Live blogging DIA

[Noone]

Two hours out.
I"m excited about Downtown.
I"ll be there.
I so much want to be one of the biggest cheerleaders.
Paul Astleford is a hero.

[Noone]

My hero Paul Astleford the new CEO of Visit Jacksonville was at the 10/14/13 Downtown Experience Committee meeting of the DIA that according to Board member Tony Allegretti is the (Fun) Committee of the Downtown Investment Authority. And when a meeting starts at 4pm on a Friday you want to make it Fun and the man doesn't disappoint.

So going straight from the agenda.
Members:
Tony Allegretti, Chair was SOLO, not SILO. (Remember this is the Fun Committee)
Committee members Don Harris and Mike Saylor were No Shows.

introductions

illuminate Jax- Margie Seaman and David Laffitte
Jen Jones-Unity Plaza
David Wingard- Downtown Marketing Collaborative Campaign Downtown is on Fire
Katherine Hardwick-DVI Update

Discussions

Announcements

Public Comments

Adjournment

Scott Wilson assistant to my elected legislative representative Don Redman District 4 was in the house and after our phone call I'm glad that he made the time to be a part of this growing positive movement to make Downtown a Destination and not a pass through. On the phone I mentioned to Scott if he has any clue as to the new Waterway signage that is within our new DIA zone. He didn't. Make no mistake about it we are so LOST. Next Jacksonville Waterways Commission just days out and does anyone know anything about the new Waterway signage? We all need to rally and help Scott and Don on this. Seriously.

The first person that posts a picture of the new Waterways signage on Metrojacksonville I will treat you to a meal at Chopstick Charly's. I have yet to go. I want to but I'd love to share the experience with someone. Also extra bonus points if you take a picture of this new Waterway signage at night with a flashlight. (Illuminate Jax- Margie, David, hope you guys are laughing)

Here are some clues. it is located within our new highly restricted DIA zone.
It is next to our St. johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative.
If anyone can help Scott and Don FIND this especially before the next Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting you will be making a Public Service Announcement not only to the citizens of Jacksonville but will immediately be telling Governor Scott and the world that Jacksonville is open for business.

Another highlight of the meeting came at the end and it was during Public Comment and our new CEO Aundra Wallace was there. I informed the group that I have been attending FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) meetings for 5 years. The issue Pocket Parks - Pocket Piers and for it to happen and use FIND money you need a sponsor. A Mayor, City Council Member, or in Jacksonville's new environment a DIA CEO. So after waiting a year I made a monetary presentation to the acting chair Tony Allegretti for 2009-442 The Artificial Reef Trust Fund and it ultimately ended up in the hands of Jason Gabriel. The check was made out to the city of Jacksonville. 6 artificial reefs south of the Fuller Warren bridge just screams TOURISM! more importantly it is an Ord. That was legislatively created and should be seen as a tool in the foundation of a Public, Private, Partnership in moving Jacksonville to the next level.

Another highlight of the meeting came when the meeting was over and talking with my hero Paul Astleford the new guy with Visit Jacksonville as we walked together back to his office. We walked through Hemming Plaza and the goal for the RFP on Hemming Plaza is November. But Mr. Astleford talked about the 32 Silos and some of them are definite downers and I couldn't agree with him anymore. At the meeting it was revealed that there are 1018 non profits in Jacksonville and this man has identified 32 that are hindering tourism. Not good. Ben - JCCI we were talking about you. We need to kayak Downtown before 2025.

Tides look great next week. Anyone interested in kayaking and fishing under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways?

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
it will Embrace Us

On a positive note lets all help Don and Scott FIND the new Waterway signage before the next Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting.

I'm All In.

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting today at 9:30 am city council chambers. Does anyone have a clue as to the new Downtown Waterways signage? DIA meetings today as well. Does the DIA know anything about it? Remember that OED had the DIA sign away with a Board vote millions of dollars. Not good. As for the signage has anyone contacted Don Redman the chair of Waterways?

Do we need the DIA?

Anyone going today? Will there be any news media? Will Tony Allegretti make the full Board aware of a donation that was made at the Downtown Experience Committee meeting 10/4/13 for 2009-442? The commissioners of FIND are aware of the issue. We have waited a year for this.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

[Noone]

The USS Adams is a POSITIVE benefit for not only Jacksonville but the country. They are still seeking a resolution of support from the DIA.

I say YEAH!!!!

[Noone]

DIA Board meeting today at 5pm 1st floor city hall. Has anyone seen an agenda? Highlight for me today will be the Downtown Experience Committee report and the donation that was made to 2009-442.

This is the one year Anniversary. Anyone going? Will there be any media there?

[Noone]

2 1/2 hours out. Open to the Public. One year Anniversary of our new Authority. Anyone going? Has anyone seen an agenda?

[Noone]

One hour out from our DIA/CRA in the USA and the future of Downtown Jacksonville.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

One hour out from our DIA/CRA in the USA and the future of Downtown Jacksonville.

2 1/2 hours out. Open to the Public. One year Anniversary of our new Authority. Anyone going? Has anyone seen an agenda?

DIA Board meeting today at 5pm 1st floor city hall. Has anyone seen an agenda? Highlight for me today will be the Downtown Experience Committee report and the donation that was made to 2009-442.

This is the one year Anniversary. Anyone going? Will there be any media there?

Noone, I know what I'm about to type isn't contributing anything to the discussion, but for the love of all that is holy....  will you please just dismiss the damn alarm and quit hitting the snooze button?

I personally have been following along to a majority of the discussion, but if I'm growing tired of opening the thread and only seeing one of your (also unproductive) posts, I can imagine that many others are as well.  To the point that I'm going to stop paying attention to it.  I don't need a 'when the meeting is' update; I need a 'what is happening at the meeting' update or a 'what happened at the meeting' synopsis.

Thanks in advance.

[Noone]

The 10/16/13 DIA Board meeting combined with the one year anniversary of our new DIA/CRA in the USA had me also wanting to hit the snooze button as this was a tough meeting to stay awake for or even attend for that matter.

Going straight from the agenda. Key no shows. Paul Perez, Board member, Robert Clements, Board member, Michael Saylor, Board member, Don Harris, Board member ( Understandable, job relocation) Jack Shad, Public Parking Officer, David DeCamp, Public Information Office, Jason Gabriel, Office of General Counsel

In attendance Oliver Barakat, Chairman, Jim Bailey, Vice Chairman, Kay Harper Williams, Secretary, Tony Allegretti, Board member, Melody Bishop, Board member, Aundra Wallace, DIA Chief Executive Officer, Karen Underwood, Recording Secretary, Paul Crawford, OED to receive an award, DIA City Council Liason, Lori Boyer, Dist. 5

With 8 items on the agenda and never a quorum with people trickling in late and leaving early had Chairman Barakat tabling items right from the start. What wasn't on the agenda was a Downtown Experience Committee report that would certainly wake everybody up. I specifically attended this DIA Board meeting for the Downtown Experience update.

So let's start with agenda item III- INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

Letter of Appreciation- Tabled

Presentation/Discussion of Final Approved DIA operating budget, Nothing for the Public. How hard would it have been to have some copies. Do people need to pull a Langton and go up and ask for a copy so you can have an idea of all these numbers that are being rattled off or just what the heck is being voted on behind the scenes. There wasn't a sign in sheet and to Karen's defense I don't know how this is being Directed but lets tighten this up.

Hemming Plaza Update- Working on the draft RFP, And Waiting to hear back from Risk Management. That will be key.

Riverplace Blvd. project- Councilwoman Boyer shared with everyone that they may want to reach out to Denise Chaplick a new hire and she is a bike person in the planning dept.

USS Adams- They are ready to go and are you ready for this. Are there now going to be environmental issues on the site that could potentially hold up this project? If yes does the city have a plan for the cleanup? This is a Positive project.

Riverwalk Project- Stick your hand out for $300,000. Someone may want to post the supporter list.

Presentation on Homelessness and Vagrancy Solutions- I like chairman Barakat's initial response "Very Thought Provoking".

Redevelopment Plan Update- This is It. You snooze you Lose.

Prior to agenda item VII Public comment. DIA Board member Kay Harper Williams shared a Downtown Experience when the NBA game was being held and commenting and recognizing that attempting to engage with our river that these out of town guests with money were amazed that there was nothing to do. I'm just sitting there and just saying to myself and it's only going to get worse. pick and choose the winners and losers.  Chairman Barakat did join with a comment that will be an area that the DIA will be addressing. Let's Remember the USS Adams is a Positive project.

So on to Public Comment.
The commissioners of FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) we're meeting in south Florida this month but I shared with everyone again and I can assure you I will again the 2013 FIND grant application projects and of coarse my favorite the one that I affectionately refer to as the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, 26' Berkman floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission during the 2013 FIND grant application process. How wrong! This is our ad valorem property tax money.

Anyway the previous night I attended a Board meeting of the RFA (Recreational Fishing Alliance) and given the new DIA zone and the Implementation of this new CRA it was agreed upon that this would be a positive project to persue. So we will be moving forward with a petition to that effect. Positive.

There was some feedback from Board members and councilwoman Boyer.
RAM dock. Only opened when RAM is open. needs to be reevaluated.
Councilwoman Boyer also indicated she has a meeting scheduled with Kelley Boree to discuss upcoming FIND projects.

Paul Astleford the new CEO of Visit Jacksonville is still my hero.
identifying 32 organizations hindering Tourism can we all say RICO.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

I welcome any correction to the above interpretation of the 10/16/13 DIA Board meeting.

[Cheshire Cat]

Thanks for the information Noone.  What was the Hemming Park RFP going to be for?

[Noone]

^It was going to be tweaked and made to be better understood. Mr. Wallace was going to get with Kelley Boree and there were issues with Risk Management that needed to be resolved. It will be going back out. I didn't hear a lot of specifics. Maybe someone else picked up on another sentence or two and will post.

[Noone]

2013-695 new legislation and may be applicable for the RFP and Hemming Plaza. Next critical meeting of the CRA/DIA in the USA just two days out. Anyone going? Do we have any winner for the new Signage that was never before Waterways and we aren't talking about the new NO Fishing signs. I'll treat you to lunch at Chopstick Charley's.

[Noone]

HUGE meeting today. 3pm 1 st floor city hall after tea. Anyone going? The TV stations have been ignoring it. The entire future of Downtown is happening at these meetings. The legislative process. My elected legislative representative is supposed to be there today and lets all see what will happen. I was assured of representation.

A 20 square mile zone! And our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative runs through the middle of it.

Will any news media cover it?

[Noone]

One hour out. CRA/DIA in the USA Plan being finalized. Did the DIA Board approve anonymous (behind the scenes, secret participation?)

Plan on making a Public participation appearance with my elected legislative representation. What other option is left for Joe Q. Public?

[tufsu1]

dude...enough already...nobody is trying to keep this stuff secret