It is Time to Dissolve or Restructure DVI

[spidey]

If the constitutional amendment passes at the state level, the Mayor has been quoted as saying that drastic measures would have to be taken at the local level due to the severe cuts in monies from property taxes that would be available to make up the City's budget.

I just don't see how DVI, or even many of the non-profits, will survive another round of cuts....unless it can be shown that they are essential services.  We've already seen the city encouraging public/private partnerships....most recently the Tony Boselli/Simonds Johnson Park project.

Probably the best that can be hoped for if the constitutional amendment passes is that the downtown businesses step up to the plate and form a public/private partnership.  One good thing that could come out of that is that the downtown businesses would have more say in DVI, its mission, and its services.  So even if it doesn't pass, the downtown business owners may want to consider such a partnership regardless.

[spidey]

I was under the impression that the City also budgeted some matching monies to supplement the business owners funding of the BID....and that's how the tax cuts could affect the City, and subsequently DVI.   

I didn't see anything in the proposed constitutional amendment that looked like it would affect BIDs.  However, you might want to contact someone in the Vote Yes on Amendment 1 office to get some peace of mind on the issue....here's the link with a form you can fill out with your question.  http://www.yeson1florida.com/contact.php  They also have a phone number listed on the form.

[spidey]

I checked City Council legislation, Stephen.  The City is providing money to DVI to the tune of about $300,000 in 2005, with the City determining the appropriate funding amount in each of the next 6 years.

In 2005, a little over a quarter of a million dollars was budgeted by the City to go to community enhancements; $50,000 was budgeted to go to certain marketing services.

The legislation was passed in 2005.  Here's a link to the ordinance:

http://citycirc.coj.net/coj/COJbillDetail.asp?F=2005-0785\Current%20Text

[DetroitInJAX]

I just had a quick question.. Does the DVI get any private funds or donations?  And what exactly is it that they do?

Why not restructure it into something like the Downtown Detroit Partnership

http://www.downtowndetroit.org

They sponsor things like this:

The NEXT Detroit: Clean Downtown initiative has been launched to help keep downtown Detroit clean and inviting.  The project aims to maintain a “Super Bowl quality” downtown environment for the city of Detroit.

The program will provide daily cleanup in an area bounded by Jefferson, Adams, Beaubien, and Cass.  A crew of nearly forty uniformed workers from Goodwill Industries will clean streets from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and for four hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays.  Their duties will include sweeping and power-washing sidewalks, clearing trash and removing graffiti.

Six trucks loaned by the Penske Corporation are outfitted with power washing equipment and will carry various tools such as brooms, rakes and shovels.  These trucks will also be used to deploy workers and will allow them to perform their jobs conveniently and efficiently.  Three street sweeper machines will be used as part of the program.

The project, which is funded by the private sector and foundations, has a budget of $1.2 million for the balance of 2006, and $1.5 million for 2007.

They managed to scrape together over 1 million dollars a year for TWO years running, just to CLEAN UP DOWNTOWN DETROIT.



Do we even have anything like this?

http://www.degc.org  -- The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

This site is the place to start if you’re interested in doing development in Detroit, locating your business here, or being part of the revitalization. Feel free to explore our site to discover the wealth of opportunity that exists in Detroit. Some of the resources we provide are maps of downtown Detroit and the surrounding region, new project RFPs, information about available financing and incentives, and a listing of currently available sites & buildings. Please contact us for more information and to find out what the DEGC can do for you.

Even as the economy in Michigan continues to crumble, with the highest unemployment in the nation, Downtown Detroit is gaining business, not losing it.  Downtown has scored a renovated Sheraton Detroit Ponchartrain (The old Crowne Plaza Ponchartrain),  A new headquarters building for Quicken Loans (that was stolen, I repeat, STOLEN, from a SUBURBAN DETROIT location).. Yes, can you believe it?  A company moved from Suburbia to Downtown.  A returned Grand Prix race circuit on Belle Isle, and a recently announced $150,000,000 complex called Cadillac Centre, right in the heart of downtown, financed SOLELY by private money!

So, now that I firmly believe that Jacksonville is light years behind, and in the shadow of, the United States' "most dangerous" city, I must ask again, what in the hell does DVI do besides have a pretty website? 

[thelakelander]

new project RFPs, information about available financing and incentives, and a listing of currently available sites & buildings.

This would be a nice thing to have that doesn't make much, if any, money to pull together.  A while back there was a discussion of running downtown like a mall.  We'll if I want to contact Ben Carter to lease space at SJTC, I could have this information emailed to me in no time with leasing rates listed for the available spaces.  At a minimum DVI or any merchant's association should be able to pull this off.  This alone will make it much easier to keep and recruit businesses to downtown.

[thelakelander]

Maybe they fear what will happen if they don't meet them?

[thelakelander]

or bring in fresh blood.....

[02roadking]

 
Downtown Vision Inkspots
A Monthly Update on Downtown Vision & Downtown Jacksonville  January 31, 2008

In This Issue

Downtown Vision 2007 Annual Report
Light Up Downtown
Are You Part of the HITZ Program?
Get a Deal on Downtown Parking!
Downtown Vision Staff Changes
Dalton Agency Relocates to Larger Downtown Space
Congratulations to Downtown Award Winners
Taking out the Trash
Retail News
Art in the HeART of Downtown
Upcoming Downtown Meetings

This message from Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) is intended to provide you with interesting and helpful information on activities occurring in Downtown Jacksonville. Filled with the latest updates on Downtown trends and issues, we hope our Downtown stakeholders, employees and residents find the information useful. Please feel free to forward this message to others who may be interested in Downtown's ongoing revitalization, or click here to subscribe.


Downtown Vision 2007 Annual Report     http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/pdf/Annual%20Report_v4.pdf



The past year has been a busy one for Downtown Vision. Our top accomplishments include reorganizing our staff to be more accountable to our Downtown stakeholders, refocusing our Downtown Ambassador program to address increased nuisance activity Downtown, and creating activities and events to bring more people Downtown. We are pleased to be an advocate for Downtown businesses, property owners, stakeholders and residents, and serve as the "go-to" organization for information on all things Downtown.

Please click here for a full copy of our 2007 Annual Report. We look forward to working with you this year as we continue to build Downtown Jacksonville into a vibrant and exciting neighborhood.



Light Up Downtown



Downtown Vision recently conducted an evening walk with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, Public Works, JEA and Downtown stakeholders to examine lighting levels in the core of Downtown. During the next few months, we will be conducting a Phase I lighting assessment on major pedestrian streets in the Downtown core, and making recommendations to improve both public and private lighting on poorly-lit streets and properties.

As part of this program, we will also be approaching individual property owners about improving lighting along building facades and in entryways.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact our Executive Director, Terry Lorince, at (904) 634-0303 x 223, or via email.


Are You Part of the HITZ Program?



Downtown Vision, in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, and Downtown property owners, is working to reduce chronic trespassing through the High Intensity Trespassing Zone (HITZ) program. The program requires community involvement and utilizes existing laws to minimize trespassing by allowing JSO to enforce trespassing laws in a property or business owner's absence.

To date, more than 50 properties are participating in the program, with demonstrable success. Our goal is to have 100% participation in the program by Downtown property owners and street level businesses.

If you would like more information on this program, please contact our Director of District Services, Amy Harrell, at (904) 634-0303 x 224 or via email.


Get a Deal on Downtown Parking!



Looking for inexpensive hourly or daily parking in Downtown for your customers or for yourself? Metropolitan Parking Solutions has announced the following Downtown parking deals:

Downtown Garage (entrance on Clay St. between Forsyth St. and Adams St.)
Rates: $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $5. First hour of parking is free. Enter before 9:00 a.m. and stay until 2:00 p.m. for the early bird special rate of $3 for the day.

Jacksonville Landing Parking Lot (entrance on Independent Dr., east of The Jacksonville Landing)
Rates: $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10 on Monday-Friday if you enter between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum if you enter after 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday or on weekends or holidays.

Sports Complex Garage (Located on Duval St. near A. Philip Randolph Blvd.)
Rates: $.50 all day parking Monday-Friday during hours of trolley operation)


Downtown Vision Staff Changes



It is with regret that we announce that two of our staff will be leaving us in February. Both Debbie Gierke, our Director of Finance & Human Resources, and Liz Byrd, our Ambassador Program Manager, have accepted positions with other companies. We appreciate their dedication and wish them well!

We are seeking to hire replacements for both positions, which are posted in detail at www.jaxjobs.com. Please direct resumes for the Office Manager position to Debbie Gierke, and resumes for the Ambassador Program Manager position to Amy Harrell.


Dalton Agency Relocates to Larger Downtown Space



More than 70 Dalton Agency employees started the new year in their new Downtown digs, located at 140 W. Monroe St., across the street from Hemming Plaza. The agency, which purchased the building last year, is in the final stage of renovations to this key Downtown building.

Welcome to the Northbank of Downtown!


Congratulations to Downtown Award Winners



Downtown restaurants topped the list in Jacksonville Magazine's "The Best of Jacksonville" December issue.

Best View - Ruth's Chris Steak House
Best Bar - Morton's, The Steakhouse
Best Courthouse Lunch Special - Plaza III, The Steakhouse
Best Happy Hour - The Twisted Martini
Best Outdoor Dining - River City Brewing Company

Jacksonville Magazine's Top 25 Restaurants included three Downtown favorites:

bb's
River City Brewing Company
Wine Cellar

Jacksonville Magazine's January issue touted the philanthropic contributions of the top 25 Companies that Care for 2008. The following companies have locations in Downtown Jacksonville:

Bank of America
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Burdette Ketchum
CSX Corporation
Fidelity National
JEA
Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Prudential Financial
Wachovia Bank
Winn-Dixie Stores


Taking out the Trash



Special thanks to eight volunteers from First United Methodist Church who volunteered to help us clean up Downtown! Volunteers spend a couple of hours each month picking up litter in Downtown. In January, the group removed more than 18 bags of litter from a vacant Downtown lot.


Retail News



Downtown Vision would like to welcome Downtown's newest retailers!

AMG Uptown Salon
525 W. Bay St.
904.356.1081

Two shops in one location! A salon on one side and a barber shop on the other. The full-service salon includes hair cuts, color, nails, and much more.

Jax City Café
100 E. Forsyth St.
904.633.9028

Formerly known as Jax City Subs, Jax City Café presents an expanded menu offering with a French flair! In addition to the classic subs, the cafe menu includes fresh baked croissants, pastries, and paninis.

Lucky's Classic Cuts
31 W. Adams St.
904.798.8529

The new owners of the shop in The Carling have redecorated and re-opened the shop for all hairstyles and offer waxing and brow shaping.

Ortho Shoe Service
223 N. Hogan St.
904.301.1424

An experienced therapeutic shoe fitter offering specialized shoe inserts and devices to alleviate foot pain. Services include individual shoe modification and corrections and general shoe repair service.

Sake House
1478 Riverplace Blvd., located in San Marco Place
904.306.2188

A culinary delight serving up sushi and hibachi grilled meals. It's just one more fabulous reason to dine Downtown.

Now Delivering!

Quizno's Subs
224 N. Hogan St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904.798.8889
www.quiznos.com

Looking for a great lunch delivered to your desk? Order in from Quizno's! Quizno's is now delivering from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Quizno's will deliver any order over $8, with a $2 delivery charge.


Art in the HeART of Downtown



Highlights for the February Art Walk include:
· London Bridge Pub, Poppy Love Smoke and Legit Recording Studios are throwing an old-fashioned block party at Ocean and Adams Streets. Funky original artwork will be on display.

· Gold's Gym is hosting the Clara White Mission's drive for toiletry items. Participating patrons receive a free ticket to the Jacksonville Home and Patio Show. Art on display includes body sculptures, photography and oil paintings.

· Hemming Plaza will be filled with art and antique cars that will be at the upcoming Jacksonville International Car and Truck Show.

· Residences at City Place will showcase acrylics on canvas by Gala Dugan with refreshments provided by City Place Café. Decorated models will be open for viewing.


Upcoming Downtown Meetings



Mark your calendars for the following Downtown meetings:

Downtown Retail Meeting
Date: February 18, 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ed Ball Building (214 N. Hogan St.)
Room: First Floor Training Room (located next to the escalators at the Adams St. entrance)
Topic: Make your business more efficient and successful! The UNF Small Business Development Center will be presenting an overview of available services to retailers and restaurants, including accounting, finance, hiring, supply management, and more!

Downtown Stakeholder Meeting with Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC)
Date: February 27, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Ed Ball Building (214 N. Hogan St.)
Room: First Floor Training Room (located next to the escalators at the Adams St. entrance)
Topic: Overview of the JEDC Downtown Action Plan
Speaker: Ron Barton, Executive Director, JEDC

If you are interested in attending any of these meetings, please RSVP to our Director of District Services, Amy Harrell, at (904) 634-0303 x 224 or via email.




If you're surfing the web for information about Downtown, look no further than the Downtown website. Our website includes comprehensive information on Downtown parking, dining, events, living and much more!

Downtown Vision, Inc. is Downtown Jacksonville's neighborhood improvement and advocacy organization.

Downtown Vision, Inc.
email: info@downtownjacksonville.org
phone: (904) 634.0303
web: http://www.DowntownJacksonville.org 

[tufsu1]

and how many others have opened or are opening soon?

[Steve]

Mark's/DiveBar/TSI have opened at night, when the metermaids have gone home, and aren't there to bother patrons, and have done fairly well.

Chew has opened as well, and the owner has openly told me that none of the city organizations have been any help whatsoever, and he has quickly learned that the best way to operate is to assume zero assistance from them.

La Cena has opened as well (2001), and if it weren't for Jerry Moran spending his days fighting for things and fighting with DVI and the City, he would probably be closed.

Burrito Gallery has done well, maily because of a heavy lunch rush and nightime stuff.  It also helps that the principals of the project are fairly well versed in the ins and out of the city red tape.

London Bridge got it's start in 2002 from the 11E crowd, and if it weren't for that, I don't know if it would have survived.

Casa Dora on Forsyth does a great Lunch Business, and does well at night during Florida Theatre Events (remember that connectivity thing we've been talking about for over two years).

As far as sit down restaraunts not attached to the Landing or a Hotel, I think I've covered them all.

I don't cound anything that is "opening soon".  If I were to count planned stuff, I'd be wondering what the tenants of Kuhn's Riverwatch would be hanging in their windows or what the courthouse would look like at lunchtime.

[mawipafl]

I might be considered the perfect type of person to have stumbled upon this thread ... many of my head scratchin' questions have been answered.

I'm relatively new to the area (moved from northeast PA in July), and I've been thrilled that access to downtown is so easy for me.  Most of my trips have been to high-profile events such as the Art Walks, the fireworks after Thanksgiving, Prime Osborn, Times-Union performances, Gator Bowl parade, etc.  Love these things, love mingling with the crowds, love the vibrance of urban life --- except I found it doesn't exist if there's no highly attended event!  I got "smacked" when I came into the city just before Christmas on a Saturday with the intent to shop -- had my mouth watering for a tidbit from the Shugar Shack as just one of my destinations.  Drove into downtown and thought it odd that my car was basically the only one on Forsyth.  Easily found a place to park on Adams.  Walked to the Shugar Shack and it, like just about everything else, was closed up tighter than a drum!  Our downtown shopping 'experience' was relegated to the few shops at the Landing where we mingled with a mere handful of other shoppers.

What the heck??!!

I had also noticed that the only Christmas decorations to be found downtown were the tree displays inside the library.  Even the teeny tiny town I came from in PA had street decorations, but Jacksonville had none??!?  Oh wait, I did see the tree at the Landing.

I've driven downtown many, many times, but I'm still learning the lay of the land.  I don't mind one-way streets, but for some reason I just can't seem to remember what streets go which way except for Forsyth and Bay and Ocean and Main.  I still have to pay strict attention while traveling along Forsyth because one of the traffic lights is not an overhead one, and I almost go through it every single time since all the others are thankfully in-my-face.  As for finding the Landing or the Times-Union from Forsyth, well, the little purple signs are lost on me.

Ambassadors in orange shirts?  Never seen them.

As I meet more and more people here in NEFL I find that I've been into downtown more in the past seven months than some long-time residents.  I don't understand that - well, I didn't until I read the seven pages of this thread and learned about the parking nazis, the panhandlers, the lack of communication, lots of talk from city hall and the likes but no action on their parts, etc etc etc.

Jacksonville is a beautiful city and really has so much to offer.  I marvel at how easy it is for me to get there - a 30-minute straight shot up Rt. 17 ... does anyone realize the aggravations and frustrations of those who drive into Philly or Boston or Atlanta or NYC?  Granted, Jacksonville is not a clone of these cities, nor should it ever be in my book, but it is a city that should not roll up its sidewalks at 6 pm when the business crowd goes home.

I'm still learning the ins and outs of the politics here -- ooowweeee.  Just this thread alone made my head spin --- but I'm very glad to be dizzy because I've learned so much.

And I'm beginning to ask some questions.  Such as: who was responsible for making the Shugar Shack close its doors during this week's Art Walk?  Rumor is that the paperwork and liabilities to be an official Walk participant is too difficult or restricting or ??  I also noticed there were far less vendors in Hemming Plaza this time.  Is the Art Walk heading in a not-so-nice direction?

[thelakelander]

I'm still lost as to why a downtown business should have to close its doors during Art Walk if they are not an official participant.  Imo, taking advantage of the foot traffic on the sidewalks is twice as much important as being on DVI's glossy postcard map.  If it were me, I'd have my shop open, displays in the window and be offering free samples of my product to get people inside my doors and exposed to my merchandise.  Map or no map.

[fsujax]

I don't see why the Shugar Shack would have been closed during Art Walk, she is usually open.  I agree with the Christmas decorations and the whole Downtown experience at Christmas. At a time when Downtown should be lit up and at least look vibrant, our City does its best to make it look as dead as possible, except for the fireworks at Thanksgiving. I did call the City and complained about not having any decorations up this year.  More people should make their voices heard on this subject, or Downtown will look the same this year at Christmas.

[Lunican]

Sounds like a good initiative for First Baptist.

[fsujax]

what about the other Downtown churches?? FBC had decorations up.