Starting a business should be an exciting and rewarding venture, yet here in Arlington, Jacksonville, the reality has been far different. We have encountered a barrage of evolving stipulations linked with the Arlington Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) that have made it nearly impossible to move forward with our business plans. Sadly, ours is not an isolated case. Fellow business owners in Arlington have been subjected to mandatory directives with little to no follow-up guidance, putting undue strain on their operations and stifling the potential growth of our community.

The Arlington CRA was established with intentions to revitalize and improve our neighborhood through collaboration with the community. However, its execution has been far from the cooperative effort it was meant to be. It has turned into a system of enforcement, rather than support, creating roadblocks instead of pathways to progress. The overlay nature of this CRA makes it unique in Jacksonville, but instead of being a model for innovation, it has become a source of misinformation and miscommunication at the city level.

Many local businesses are struggling because they've been treated unjustly under the CRA’s current mandatory scheme. It seems what began as a well-meaning initiative has strayed from its core mission, resulting in a breakdown of trust and collaboration between business owners and city officials.

We urge the city of Jacksonville to pause the Arlington CRA and re-evaluate its framework in consultation with the very community it aims to serve. There needs to be a return to the core purpose of promoting redevelopment through genuine community collaboration. By doing so, we can foster an environment where local businesses are not just surviving, but thriving. Please sign this petition to demand a fair reassessment and adjustment of the Arlington CRA practices, ensuring transparency, equity, and real growth for Arlington and its residents.