1-27-25 Speaker Forms & HandoutsResilient Jacksonville, released in October 2023, looks to the future of our
city for the next 50 years and establishes an ambitious framework for tackling
complex challenges over the coming decades. The strategy leans on sound
science and data as the foundation for planning and decision-making to ensure
actions today meet the needs of tomorrow. As the City continues to embrace
change from increasing and uncertain risks, Jacksonville is well on its way
to achieving its vision as a more resilient city that proactively adapts, fosters
healthy communities and environments, expands opportunities, and builds for
the future.
Over the past year, the City has been working diligently to implement this
vision, using a science-based approach to prioritizing actions and investments.
The newly established Office of Resilience has added capacity and expertise to
lead the implementation of Resilient Jacksonville with the same rigor as used in
the development of the strategy. In the first year alone, the City has fostered a
culture of resilience and moved swiftly to implement actions, with 38 of the 45
actions currently underway.
Jacksonville’s innovative approach to resilience has established it as a national
leader in the field. In this capacity, the City has prioritized sharing best
practices and lessons learned in addressing flooding and urban heat issues
with communities across Florida and the country. The City is dedicated to
maintaining partnerships, advancing actions, and remaining on the cutting
edge of resilience. We look forward to continuing the momentum towards
building a resilient Jacksonville with you.
OCTOBER 2024
ANNUAL
UPDATE
RESILIENTJACKSONVILLE
Resilience Approaches and Actions
that focus on residents, communities,
businesses, organizations, and partnerships.
Total Actions
16
Actions In Progress
13
Adaptation Approaches and Actions that
can be implemented at the scale of
a single asset or site.
Total Actions
9
Actions In Progress
7
Adaptation Approaches and Actions that
work across multiple sites at a neighborhood,
corridor, landscape, or regional scale.
Resilience Funding To-Date
Includes but not limited to
Total Actions
20
Actions In Progress
18
RESILIENT JACKSONVILLE BY THE NUMBERS
Systems PeopleSites
Resilient Florida
Grant Program
$38.7M
Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Climate Pollution
Reduction Grant
$1MEnvironmental Protection Agency
Heat Watch Study
$12K
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
Community Wildfire
Defense Grant
$250KU.S. Forest Service
Regional
Catastrophic
Preparedness
Grant Program
$1M
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
Safe Streets and
Roads for All
$1.3M
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Smart Surfaces Coalition
$10MNational League of Cities
(technical assistance)
Compound Flood Model
& Real-Time Forecasting
The Office of Resilience is working with a
team of experts to develop a compound flood
model to measure the combined impacts of
coastal surge, tidal fluctuations, riverine flooding,
and inland stormwater flooding. The model will provide
Jacksonville with the most advanced flood data in the
country, identify the most flood-prone areas of the city,
and guide project development.
• The compound flood model will run 10,000 probabilistic
flood scenarios, which incorporate current conditions and
future projections based on the best available science.
• The model will inform a real-time forecasting system
that can anticipate where flooding is likely to occur in
advance of a storm and guide emergency response
and evacuations.
Land Development Regulation Update
The Office of Resilience is working with the Planning
Department to update the City’s land development
regulations to incorporate resilience. The update is aimed at
encouraging development in areas of the city that are most
prepared to accommodate our growing population safely.
Resilient development is a crucial step towards reducing
future vulnerability to flooding and other hazards.
• The updated regulations will incentivize smart and
climate-adaptive development in areas of the city
with lower risk of flooding and where multi-modal
transportation options are available.
• The project is supported by a team of consultants and
an advisory group made up of developers, development
attorneys, engineers, affordable housing, community
and environmental advocates.
Urban Forestry Management Plan
The Office of Resilience is leading the development of
Jacksonville’s first Urban Forestry Management Plan to
guide the protection and expansion of Jacksonville’s tree
canopy. The plan is being developed in coordination with the
Jacksonville Tree Commission, parks and public works staff,
community stakeholders, and guided by a team of experts.
• The plan will identify new planting zones and detail
the proper management, regulation, and preservation
decisions needed to ensure the long-term success of
tree planting projects.
• The plan will help address the public health implications
of extreme heat and target tree plantings in the areas
of the city most in need of heat mitigation.
Extreme Temperature EOC Standards
The Office of Resilience is partnering with the Emergency
Preparedness Division of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue
Department to develop standards and procedures for
responding to extreme heat and freeze events. This project
will ensure a swift and coordinated response to extreme
temperature events, in much the same manner that we
respond to other threats like hurricanes.
• The project is supported by a $1M Regional
Catastrophic Preparedness Grant from FEMA.
• The procedures developed will guide the activation
of the Emergency Operation Center for a coordinated
city-wide response to extreme temperature events.
KEY PROJECTS
1 Guide future growth in areas that are at low risk and well-connected to infrastructure.
1.1 Update the City's land development regulations.
1.2 Facilitate strategic infill development in areas of low flood risk.
1.3 Incorporate resilience considerations into future land use.
2 Ensure infrastructure investments are aligned with land use priorities for growth and conservation.2.1 Ensure infrastructure investments are aligned with land use priorities for growth and conservation.
5 Update public works design standards to account for climate change impacts and support resilient infrastructure development.
5.1 Align above-ground and below-ground infrastructure specifications and review process.
5.2 Update the standard details and specifications for City of Jacksonville street designs.
5.3 Incorporate green infrastructure features into drainage specifications.
6 Create connected and multimodal transportation options.
6.1 Increase public transit service and ridership.
6.2 Strengthen first and last mile connections to transit.
6.3 Increase bicycle ridership through bike share and e-bike incentives.
7 Build ecological and recreational connections across Jacksonville's parks and open spaces.
7.1 Support the continued buildout of and safe connections to the Emerald Trail System.
7.2 Support the expansion of Jacksonville’s regional trail system.
7.3 Connect open spaces and ecosystems to establish habitat corridors and improve water management.
8 Make room for the river and tributaries.
9 Develop a green infrastructure program across Jacksonville based on the best available stormwater science and data.
10 Expand Jacksonville’s tree canopy.
10.1 Plant more climate-adaptive trees to increase shade and ecosystem value.
10.2 Develop an Urban Forest Management Plan.
10.3 Improve the City’s engagement with neighborhoods on the management and expansion of
Jacksonville’s tree canopy.
11 Ensure water and energy utilities can meet the growing demands of the future.11.1 Support the implementation and regular updating of JEA’s Integrated Resource Plans.
12 Preserve ecologically important areas with the capacity to manage water and mitigate extreme heat.12.2 Support strategic land acquisition for conservation.
13 Improve land management and stewardship to enhance ecosystem value, improve public safety, and reduce wildfire risk.
13.2 Manage invasive species and nuisance animals
13.3 Manage forests to reduce wildfire risk.
14 Discourage new development in current and future high-risk areas and mitigate downstream impacts in the watershed.
15 Enhance ecosystem and community health by improving water, soil, and air quality.15.1 Improve watershed health and water quality.
16 Invest strategically in hardened shorelines.16.1 Manage publicly owned bulkhead heights in accordance with best available flood data.
17 Identify shorelines where natural and nature-based solutions can provide long-lasting ecosystem service benefits.
17.1 Conduct research and analyses to identify waterfront edges most suitable for natural and
nature-based solutions.
17.2 Address shoreline erosion in coastal parks.
18 Improve digital security of critical assets and infrastructure from cyberattacks.
19 Strengthen emergency response and evacuation plans.19.1 Routinely refine the city’s hurricane evacuation zones based on the best available data.
19.3 Create plans for extreme heat and freeze events
20 Strengthen Jacksonville’s lifelines and supply chains to withstand extended disruptions to regular operations and commerce.20.2 Maintain commerce into and out of the city through partnerships with the Port and other agencies.
21 Expand retrofit programs for residential and commercial buildings to improve building energy performance, storm fortification, cooling, and stormwater detention.
21.2 Leverage federal funding to improve community awareness of lower-cost floodproofing,
heat, and energy performance upgrades.
21.4 Explore retrofits for stormwater ponds.
22 Implement resilient standards and codes for existing and new construction.22.3 Develop design standards and guidelines for riverfront properties to accommodate flooding.
23 Maximize the resilience of City-owned buildings and assets.23.1 Conduct energy benchmarking on City buildings.
24 Invest strategically in existing parks to increase stormwater management capacity and reduce urban heat.24.1 Align resilience actions with the forthcoming Master Recreation Improvement Plan.
24.2 Create multi-beneficial park amenities with intentional stormwater retention.
25 Repurpose vacant land for uses that best support resilience goals.
26 Retrofit parking lots and impervious surfaces to reduce urban heat and increase stormwater infiltration and storage.
27 Harden vulnerable critical assets to mitigate damage from hazards and ensure continuity of operations.27.1 Fortify City-owned assets, such as evacuation roads and bridges.
27.2 Work with utilities and independent agencies to identify and fortify their vulnerable critical assets.
30 Strengthen the citywide response to extreme heat and other public health emergencies.
30.1 Expand JaxReady alert system for high heat days
30.2 Extend open hours and access to cooling infrastructure and air-conditioned public facilities during high heat days.
31 Increase mental and physical health and well-being across Jacksonville through tailored resource delivery.31.1 Support the Blue Zones Project to improve community health and wellbeing.
33 Develop, implement, and monitor plans in support of eliminating all bicycle and pedestrian deaths in Jacksonville.
33.1 Complete a Vision Zero Action Plan with a goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries among all roadway users by 2035.
33.2 Complete and update additional plans in support of the VZAP, including the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, and Mobility Plan.
34 Strengthen community cohesion in all of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods through quality public spaces, events, and activities.
35 Engage Jacksonville’s youth to guide future resilience and climate action.35.2 Incorporate resilience education and materials into Jacksonville youth programs.
38 Market Jacksonville’s resilient business climate to attract new companies and investment.
39 Address rising flood and homeowners’ insurance costs by investing in risk reduction.39.1 Maintain participation in FEMA’s CRS program to lower flood insurance premiums based on
risk reduction activities.
40 Establish an Office of Resilience to facilitate the ongoing implementation of Resilient Jacksonville.
40.1 Facilitate interdepartmental and interagency collaboration throughout City government and
with external partners.
40.2 Use the best available science and data to inform decisions.
41 Expand community knowledge and participation in resilience actions.41.1 Coordinate with local organizations, including nonprofits and philanthropy.
41.2 Coordinate public education and engagement activities.
42 Coordinate resilience actions and policies across agencies and relevant independent authorities.
43 Develop a Climate Action Plan that aligns Jacksonville’s resilience goals with actions to promote sustainability.43.1 Lead the development of a Climate Action Plan for the North Florida region through the EPA
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
44 Support regional resilience efforts.
45 Coordinate and leverage resilience investments with federal partners and resources, including military partners.45.1 Leverage federal data, tools, and other resources.
45.2 Build relationships with military and other federal partners to maximize resilience investments.
RESILIENT JACKSONVILLE ONGOING ACTIONS