DIA's Don Shea Leaving Jacksonville

[simms3]

It does seem like an awful lot of people have left recently.  Then there are those business leaders who reside in the city, but don't necessarily take much part in trying to better it (and there are those who do put their money where their mouth is).

[tufsu1]

people leaving often means more opportunity for new leadership...Nathaniel Ford at JTA is a perfect example

[fsujax]

Ford is a breath of fresh air. Hoping for positive things to come.

[Ocklawaha]

Be quite nice if we could stack that election in favor of CHANGE! Imagine bringing in a whole host of new 'Nathaniel Fords.' Could be that 'Happy Day's are here again.'

[dougskiles]

Don will be missed for sure.  I don't know that he is leaving so much to get away from Jacksonville as he is to return to the city he loves.

He was a master of one liners, and someone I considered to be a trusted friend.

[dougskiles]

If I remember correctly, something along the lines of breweries don't stimulate economic development/vibrancy or something like that. I believe he was against the city giving incentives or discounting the Shipyards land for the project.

Don just sent me an email asking to clarify the issue with Intuition Ale Works.

I truly do recognise the desirability of locating IAW downtown, and The Shipyards would be a can't miss spot for them. I support that idea. On the other hand, from a public policy point of view I am strongly opposed to taking an irreplaceable and perhaps priceless waterfront site of 35 acres (more or less), and chopping it up into 3-4 acre postage stamp lots going on a first-come, first-served basis. It would end up looking like Marrakech. That would be more of the same sort of opportunistic land planning that has occurred over so many years in Jacksonville. Feels right on the surface, but results in reverse synergy....the whole becomes less than the sum of the parts.

As a matter of fact, without breaking any confidentiality, there is a very thoughtful mixed-use proposal being crafted by a bona fide developer who identifies up to three free-standing restaurant/retail sites as part of his plan. When I was originally briefed about that concept, I suggested that a conversation be started with IAW to bring that project into the mix, and am happy to report that those talks are underway. At least they were underway prior to my departure, but I'm a little out of the loop by now so can't verify if they are current.

So, it's really incorrect as some of the posts indicate that I oppose IAW downtown. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

[Debbie Thompson]

Doug, that development sounds awesome.  Fingers crossed.

[Tacachale]

^That was more or less my feeling about IAW at the Shipyards site as well. Though I'm really bummed they haven't been proactive in finding another site for them downtown.

[mbwright]

isn't the library up for sale?  might be a fun place.