$750, 000 for Downtown revitalization projects

[I-10east]

Here goes a piece from yesterday's news4jax.

www.news4jax.com/news/city-to-invest-750k-in-downtown-businesses/-/475880/23568158/-/81a4gk/-/index.html

[Noone]

The 12/18/13 DIA Board meeting was about 4 hours long.

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Visit Jacksonville!

That will soon change with the decision by the DIA  to move forward and seek $750,000 from city council that will come back and then be handed out.

I support the USS Charles F. Adams and during Public Comment suggested that $50,000 should go toward this positive project for Downtown. Positive discussion followed. It was even mentioned that MOSH may be looking at a kayak launch next to the Main St. Bridge and in my opinion what a fantastic addition to add for a vibrant creation of unique retail opportunity for engaging our trophy asset the St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in this new highly restricted DIA zone.

[thelakelander]

City will offer up to $50,000 for retailers that set up shop downtown

In its first action to put some money behind its redevelopment mission, the Downtown Investment Authority board voted last week to put $750,000 in a "retail enhancement program" targeting the Northbank.

If City Council agrees, the authority would offer grants of up to $50,000 per business to help each defray the start-up costs of moving or expanding in downtown. The money would be targeted at building improvements that enable businesses to move into vacant storefronts that are dead zones.

Downtown Vision, the organization that represents downtown property owners, found that at the end of 2012 there were 105 occupied storefronts and 66 vacant ones in Northbank buildings.

Downtown Investment Authority CEO Aundra Wallace said the grants will make it financially viable for tenants to move into vacant storefronts.

"The problem right now is you the tenant are bringing 'X' amount of dollars to the table," Wallace said. "You the landlord have X amount you're willing to put toward improvement costs. There's a gap, and a lot of time what we're seeing in the marketplace is there's no funding to bridge that gap."

Recipients of the grants would have to repay a portion of the funding if they don't stay at the locations for at least five years.

http://members.jacksonville.com/business/2013-12-21/story/city-will-offer-50000-retailers-set-shop-downtown

[thelakelander]

Random question, what kind of civic organizations would you guys recommend if I wanted to join in and advocate for these kinds of intiatives?  The only one I really know of is the Chamber of Commerce, but I really think these smaller efforts that help the small businesses in the core are the way to go if we want to start grassroots resurgence in the core.

What do you guys think?

During my time here, I've come to the conclusion that there is no "central" civic organization you can join.  Every organization has a slightly different agenda and purpose. I've been able to accomplish a lot more advocating through Metro Jacksonville than any of the other organizations I've been (and still am) involved with.  Whether it's Impact Jax, Rotary, the Chamber, Civic Council (if your bank account is on that level) or simply getting yourself active on boards such as the DDRB, DIA, CPAC, CACs, etc. you can play a role by convincing the other members of that particular group. The more groups that can get behind initiatives like this, the better the opportunity of convincing the playmakers at City Hall. On the other hand, sometimes going the route of "Tactical Urbanism" works best to get the message across and to promote overall change.  Just look at the growth of the food truck industry locally or the evolution of JTA's BRT plans over the last few years.  These things were set in motion by residents who simply were not willing to accept the first "no" they received as face value.

[Bill Hoff]

I would add that depending on where you live, RAP, SPAR, SMPS, or MHPS may be good avenues for civic advocacy as well. Neighborhood organizations are molded by those participating in them. Get involved & make a difference.

[Noone]

On the agenda for the 1/15/14 full Board meeting of the DIA is the $750,000 stick your hand out positive plan.

[tufsu1]

^ its not quite that simple.  A business needs to show that their project makes financial sense and they will have to remain open for 5 years in order to get all the money.

A possibly more important agenda item for tonight is the revised Landing drawings

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

To quote TheLakeLander : "On the other hand, sometimes going the route of "Tactical Urbanism" works best to get the message across and to promote overall change."

I like that term!

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Tactical urbanism seems to mean different things to different people.

The AtlanticCities has a good guide:
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/03/guide-tactical-urbanism/1387/

@TheLakeLander, is this how you define & perform tactical urbanism? 

[thelakelander]

^Yes. 

[Noone]

Tactical Urbanism? Was that used by CEO Aundra Wallace at the 1/15/14 DIA Board meeting under agenda item II Action Items and the change of hand out money for the DT Jax Retail Enhancement Plan?

[thelakelander]

To be fair, Wallace wasn't hired and isn't getting paid six figures to do Tactical Urbanism.  From all I've seen so far, he seems to be doing a pretty decent job with what he's been given to play with.  I like the fact that he's pretty blunt and doesn't seem to beat around the bush.

Btw, are you against using incentives to fill the financing gap to get retail and adaptive reuse projects in existing downtown buildings off the ground? When you asked for them to give some of that money to the USS Adams project, I figured you were for it.

[mtraininjax]

Random question, what kind of civic organizations would you guys recommend if I wanted to join in and advocate for these kinds of intiatives?  The only one I really know of is the Chamber of Commerce, but I really think these smaller efforts that help the small businesses in the core are the way to go if we want to start grassroots resurgence in the core.

What do you guys think?

Join the neighborhood groups as mentioned, RAP is a great one to volunteer on, they always need help. You could volunteer on what Lake calls the PCT Riverside/Avondale Trolley, which is a great way to meet people.

Or

Elections are right around the corner, get on Facebook or some other medial, maybe even Google and find who is running and go volunteer with a candidate, a GREAT way to see how the city works, or fails to work. Mayoral or City Council, makes not difference, go and learn. Also, volunteer at One Spark, many leaders volunteer their time there, again, great way to meet people. RAM is also an ongoing, weekly place to volunteer. So many great ways, you cannot go wrong if you volunteer and work to make a difference. You cannot lose!

[Noone]

To be fair, Wallace wasn't hired and isn't getting paid six figures to do Tactical Urbanism.  From all I've seen so far, he seems to be doing a pretty decent job with what he's been given to play with.  I like the fact that he's pretty blunt and doesn't seem to beat around the bush.

Lake you and tufsu1 were there at the 1/15/14 DIA Board meeting and did you hear what I thought that everyone else heard is that the $50,000 dollar cap is now gone and out the window and an all new policy has been introduced? This tactical urbanism move had a lot of people immediately whispering to each other. Is it being reported anywhere? This will be coming before the full Jacksonville city council for legislative action.

[thelakelander]

I didn't hear anything resembling tactical urbanism being discussed.  Also, I don't recall the specific number but there's still a cap.