne, Jane Owen (Realtor), Warren Jones (former RAP Executive Director), Joi Perkins (Realtor), Diamond Deazle (Realtor)

 

Garden Tour

This committee plans our annual Garden Tour which opens wide-ranging yards and gardens for the neighborhood to gain insight and ideas. It is best to have a green thumb on this committee, but not necessary! In 2024 this event is planned for May 11. Committee members help develop the tour list, solicit sponsors, plan activities, coordinate with homeowners, and market the event. 

Members: Judy Matheny - Chair (Investigator), Nick Salter (Realtor), Jon Congdon (Landscaper), Diamond Deazle (Realtor), Alex Gornik (Plant Consultant)

 

Luminaria

Luminaria is a community event that brings thousands of onlookers into our historic district. On one night of the year, usually the Sunday before Christmas at dusk, thousands of candles are lit as lanterns and placed along the sidewalks, streets, park pathways, and porches creating an unsurpassed light show. The committee helps with volunteer coordination and assembly, kit sales, delivery to parks and churches, sponsorship and marketing. Event date December 10, 2023. 

Members: Allegra Cagigas - Chair (Realtor), Elizabeth Loftin (Realtor), Elizabeth Loftin Amanda Kushner, Healy Dwyer, Diamond Deazle (Realtor), Mahaley Jacobs, Sophia Oliveira
Perry Reynolds

 

First Fridays & Business Advocate

First Fridays are a community happy hour hosted at different small businesses each month. They serve to support our small businesses and welcome new residents in the neighborhood. The committee helps come up with First Friday prospects and also works to welcome members to the event, connecting them with resources about our unique historic district. 

Members: Alysa Carmichael (Accountant), Gillian Dagan (Scientist), Ann Strasma

 

Riverside Arts Market Advisory Committee

The Riverside Arts Market meets quarterly with its Advisory Committee to review high level activity at the market. The Advisory Committee is made up of community members and RAM makers and artists to give a unique perspective on the trajectory of the market. 

Members: Brent Fine - Chair (Special Events), Sondra Fetner (Placemaker), Caron Streibich (Communications Manager), Crystal Israel (Little Black Box), Perry Reynolds, Jaycel Adkins (Celeys), Noel Michael (Bello Boopie) and Kathleen Hill (Kismet Art Studios).

 

Board Committees

Governance, Jeff Graff, Chair

Finance, Alysa Carmichael, Chair

Development, Gillian Dagan, Chair