It's been nearly a year since our first open house in Downtown for Off the Grid and there are now 14 Downtown spaces serving as studio and exhibition space for artists in our community. Off the Grid has been tremendously successful both for artists and for property owners. We have continued to work to find additional spaces for the program and will host an open house on: Thursday, July 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 214 N. Hogan St., Suite 120 Off the Grid is a partnership between artists, property owners, Downtown Vision, Inc. and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Off the Grid facilitates introductions between Jacksonville artists and Downtown property owners in an effort to activate vacant spaces in the urban core with artistic energy and provide artists with much needed work and exhibition space. Special thanks to artist Jim Draper, who inspired this project. | Yes! You Can Reduce Your Parking Costs | Commuter Choice
Did you know the Jacksonville Transportation Authority can save your company and your employees money and make your business environmentally friendly? JTA Commuter Choice Program is designed for employers that seek to provide a tax-free, low-cost transportation benefits to employees. A JTA Commuter Choice Administrator will prepare and implement a program to fit your business needs and directly help employees understanding all commuting options. If you are a HR Director or LEED Coordinator for your office, JTA just may have the perfect solution to providing another benefit to your employees today! Call JTA Business Relations and Development at (904) 630-3197 or e-mail Endya Cummings-Freeman ecummings@jtafla.com. Peripheral Parking
Additionally, Downtown has plenty of low-cost, convenient, peripheral parking alternatives for companies and employees interested in reducing their parking costs. For $15-$30 per month (depending on location), Downtown employees can park in peripheral parking lots located at the Sports Complex, convention center or Kings Avenue Garage and access Downtown buildings via the Downtown trolleys and Skyway. Click here to view our Downtown parking map, complete with location, rate and contact information, or contact our director of district services, Amy Harrell, at (904) 634-0303 x 224 or via email for more information. Water Street Garage Lowers Rates The City of Jacksonville has lowered parking rates at the Water Street Garage for all new and current customers. New rates are as follows: Unreserved monthly parking: $50
Reserved monthly parking: $90 Downtown businesses arranging parking for more than 100 spaces are eligible for an additional 10% discount. For more information or to participate, contact the City of Jacksonville Public Parking Division at (904) 630-2714 or visit their office in the Yates building (231 E. Forsyth St., 4th floor). |
Andrew Jackson Moves to Laura Street; Construction Progresses | Construction on the Laura Street Improvement Project is progressing. The Andrew Jackson statue was recently relocated from its placement in front of The Jacksonville Landing to the center of the new roundabout at Laura Street and Independent Drive. The roundabout at that intersection is now open to accommodate eastbound and westbound traffic, providing access to the Main Street Bridge, Jacksonville Landing drop-off lane and loading docks and the MODIS building drop-off on Independent Drive. Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Deputy Director Paul Crawford noted that while the ride on the roundabout is rougher, it was designed to slow vehicular traffic and make the area more pedestrian-friendly. Construction is expected to begin north of Bay Street in early August (contingent on weather and unforeseen conditions). |
| Commuter Alert: I-10/I-95 Traffic Pattern Changes | By Monday, July 26, new traffic patterns will be implemented for I-10 eastbound vehicles at the merger of I-10 and I-95. I-10 eastbound to I-95 northbound at the Downtown exitsTraffic on I-10 eastbound going to I-95 northbound toward Downtown will utilize a new flyover ramp to the Downtown exits. This includes opening a new exit at Forest Street to Downtown for traffic coming from I-10 eastbound. I-10 eastbound to I-95 southbound
Traffic on I-10 eastbound going to I-95 southbound will split from the left side of the roadway instead of the right. The on-ramp from U.S. 17 (Roosevelt Boulevard) to I-10 eastboundEastbound traffic on I-10 from U.S. 17 (Roosevelt Boulevard) will stay in the same lanes heading to I-95 northbound or southbound. The new pattern will eliminate the need to change lanes or weave across I-10 eastbound to access I-95 north or south. The on-ramp from Stockton Street to I-95 northbound This ramp will reopen. It had been closed since June 2009 for construction. Click here for a map of the traffic pattern changes. The preparation and finishing work for these changes will start this weekend and should be implemented by Monday, July 26. The timetable for the traffic switches could be delayed slightly in the case of inclement weather. These changes will be permanent and are part of the $152.6 million I-10/I-95 interchange reconstruction project which started in February 2005. All traffic movements should be in place by this fall. The remaining permanent movements to open near the end of the project are the I-95 southbound mainline route towards the Fuller Warren Bridge, the new off ramp from I-95 to Forest Street and an on ramp from Forest Street to I-10 westbound and U.S. 17 southbound. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Transportation at (904) 360-5457. |
| Downtown Retail News | Welcome to Downtown's newest retailers and Off the Grid Gallery! Chick-fil-A Express
800 Prudential Dr.
Baptist Medical Center, near the Women's Pavilion Chick-fil-A Express offers a self-serve, cafeteria style experience with menu options including Chick-fil-A's chicken sandwiches, salads, breakfast sandwiches and waffle fries.
Like that Cut
44 W. Monroe St.
(904) 305-5509
With 60 years of experience collectively, this new barber and styling shop located near the Main Library caters to men, women and children, for services from simple cuts to facials. This newest Off the Grid space is a mix of old and new. Revolving art and installations are the heart of this gallery, which also encourages collaboration and a place to exchange ideas and foster creativity. |
| Next Downtown Operations Meeting | Please join us for our next Downtown Operations Meeting for an update on Downtown and to discuss any Downtown cleanliness, safety or other concerns. Date: Tuesday, August 3 Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Main Library, Room G4 Parking: Parking is available in the library garage at the corner of Duval and Main Streets To attend, please RSVP to our director of district services, Amy Harrell, at (904) 634-0303 x 224 or via email. |
| Eat Up Downtown Returns for Two Weeks This August! | Back by popular demand, Eat Up Downtown will return this year for two weeks (August 9 - 22). Downtown Vision, Inc. is dishing out exquisite cuisine at an affordable price during the fourth annual Eat Up Downtown, Downtown Jacksonville's dining promotion.
Each participating restaurant will offer specially selected, three-course dinner menus for $25 per person. For participating restaurants and menus, visit www.eatupdowntown.com or click here to subscribe to our Eat Up Downtown email list. Call today to make reservations! |
| 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, July 30. It's not too late to reserve a spot, and walk-ins are welcome. A photo ID is required to donate. Remember, one unit of blood 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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