In the National Spotlight
accolades, culture, real estate,
Hurray for … us.
Accolades for Jacksonville-Onslow County continue to roll in from a variety of different sources, including some nationally based honors.
One of them recently came from Zillow.com, a real estate Web site that has ranked Jacksonville first in the United States for home-value appreciation.
That lofty ranking from Zillow.com was gathered from a monitored pool of 163 metropolitan statistical areas for the first three quarters of 2008.
In addition, Jacksonville has been designated a Fit Community by Fit Together, a statewide initiative of Blue Cross and Blue Shield and North Carolina, and the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund. Fit Together is a program organized to fight the ever-present problem of obesity across the state.
Jacksonville – as well as the nearby towns of Tarboro and Black Mountain – was recognized for its efforts in promoting healthy eating habits, physical activity and tobacco-free living.
Jacksonville also was commended for adopting an 80-mile trail and greenway plan, plus it recently completed a rail-trail link between downtown and Camp Lejeune for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating.
Jacksonville officials say the city now stands out among other communities for its efforts to improve the quality of life among all residents.
The city also has encouraged active lifestyles with sidewalks requirements for all new residential construction developments, a public transit system, various neighborhood parks and a number of organized outdoor recreation activities throughout the city.
And there’s one more accolade: In 2008, HNTB North Carolina received an engineering excellence award in the Structures and Bridges category for its work on a Rails-to-Trails bridge over Lejeune Boulevard.
Story by Kevin Litwin
