Finalists for DIA CEO Revealed

[Steve]

Confirmed, Tarbert unanimously selected:

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/06/09/dia-board-votes-colin-tarbert-as-next-ceo.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=BN&utm_content=JA&ana=e_JA_BN&j=40215025&senddate=2025-06-09

[thelakelander]

Interviews were today and Tarbert was head and shoulders above the others. DIA Board is discussing now and seems to be unanimous that he's the top candidate.

I only caught a bit of Tarbert's interview, but he was impressive. Should be a great addition to Jax.

I missed the interviews today but this is good news. I wish him a great welcome to Jax and the best of luck!

[heights unknown]

I wish him the very very best!!! Density and height baby!

[Tacachale]

I was in the three interviews and while all three were impressive, Tarbert was definitely the leader of the pack.i look forward to welcoming him aboard!

[Charles Hunter]

Any idea if he has an opinion on the U2C?

[marcuscnelson]

^ I would hope so, especially coming from a city with multiple fixed rail systems, including frequent intercity rail (Acela & Northeast Regional), commuter rail (MARC), rapid transit (Metro Subway), and light rail. What he does in practice with those opinions is anyone's guess, I suppose.

[urban_]

How would the DIA be able to influence the JTA/mass transit? Is the most they could do voice support/opposition, or could they actually make some moves like moving the Amtrak station downtown or investing in mass transit?

[jax_hwy_engineer]

I love the comments on the News4Jax article on his hiring. Shows how little faith (somewhat rightfully so) the general public has about the DIA, this hire, and the state of downtown...

I hope these commenters can be proven wrong but I am not holding my breath that Downtown will magically turn around anytime soon...

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/06/09/the-agency-in-charge-of-helping-develop-downtown-has-a-new-ceo-what-we-know-about-the-baltimore-transplant/

On a personal note I'd love to see a list of anything either agency has accomplished.

[Charles Hunter]

How would the DIA be able to influence the JTA/mass transit? Is the most they could do voice support/opposition, or could they actually make some moves like moving the Amtrak station downtown or investing in mass transit?

I think the DIA's influence would be political, as they have no regulatory power. They could pass resolutions and lobby members of City Council and the Mayor.

[jaxlongtimer]

How would the DIA be able to influence the JTA/mass transit? Is the most they could do voice support/opposition, or could they actually make some moves like moving the Amtrak station downtown or investing in mass transit?

I think the DIA's influence would be political, as they have no regulatory power. They could pass resolutions and lobby members of City Council and the Mayor.

This is a major shortcoming of DIA and Downtown planning.  DIA needs to be able to have substantial influence or control over mass transit, not just in Downtown proper, but the surrounding urban core that Downtown is dependent upon to support it.  Until that is fixed, I predict Downtown progress will be held substantially back from what it could be.  Tarbert should assert this as a necessary fix on Day #1 by claiming it as major leg to his success with Downtown.  Coming from Baltimore hopefully gives him some credibiltiy on this issue.

And, yes, he needs to make it clear U2C is NOT that fix he needs.

[RatTownRyan]

Cool article about Harbor place in Baltimore. With so many similarities, it's easy to see how Tarbert was chosen for the job.

https://urbanland.uli.org/development-and-construction/baltimores-harborplace-reimagining-large-scale-urban-design-and-development-on-the-citys-waterfront

[Jax_Developer]

Well we've had multiple council members speak up against the U2C.. the Mayor's office is the last domino but that domino also seems to be standing strong. Without the Mayor's support, I can't see how JTA has the political backing to continue in it's current form.

I've been saying for a while that the lack of a real transit plan has been the biggest anchor to the DIA out of the factors "we" as a city control. Hard to fully build out a downtown with almost zero practical transit options. The Brooklyn station is such a low hanging fruit & for some reason JTA refuses to do it.

[jaxlongtimer]

Well we've had multiple council members speak up against the U2C.. the Mayor's office is the last domino but that domino also seems to be standing strong. Without the Mayor's support, I can't see how JTA has the political backing to continue in it's current form.

I've been saying for a while that the lack of a real transit plan has been the biggest anchor to the DIA out of the factors "we" as a city control. Hard to fully build out a downtown with almost zero practical transit options. The Brooklyn station is such a low hanging fruit & for some reason JTA refuses to do it.

^ JD, common ground on this issue! 

[Ken_FSU]

Well we've had multiple council members speak up against the U2C.. the Mayor's office is the last domino but that domino also seems to be standing strong. Without the Mayor's support, I can't see how JTA has the political backing to continue in it's current form.

I've been saying for a while that the lack of a real transit plan has been the biggest anchor to the DIA out of the factors "we" as a city control. Hard to fully build out a downtown with almost zero practical transit options. The Brooklyn station is such a low hanging fruit & for some reason JTA refuses to do it.

^ JD, common ground on this issue! 

CLOSE DOWN THE FORUMS.

WE'VE REACHED ENDGAME 

[Charles Hunter]

It would be really cool to have Mr. Tarbert meet with some of the leading lights of this august forum.

(Do we know anybody in City Hall that might facilitate such a thing?)