Downtown Turnaround, a City Council Candidate Forum Under the Stars

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Presented by DVI
http://downtownjacksonville.org/Media/InTheNews/11-02-07/Downtown_Turnaround_a_City_Council_Candidate_Forum_Under_the_Stars.aspx


February 07, 2011

Downtown Vision, Inc. presents Downtown Turnaround, a City Council Candidate Forum Under the Stars. Learn about pertinent issues in your community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2011

Media Contact:
Pamela Elms, Downtown Vision, Inc.
P: (904) 634-0303 ext. 222
pamela@downtownjacksonville.org

Downtown Turnaround, A City Council Candidate Forum Under the Stars
Presented by: Downtown Residents and Downtown Vision, Inc.

WHAT:
Downtown Turnaround is a candid forum with the City Council candidates on what they would do to
address the issues facing Downtown. The forum will be moderated by WJXT/TV 4 Meteorologist,
Rebecca Barry.

Confirmed Downtown City Council candidates include:
Don Redman, District 4
Johnny Gaffney, District 7
Marc McCullough Sr., District 7
Warren Jones, District 9
Greg Anderson, At-Large Group 4
Juan Diaz, At-Large Group 4
Jim Robinson, At-Large Group 4
Fred Engness, At-Large Group 5
Sean Hall, At-Large Group 5
Robin Lumb, At-Large Group 5
Robin Rukab, At-Large Group 5
Michelle Tappouni, At-Large Group 5

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
6:00 p.m. â€" 8:00 p.m. Networking and Forum

WHERE:
MOSH (Museum of Science and History), 1025 Museum Circle
Bryan Gooding Planetarium - 2nd floor

COST:
No admission and open to the public. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided. Please RSVP to
cheryl@downtownjacksonville.org or (904)634-0303 ext. 221.
Reserved seating for media. Please contact pamela@downtownjacksonville.org in advance.

PARKING:
Free parking is available in the MOSH parking lot located on Riverplace Boulevard. The entrance is
between the Main Street Bridge and the museum building.

SPONSORS: Special thanks to our sponsors MOSH and Zodiac Grill.

MORE INFO: www.downtownjacksonville.org

About Downtown Vision, Inc.
Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization whose mission is to build and maintain
a healthy and vibrant Downtown community and to promote Downtown as an exciting place to live, work,
play, and visit.

Founded in 2000, DVI is dedicated to promoting the Downtown area, building a neighborhood Downtown,
serving as a one-stop shop for information on Downtown and advocating the interests of local businesses
and property owners. Downtown Vision is the only organization solely devoted to revitalizing Downtown
Jacksonville. For more information, visit downtownjacksonville.org.




DVI's position on this election

Jacksonville’s image is largely based on the condition of Downtown.  If Downtown is vibrant, Jacksonville as a region becomes more attractive to businesses, investors, visitors and an educated workforce accustomed to being in an active, urban environment.  Downtown’s success directly impacts business retention and relocation â€" creating jobs and stability for our local economy. The neglect of our Downtown is costly to taxpayers on many levels.  We believe the following tenets are both essential and attainable in the near-term and necessary to advance Downtown. 

1. Focus on the Core â€" Only by concentrating our limited public and private resources on our city’s historical and cultural core can we effectively revitalize Downtown.  History shows that dispersion of facilities, activities and funding has been detrimental to the creation of a vibrant Downtown.  Thriving downtowns have density.

2. Create a Compelling Downtown Experience â€" Improving the “fit and finish” of Downtown, and activating the streetscape with small-scale events and promotions are less expensive needs in Downtown.  Using what we have and activating existing vacant and underutilized buildings contribute to creating a compelling experience in a compact, walkable area of the core.  Most importantly, history confirms that there is no single project that will turn around Downtown.   

3. Insist on Public-Private Leverage â€" Successful downtowns typically reserve public money for projects and activities that require or encourage significant private investment.  The city needs to re-examine its policies to make sure that taxpayer funds spent on capital projects and on event programming are, where possible, used in ways that encourage private development and have a positive economic impact on existing businesses. 

4. Bold and Ambitious Leadership â€" Not only do we need individual leaders who are visionary and ambitious, we need to ensure that our efforts to create and maintain excellence continue regardless of elected leadership.  It will take strategic thinking and open and honest debate that should be welcomed to chart the best path and ensure the right series of decisions are made. 

In evaluating the success of other great cities, it is a fact that they all have vibrant downtowns.  To be a great city, Jacksonville must address the needs of Downtown.  We hope all candidates recognize the importance of Downtown to the city’s future and are up to the challenge to do what is required to achieve our potential as a great American city.

Terry Lorince, Executive Director
Downtown Vision, Inc.

[Captain Zissou]

Anybody going to this? I'm going to try to make it if time permits.

[CG7]

I just RSVP'd. It will be interesting to hear what the candidates (especially the at-large) think downtown's issues are, and what they are going to do about it. I will be paying close attention to how they answer, because I don't want people who just talk. I am looking for people who are willing to do whatever it takes to get results.

[Noone]

Just signed up.

[Captain Zissou]

I signed up, but I may have to dip out early. 

[CG7]

Just a few observations from last night's forum. It is a shame Tappouni and Hall are running against each other, both would be welcome additions to our disfunctional council. I think the biggest shame is that Redman didn't even bother to show up, I definitely had some questions for him.
On a side note, before the forum I took a peek at the renovations at Friendship Park. They just planted some beautiful palm trees between the fountain and the stone berm area. looks really good. Also if you haven't been to new Planetrium it is a huge upgrade from the old one. I think I'm going to take the family to a cosmic concert this weekend.

[Captain Zissou]

I was able to briefly attend last night.  The setting and food were fantastic.  I was able to chat with Candidate Juan Diaz, who was very informed and enthusiastic about revitalizing downtown.  I also spoke briefly with Audrey Moran, who is an absolute delight.  She was very warm and candid, which was very refreshing.  I also saw Jim Bailey, who I wish was still running, but I respect him a great deal for all that he has done.

I can't speak on the actual discussion, as I had to leave early, but the event was great.  Thank you to all that hosted it.

[CS Foltz]

I was unable to attend, but did discuss who was there and what was said with someone who did make it! No representation from District 13 was listed or attended! Not good for the District 13  voting public!

[tufsu1]

I was unable to attend, but did discuss who was there and what was said with someone who did make it! No representation from District 13 was listed or attended! Not good for the District 13  voting public!

they only invited candidates from at large districts and downtown districts.

[CityLife]

I was very impressed with Juan Diaz. I think we will have a much stronger city council with him and 1 of Hall/Tappouni.

It would be a travesty if anyone but those 3 win the at large bids in those 2 districts.

[tufsu1]

I have known Juan Diaz since I moved here 5 years ago...he's a great guy and we've sat down to talk about downtown and transportation issues several times.

Jim Robinson (running agaisnt Juan) would also be a step up from what we have now.

[CityLife]

Robinson had little to no vision for downtown and frankly doesn't even seem to care for downtown or the urban core. Look at the list of "issues" on his website. The section of "Downtown Development" should tell anyone all they need to know about him.

http://votejimrobinson.com/robinson-issues.php

[Noone]

I participated. And here's my abbreviated take going straight from the program.

1. Dist. 4 Don Redman
- Honary Board member of Downtown Vision representing the  Jacksonville city council, Also representing the Jacksonville city council on the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and also the council member who represents the primary boundary that encompasses Downtown Vision was a NO SHOW. Blank.

2. Council District 7
Johnny Gaffney- NO SHOW. Blank.
Marc McCullough,Sr.

3.At Large Group 4
Greg Anderson
Juan Diaz
Jim Robinson

Personally, I haven't made a decision on these three candidates. Time is short. Will be kayaking tomorrow under the Times Union Building on McCoys Creek if you read this and want to participate the call me. 434-0839 or my house 721-3321. I'll bring a tandem.

4. At large Group 5
Fred Engness
Sean Hall
Robin Lumb
Robin Rukab
Michelle Tappouni

In this race for me its a slam dunk with Michelle Tappouni. I'm running up and down with high fives.

The three pointer that put the game away for me was the opening presentations that were moderated by Rebecca Berry of WJXT/TV4 and every candidate opened with an opening statement and Michelle Tappouni went last and pointed out that none of the previous candidates in their opening remarks mentioned that one of the most important elements of our Downtown is the River. Her statement was met with resounding applause.

VOTE FOR TAPPOUNI for the AT-Large Group 5     

[scottwilson]

Redman never agreed to attend. He was meeting with JSO in one of the Southside neighborhoods. If you all have questions for Redman please let me know.

Scott A. Wilson
Assistant to Don Redman
Jacksonville City Council
District Four
904-630-1394

[Noone]

Scott that is so weak. Reschedule with JSO. No big deal. This was Downtown Vision and it was attended by other Board members of Downtown Vision and Gaffney was a no-show too. But Don is the city council representative and of the 19 council members he is the one that is supposed to hear the concerns and then can introduce legislation on behalf of the Downtown Vision stakeholders that will hopefully move our city forward and not backward.

Fortunately councilman Warren Jones was there and he will ask councilman Gaffney about the 680'Promised Downtown Public Pier. Why haven't you done anything? The Public Trust continues to be totally destroyed in this community. Do something! Councilwoman Jenkins did and the OFWB wasn't in her district.