The International Downtown Association recently recognized Downtown Vision Inc. and The Elbow with a Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for work related to a marketing co-op for the entertainment area.
The award was presented last week during the 62nd annual conference and trade show in Atlanta.
The excellence award is a new category that recognizes innovative best practice entries.
The local entry showcased the promotion of food and entertainment offerings in The Elbow. It was among 18 entries considered.
The Elbow launched in 2013. Downtown Vision began the marketing cooperative with businesses in 2015.
Results mixed for annual St. Johns River report
Nitrogen levels and air emissions of toxic chemicals into the St. Johns River have declined. That’s good.
Salinity levels and surface water discharges of toxic chemicals continue to increase. That’s bad.
The ninth annual State of the River report shows the good, bad and unchanged of the lower basin of the St. Johns River over the past year.
The report highlights water quality, fisheries, aquatic life and contaminants in the basin and is a joint effort of Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Florida Southern College and Valdosta State University.
For many positives, such as the highest manatee count recorded in 22 years, there were negatives, like the increase of non-native species to 75. Of the latter, the rise in lionfish and Cuban tree frogs are of particular concern.
Some past concerns haven’t changed, including the level of phosphorus and chlorophyll-a, which is an indicator of algal blooms.
For the full report, visit sjrreport.com.
JTA appoints Carter Rohan to vice president position
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority appointed Carter Rohan as vice president of construction and capital programs management.
Rohan manages the design and construction of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system and the JTAMobilityWorks program.
He brings more than 37 years’ experience in architecture, engineering, program and construction management.
Rohan comes to JTA from Parsons International, where he served as vice president and project director of the $15.9 billion Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia.
Jacksonville Public Education Fund adds board members
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund added six members this summer to its board of directors.
They are:
• Ronnie King, a certified software engineer and owner of Scratchwork LLC
• Coley Jones, vice president of the middle market banking group with TD Bank
• Marsha Oliver, director of public affairs for Mayor Lenny Curry
• Hugh Greene, president and CEO of Baptist Health and CEO of Coastal Community Health
• Lisa Page, former assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division in Jacksonville
• Kay Park, Alimacani Elementary School teacher who is the non-voting ex officio Florida Blue Teacher of the Year representative
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is an independent nonprofit that works to inform and mobilize the community for universally high-quality public schools for all children.
FSCJ receives two multiyear Talent Search grants
Florida State College at Jacksonville was awarded two $1.2 million, five-year Talent Search grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
They will be used to promote postsecondary education access and equity for low-income, first generation college students.
The first grant is a renewal for FSCJ’s South Campus program that’s operated since 2007 and benefited students at Englewood, Terry Parker and Wolfson high schools along with Alfred I. duPont, Fort Caroline and Southside middle schools.
The program serves 500 students annually, with 73 percent of the Talent Search graduates going on to enroll in a postsecondary education program.
The other grant will allow FSCJ to build on the program’s success for inner-city students from Andrew Jackson, William M. Raines and Jean Ribault high schools and A. Philip Randolph Career Academies.
The FSCJ Downtown campus will be the point location.
The program provides tutoring, student-specific plans and online peer support.
Visit Jacksonville wins Flagler Award for promotion
Visit Jacksonville came away with the bronze award in the special events category of the 2016 Flagler Awards ceremony.
The prize-winning promotion was “Kids Free November,” a campaign that invites families to visit Jacksonville’s popular attractions at a discounted price during November.
For each paying adult, up to five children receive free entrance to attractions, such as the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Adventure Landing and Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.
The promotion will return this year with more attractions.
JTA's Ford named APTA vice chair
Members of the American Public Transportation Association elected Nathaniel Ford Sr., CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, as vice chair for next year.
The organization leads on issues of public transportation, with members being from public entities that provide bus, light rail, community rail, subway, waterborne, high-speed rail and paratransit services.
Cody Black named branding, programming head for radio stations
Cox Media Group promoted Cody Black to director of branding and programming for WXXJ-FM 102.9 and WJGL-FM 96.9.
He started at Cox in a part-time role in 2010 and worked his way up to full-time in the promotions department in 2012.
Black has worked in programming for WXXJ since July 2015. He adds programming responsibilities for WJGL previously held by Aaron Schachter, who is now digital content director for Cox in Orlando and Jacksonville.
FSCJ assisting ITT Tech students
When one door closes, another opens.
Students impacted by the nationwide closure of ITT Technical Institute campuses can receive educational assistance from Florida State College at Jacksonville.
The school is waiving the $25 application fee for current ITT Tech students or those who withdrew within the past 120 days.
An information session will be 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Thursday at FSCJ’s Deerwood Campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Road.
The school has formed a transition team to help transfer students and credits.
For more information, call (904) 357-8917.
Rood on Enterprise Florida board
Vestcor Cos. Chairman John Rood has been named to the Enterprise Florida Inc. board of directors by Gov. Rick Scott.
Rood is a former ambassador to the Bahamas from 2004-07, a previous member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and was on the board of governors of the State University System.
His term ends Sept. 30, 2019.
Riverside dog park opening Saturday
The grand opening of the John Gorrie Dog Park at Riverside Park will be 10 a.m. Saturday.
It’s the culmination of a public-private partnership among the city, City Council member Jim Love, Riverside Avondale Preservation and supporters like Delores Barr Weaver, the Elizabeth Brown Foundation and Pet Paradise.
The park will be subject to city rules and regulations.
Brick pavers will continue to be made available by Riverside Avondale Preservation to benefit the park.
Glick joins North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust has added Aaron Glick to its team as a land protection specialist.
He will work with the organization’s director to initiate, plan and implement conservation projects and land acquisition and support community outreach to the planning and development communities.
Glick previously spent nine years with the city as a historic zoning overlay planner and worked on various infill projects throughout the urban core.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Cincinnati.