Tony Allegretti, JAX Chamber Downtown Engagement director
Jim Bailey, publisher of the Financial News & Daily Record
Oliver Barakat, CB Richard Ellis senior vice president
Don Shea, Jacksonville Civic Council executive director
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537394
That is a solid "A" group. But I am holding breath to see who Mayor Brown will select. His administration is not exactly running smoothly and I worry that he will pick people who have no business being hold those positions.
We'll find in a few minutes. His press conference to announce his picks is at 3pm.
Here's the Mayor's five:
Melody S. Bishop â€" An architect with Akel Logan & Shafer who serves on the A1A Florida Board of Directors and the Florida Foundation for Architecture Board of Trustees. Her firm is located in the Downtown area.
Robert M. Clements â€" Chairman and CEO of EverBank, which recently relocated 1,500 employees to the new EverBank Center in Downtown.
Kamaria (Kay) Harper â€" A practicing attorney with the Harper Law Firm and a Downtown resident.
Donald Harris â€" General Manager of the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel, which is located on the Southbank.
Paul Perez â€" Former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and current Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity National Financial, which is located in the Downtown area.
I actually think the selection of Melody to the DIA may be the strongest. She knows her stuff. I'm more concerned about the about some of the other names on the Mayor's list. I assume the DIA board is supposed to be something like the watchdogs for the revitalization of downtown? For example, will they understand that if a convention center is built, why it would be critical that the project properly meet the street and be mixed-use? Will they truly understand the importance of streetcars, simply clustering a mix of uses around existing skyway stations or why its critical to establish strong mass transit connectivity between DT and surrounding neighborhoods as a top priority? Will they be easily accepting of nationwide urban trends and demographics that may be considered radical in Jacksonville?
Quote from: thelakelander on August 31, 2012, 04:28:30 PM
For example, will they understand that if a convention center is built, why it would be critical that the project properly meet the street and be mixed-use?
Quote
Will they truly understand the importance of streetcars, simply clustering a mix of uses around existing skyway stations or why its critical to establish strong mass transit connectivity between DT and surrounding neighborhoods as a top priority?
Quote
Will they be easily accepting of nationwide urban trends and demographics that may be considered radical in Jacksonville?
These are great questions that you ask.
I like the list of nominated members. I don't know all of them but the ones I do know are good people who I believe have good intentions for Downtown. I am optimistic that they will be receptive to good ideas.
About time. Now let's see some action.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 31, 2012, 04:28:30 PM
For example, will they understand that if a convention center is built, why it would be critical that the project properly meet the street and be mixed-use?
Having seen this administration in 'inaction,' probably not.
QuoteWill they truly understand the importance of streetcars, simply clustering a mix of uses around existing skyway stations or why its critical to establish strong mass transit connectivity between DT and surrounding neighborhoods as a top priority?
Bishop doesn't think surface transportation is important enough to worry that the so-called JRTC might have a 'bus station' element 7 walking blocks from train side. "Ah well, I wouldn't worry about it, we can give Greyhound, it's just Greyhound."
Hum?
QuoteWill they be easily accepting of nationwide urban trends and demographics that may be considered radical in Jacksonville?
For those that actually know there is life north of the St. Mary's River, its doubtful; they'd all have to quit pocket-pissing to do that.
Isn't Bill Bishop the councilman who basically put the breaks on JTA's request to have the city give them three additional blocks for the transportation center? If it were not for him, they'd probably already have that poorly located Greyhound station under construction. Also, Ock, it was Melody along with us, who kept pointing out the need to redesign the JRTC while we still have the chance to get it right.
Good to see cronyism / GOB network is obviously alive and well. Like there was much doubt.