Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) is the lead advocate and facilitator for Riverside Avondale’s historic neighborhoods, vibrant local commercial districts, public spaces, and welcoming community. We are a nonprofit agency that serves as a liaison between neighborhood residents, businesses, and the City to ensure that our neighborhood is preserved, promoted, and celebrated. While we are an important voice for the district, we do not have final decision-making power.

For more information about RAP’s role, please see here.

The City of Jacksonville Planning Department – Historic Preservation Section is a section of the Community Planning Division with expertise in Historic Districts and local Landmarks. The Historic Preservation Section coordinates the City’s Historic Preservation program including the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process and can approve COAs that meet Administrative Review criteria. The Historic Preservation Section also provides administrative support to the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC), which is responsible for reviewing COA applications that do not meet Administrative Review Criteria.

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for reviewing certain applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) and for recommending the designation of local landmarks and districts to the City Council. The JHPC is comprised of seven (7) individuals appointed by the Mayor. The membership includes historic district residents, architects, lawyers, preservationists, and members of the construction trade.

The Jacksonville Historical Society maintains a collection of historical memorabilia for the entire city. It provides educational programs to the community and also functions in an activist role to preserve endangered landmark buildings in the city. RAP partners with the Jacksonville Historical Society to store all historical records related to Riverside Avondale in the JHS archives.