On May 13, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) recommended that the Jacksonville City Council approve Downtown Vision's budget for FY 10/11. Of the $1.2 million total budget, approximately $840,000 (69% of the budget) will be funded by private properties within the Downtown Improvement District, and $325,311 (27%) will be funded by the City of Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville owns approximately 30% of the property within the Downtown Improvement District and has contributed to Downtown Vision annually based on the commitment made to private property owners when Downtown Vision was formed to pay an equitable contribution to Downtown Vision for services received by city properties. The Commissioners noted during the discussion that properties in Downtown contributed $15 million in property tax to the city's General Services District budget, and questioned how much of those tax dollars are allocated to service and maintain Downtown Jacksonville. | Downtown Ambassadors are Making a Difference Downtown |  In February, 2010, Downtown Vision contracted out the Downtown Ambassador Program to Service Group, Inc., a nationally-recognized provider of cleanliness and safety services in more than 20 downtowns in the U.S. Since then, the Downtown Ambassadors have made tremendous strides in cleaning up Downtown and providing safety patrols and hospitality services to Downtown employees, residents and visitors.  Notable accomplishments since March 1 include: Cleanliness
- Pressure washed more than 50 block faces
- Removed 99 bags of leaves and acorns from sidewalks
- Removed more than 11,000 lbs. of litter
- Removed more than 150 graffiti tags
- Reported more than 180 instances of property damage or maintenance required to city for resolution  Additionally, the Downtown Ambassadors straighten and clean newspaper boxes, trash cans, benches and other public infrastructure Downtown, as well as provide spot odor removal, tree trimming and weed abatement services in the Downtown Improvement District. Safety
- Reported and/or resolved more than 300 instances of nuisance activity
- Provided more than 2,200 miles of bicycle patrols and more than 250 miles of Segway patrols, in addition to daily foot patrols throughout the Downtown Improvement District
- Provided 58 escorts upon request Hospitality
- Provided directions or assistance to more than 600 citizens
- Provided 50 umbrella escorts in the rain
- Found and returned more than 30 lost items, including keys, wallets, ID cards and checks If you would like more information about the Downtown Ambassadors, please contact our director of district services, Amy Harrell, at (904) 634-0303 x 224 or via email. |
| Get Off the Grid for Lunch! | Every Thursday through June 24, the Off the Grid galleries are hosting Off the Grid, Thursday Lunch Break. All of the galleries are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a coupon flyer with special deals at more than two dozen restaurants is available for visitors. The coupon deals are good for one week. To receive updates on Off the Grid, click here to sign up for emails.  Off the Grid, an initiative between Downtown Vision, Inc. and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, continues to gain momentum with the opening of three new spaces in the last month. Burro Bags opened in The Letter Shop on Forsyth and the L. E. Smart Studio Gallery and The Bee Gallery opened in The Jacksonville Landing. Click here for more information, recent media coverage and videos from Off the Grid, and and find us at Off the Grid on Facebook. Special thanks to the property owners and artists who have embraced this effort. For more information on this program, please contact our executive director, Terry Lorince, at (904) 634-0303 x 223 or via email. |
| JTA Presents Downtown Bus Shelter Options to DDRB | Downtown Vision and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission have been working with JTA to request that the shelters offer improved safety features (including transparency and lighting), are designed to reduce nuisance activity, and are attractive,  comfortable and easier to maintain. The shelters will also complement the newly designed JTA signage throughout Downtown. Once the DDRB has approved a final design, JTA expects to install a prototype shelter in July and begin replacing existing Downtown shelters this fall.  For more information about the proposed new shelters, please contact JTA's director of external affairs, Mike Miller at mmiller@jtafla.com. |
| Prototype Wayfarer Signage |  The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) has installed prototype wayfarer signage on Forsyth Street. The sign features examples of directional signage for landmarks, government offices and adjacent Downtown districts. The JEDC is currently working to identify funding for purchase and installation of wayfarer signage for Downtown Jacksonville. |
| Downtown Retail News | | Downtown Vision welcomes Downtown's newest retailer! No phone number currently. Make an appointment to get inked, or drop by to see work on display by resident artist, Kyle Miller. This combination tattoo parlor and art gallery showcases all that is unique about Downtown, and plays host to various visiting artists. |
| New County Courthouse Construction Progressing |  Construction on the new Duval County Courthouse continues to progress. Currently, workers are finishing the concrete structure, and installing exterior precast and glass/curtainwall. On the interior, progress includes plumbing, HVAC ductwork, metal studs for drywall, fire sprinklers and elevators. Topping out of the construction is expected in mid-June 2010, with completion in May 2012. |
| Jazz Festival Street Closures May 26 - May 31 | The City of Jacksonville has announced street closures and delivery information for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Street closures will begin Wednesday, May 26 and end Monday, May 31 and will impact areas along Duval Street, Monroe Street, Adams Street and Hogan Street. Click here for a complete list of Jacksonville Jazz Festival street closures and delivery information. |
| Mark Your Calendar for the Next Hemming Plaza Market Blood Drive! | The Blood Alliance will be bringing a bloodmobile to the Hemming Plaza Market on Friday, June 4. It's not too late to reserve a spot, and walk-ins are welcome. A photo ID is required to donate. Remember, one unit can save up to three lives. To schedule an appointment, please contact our market manager, Tasha Tucker, at 904-634-0303 ext. 225 or via email. |
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