Mayor Alvin Brown wants to change JEDC this month

[thelakelander]

I guess this is the mayoral administration's first move for downtown?

After the Legislature opened the door for changes to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, Mayor Alvin Brown said he wants to have a plan before the City Council by the end of March.
Changing the JEDC into a downtown-focused group and subsuming broader economic development activity into his office has been an aim of Brown's since his election.

The former JEDC will focus its attention on downtown, a major theme of Brown's during election.
"Sixteen months from now there'll be more people downtown, there'll be businesses expanding downtown," he said Friday. "Downtown will be a good investment."

full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-03-12/story/mayor-alvin-brown-wants-change-jacksonville-economic-development

[tufsu1]

quite impressive, isn't it?

[fsujax]

I wonder if there will be any staffing changes? They still haven't replaced Ron Barton.

[thelakelander]

quite impressive, isn't it?

If the right people aren't hired for this thing, then none of it really matters.  Downtown's underlying issues are still the same.  They can be addressed with a dedicated agency like proposed or not.  I'm taking a wait and see position on this one.

[Tacachale]

^Correct, and staffing seems to be a weak point for the administration. I like where Brown's head is, but I want to see some results, and I'm pretty unimpressed with all his firings.

[Charles Hunter]

^Correct, and staffing seems to be a weak point for the administration. I like where Brown's head is, but I want to see some results, and I'm pretty unimpressed with all his firings.

or hirings ... Jim Robinson for Public Works Director - really?!