QuoteBy Christopher Hong
Control over downtown development was handed to the Downtown Investment Authority on Tuesday, although the independent body won't have much money to dole out in its first year.
City Council voted 17-1, with Councilman Matt Schellenberg voting no, to adopt the Downtown Investment Authority's long-range plan to develop downtown and allow it to independently fund projects included in that plan.
QuoteIn its first year, the authority plans to undertake some smaller-scale projects, like installing public art and bike racks, providing free wireless Internet throughout downtown and converting one-way streets into two-way streets.
Costs or specific plans haven't been determined for some of its larger-scale proposed projects, which include bringing more residents downtown and creating an open view from Laura Street to the river.
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-02-10/story/council-hands-control-downtown-investment-authority-25-million-budget-pursue
QuoteCity Council approves Downtown plan, opening door for $20 million in projects
Timothy Gibbons
City Council has signed off on the Downtown Investment Authority's plan for the urban core, giving the authority — which was created more than two years ago — control over Downtown development.
On a 16-1 vote, the council approved the Downtown Northbank and Southside Community Redevelopment Area plan, which allows the authority to use tax money from those areas to fund projects.
The plans are required by state law and were also mandated by the legislation that created the DIA.
The plan includes things that the DIA has already started taking action on, like instituting a retail enhancement grant program and getting activity going in Hemming Park. It also calls for turning some one-way streets into two-way streets, increasing public art and redesigning Friendship Park.
Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/02/10/city-council-approves-downtown-plan-opening-door.html
Translation: "Here's some pocket change, now go raise the titanic..."
It has taken an entire mayoral term to create, appoint a board, hire a director get an (inadequate) budget and governing authorization for a DT redevelopment body. A body which already existed years ago as the DDA/JEDC until it was deliberately eliminated by Peyton.
And we wonder why year after year and decade after decade rolls by with so little progress.