Downtown Investment Agency Approved

[comncense]

From Jax Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2012/08/15/with-dia-approved-city-will-issue-rfp.html

The Jacksonville City Council on Wednesday approved legislation to create the Downtown Investment Authority, an independent entity that will have the authority to negotiate Downtown development deals.
The DIA will consist of nine members â€" five nominated by Mayor Alvin Brown and four nominated by the city council president â€" and an executive director. Concurrent with the nomination process, the city will put out a request for proposals seeking planning consultants to help form a strategic plan for Downtown.
“We don’t know how long it’s going to take to seat the board, so we don’t know which will come first,” said Don Shea, executive director of the Jacksonville Civic Council. “But simultaneously we, we meaning the Office of Economic Development and I, will develop this RFP to seek planning proposals, starting immediately, for however long it takes.”
Shea is also a public policy adviser to the city, specializing in Downtown development.
He said he hopes the board will be seated by Oct. 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
The DIA will likely have a budget of close to $2 million, Shea said, as that money is already allocated in the mayor’s proposed budget, under the Office of Economic Development.
The civic council’s original proposal had called for a $29 million budget.
“It’s enough to start,” Shea said. “But you know, Downtown has many needs, and to the extent that we’re limited by budget, we’re going to have to be very prudent in how we approach prioritizing those needs.
“There are a number of projects out there that have been languishing for some time for lack of a good advocate and that includes the Laura Street Trio, the Haydon Burns library renovation. The Shipyards site’s got to be evaluated in the context of the greater good rather than a piecemeal approach. So there’s lots and lots of things on the agenda.”

[Tacachale]

...and lo, that's three disasters in one day. COJ's really leaning into it.

[thelakelander]

We don't need a real budget to modify some of the policies negatively impacting downtown.  We can also find ways to better expose existing businesses to the street with little money.  These are simple cost effective methods to get moving with a limited budget.

[duvaldude08]

We don't need a real budget to modify some of the policies negatively impacting downtown.  We can also find ways to better expose existing businesses to the street with little money.  These are simple cost effective methods to get moving with a limited budget.

You're right! Theres alot of things that dont cost any money, that can be fixed. Actually, the small things in our downtown, such as policies, is the root of the problem.

[Noone]

^+2

Today at Waterways was a wake up call again that we are still so lost and need to find FIND. Street level? How about River level? Has it been reported and shown on any news organization the Riverwalk that is being connected at Berkman to Bay St. Next to Shipyards III?

So who wants to kayak and fish under the brand new no fishing signs that was never before Waterways?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.