A troubled Eastside apartment complex is set to be demolished, paving the way for 130 affordable senior apartments as Jacksonville redevelops the longtime property.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A longtime Eastside apartment complex with a troubled history is coming down, making way for a new affordable housing community for seniors.

The Jacksonville Housing Authority plans to demolish the former Franklin Arms Apartments, now Downtown East Apartments, at 888 Franklin St. The four-story building will be replaced with about 130 affordable apartments for people 55 and older as part of a roughly $50 million redevelopment.



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For longtime residents, the demolition marks another change in a neighborhood that has evolved over decades.

“Kind of sad to see it go,” said Leroy Perry Jr., who grew up across the street and has watched the Eastside change for nearly 70 years.

“That wasn’t always like what it turned out to be. A lot of killing was going on over there,” Perry said.

The property became known for crime, drug dealing and building code violations. The city declared it a public nuisance in 2022 after documenting shootings, burglaries and other crimes at the address.

JHA bought the property for $8 million in November 2023, initially planning to renovate the 98-unit building. Rising construction costs eventually led the agency to pursue demolition and new construction.

The project, being developed with Paces Preservation Partners, is expected to cost about $50 million. The city approved up to $1 million to help with demolition and environmental remediation. Interior demolition has begun, with the site expected to be cleared by mid-December.

Annette Pryor, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, remembers when the apartments were occupied.

“I remember when it was, um, people were living in it, and it was nice, and then it started getting the drugs and everything,” Pryor said.

Still, she said the Eastside’s changes aren’t all negative.

“I’ve seen the changes and a lot of it’s good. I mean, we have got a lot of good things happening now,” Pryor said.

Pryor said redevelopment is also creating challenges for longtime, lower-income residents.

“A lot of people are income-based in this area … and it’s a lot of stuff happening and it’s pushing a lot of them out,” she said.

The new development is expected to feature a fitness center, movie theater, sunroom, business center, green space and other amenities.

For Pryor, the senior housing is especially important.

“I think it’s awesome because we have a lot of seniors that’s displaced that need a place to stay on a fixed income, of course,” she said.

If fully funded, construction is expected to begin in 2027 and take about 18 to 24 months.

“I see the change and a lot of it is good. We have a lot of good things down here now,” Pryor said.