The small homes and shared communal spaces of Jacksonville’s signature bungalow courts are the very picture of what’s often dubbed “new urbanism.” But unlike idealized retro developments, these vintage communities are true vestiges of the past, and in need of significant investment and restoration. The remaining 24 colorful bungalows of Oneida Court are the largest single relic of the once-thriving Black community of West Lewisville. The owner has tried, mostly without success, to get government backing to help return the properties to habitable, affordable housing. This year’s state budget is an inflection point. We sit down with the owner and a local historian to discuss the past and the future of the historic neighborhood.

Guests:

• Spencer Fletcher, owner of Oneida Bungalow Court
• Tim Gilmore, author, educator and historian at JaxPsychoGeo

Exit interview

Nearly eight years after he took the top job at WJCT Public Media, President and CEO David McGowan bids the station farewell. His departure comes at a dynamic time in journalism in general, and public media in particular. We ask McGowan about his tenure at the station, including how he charted a course through the COVID pandemic and why he prioritized the local digital journalism initiative Jacksonville Today. We also get an update on how the station is responding to the funding changes that followed a cessation of all state and federal funding.

Guest: David McGowan, president and CEO of WJCT Public Media

Charter school

Jacksonville University President Tim Cost started a tradition in 2012, turning the annual Charter Day commemoration of the school’s founding into a campus-wide day of service. Since then, volunteers have spent 36,000 hours volunteering with established nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society and the Ronald McDonald House, as well as with groups supporting veterans, the environment, cancer patients and youth. As Cost prepares to transition to the role of chancellor on July 1, he joins us to discuss what’s planned for the school's 14th annual Charter Day of Service.

Guests:

• Jacksonville University President Tim Cost 
• Jack Kukis, Jacksonville University graduating senior