CEMETERY PRESERVATION PROJECT

The Jacksonville Community Council Inc. (JCCI) is assisting the City of Jacksonville in facilitating a project to develop a plan for the maintenance and preservation of the many abandoned cemeteries in Duval County. The project is based on Resolution 2004-1349, which was sponsored by former Councilwoman Gwen Yates and Councilman Art Shad that called for the creation of a “Blue Ribbon Commission” to do the following:

The City Council determined that the Commission should study the issue of abandoned and neglected unincorporated cemeteries in Jacksonville and make recommendations regarding cemetery maintenance and record keeping. The basis for this determination is that there are more than 120 separate cemeteries in Duval County in size from one grave to 60,000 graves; a significant number of unincorporated cemeteries have not been maintained; a number of these cemeteries show no owner of record; and some family members are having a difficult time finding markers and graves for their loved ones.

Therefore the City Council determined that the issue of unincorporated cemeteries, their maintenance and record keeping is of great concern to the citizens of Jacksonville.

City Council President Michael Corrigan appointed the nine-member Blue Ribbon Commission to serve as the Task Force for the project. Appointed are: Joel McEachin from the City’s Planning and Development Department; Brenda Ezell, a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association with real estate and foreclosure experience;  Marion Graham, a representative of the licensed funeral home/mortician industry; Richard Mueller a licensed cemetery operator; Hazel Mack, a representative of cemeteries with a cultural heritage; Jon Ferguson, Emily Lisska, and Louise Warren, three at-large citizens with an interest in abandoned cemeteries;  and Jerry Spinks from the Jacksonville Historical Society, who will serve as Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission.

The regular meetings will take place beginning September 12 at 8:15 a.m. at JCCI, 2434 Atlantic Blvd. Meetings will be held every Wednesday until November 7 and are open to the public. For more information, visit the JCCI web site at www.jcci.org. Completion of the project and its presentation to the community is anticipated in December.

Jacksonville Community Council Inc. (JCCI) is a nonprofit civic organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Northeast Florida. Since 1975, JCCI has convened diverse groups of citizens each year to identify significant community issues for in-depth study. Its goal is to increase public awareness and promote positive action. JCCI’s study process and indicator reports have served as models for hundreds of communities around the world.  For more information, visit the JCCI web site at www.jcci.org.

Meeting Dates

All meetings are open to the public.

Regular meetings will be held on Wednesday's at 9 a.m. and held at JCCI, 2434 Atlantic Blvd.

Meetings Dates:              Topic

September 12                 How the law impacts preservation and maintenance of cemeteries

                                          Review of 1999 report of Florida State Task Force on Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries

September 19                 Identification and Mapping of Cemeteries in Duval County

September 26                 "How To" Issues related to restoration, maintenance and security

October 3                        Case studies on preserving and maintaining cemeteries: New Orleans (Shannon Palmer)

                                          Charlotte, N.C. (Louise Warren)

October 6                        9:30 a.m. Tour of several cemeteries on Moncrief Road (within walking distance)

                                The public is invited to attend. Please meet at the corner of Moncrief Road and Edgewood Avenue at 9:30 a.m.

October 10                     Case study on Pensacola, Fl (Margo Stringfield)

October 17                     City of Jacksonville Issues

October 24                     How Burial Sites Impact Housing Development

October 27                      9 a.m. Visit to Gravely Hill Cemetery to observe maintenance and preservation procedures

October 31                      Develop Action Plan

November 7                    Action Plan

November 26                  Open Public Forum, 7-8:30 p.m. at Bradham-Brooks Northwest Library,

                                          1755 Edgewood Ave.

November 27                  Open Public Forum 7 p.m. Regency Square Regional Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd.

November 29                  Open Public Forum 6 p.m. SOS Academy, 6974 Wilson Blvd.

November 30                  Finalize Action Plan

For a list of meeting summaries and handouts please click here.