by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
The Downtown Master Plan is a great initiative but does anyone really know what its status is? That was one of the questions of a recent Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. study, titled “Living Downtown: What Does Downtown Jacksonville Need to Become a Thriving Neighborhood?”
The study, conducted from January to June, explored a number of issues that asked what would make downtown Jacksonville a 24-hour city. The Downtown Master Plan, adopted in May 2000, was the focus of a number of questions, to which the participants identified a number of gaps.
Among the items participants identified were: the need for historic designation downtown, similar to other satellite communities like Springfield or Avondale; there is insufficient level of public awareness as to the status of the Downtown Master Plan; there is no regulation to require existing building owners to adhere to the plan; there is no process map outlining the decision-making process in terms of who does what.
While the JCCI study raised interesting points, it also revealed the public’s general lack of knowledge regarding the government’s role downtown rejuvenation.
“A lot of things the group thought were not covered were covered,” said Nancy Kilgo, vice chair of the study and director of local legislative affairs and economic development for JEA. “I think a lot of it was education. There is a communication link missing. A part of it is there is not enough outreach as this is available.”
Paul Krutko, senior director of the Downtown Development Authority — the government agency that oversees the Downtown Master Plan — disputed the gaps in the plan.
“We clearly here at the DDA, JEDC and the Mayor’s Office don’t feel there are gaps,” he said.
Krutko addressed each item one by one, explaining initiatives already in place defending each gap.
“There is a task force being chaired by Council member [Jim] Overton who is evaluating what is needed to improve the Downtown Master Plan in terms of historic preservation.”
Preservationists took a hit this week as the Historic Preservation Commission voted Wednesday not to designate three buildings as landmarks, all located on the site of the future downtown library. Krutko quickly pointed out the City’s efforts to refurbish the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art and the Snyder Memorial Church as well as loaning Vestcor $17 million to transform two vintage buildings to residential units.
“Since the adoption of the Downtown Master Plan, we’ve put investments in a number or projects,” he said.
While the JCCI study participants were puzzled as to the status of the Downtown Master Plan, Krutko explained that updates are given at each monthly DDA meeting, which the media regularly attends and are open to the public.
“At every DDA meeting, Jason Thiel presents a Downtown Master Plan score card. We’re doing our best to articulate what’s going on with regular public meetings,” he said. “We’re putting the information out. Other than taking ads out, which we can’t afford.”
Krutko conceded that it would be helpful to place the score card on DDA’s website to further disseminate the information.
“We don’t post that score card yet,” he said. “That might be something that’s probably worthwhile.”
The study identified that there is currently no requirement for existing buildings, not undergoing renovation, to adhere to the Downtown Master Plan. Independent Square, a signature piece of Jacksonville’s skyline, has been long maligned for its pedestrian access and does not mesh well with the intent of the plan, which calls for pedestrian-scale entrances and approaches.
“That’s a pretty naive recommendation,” said Krutko. “What would we do? If Modis came in seeking a building permit renovating its first floor, then we could hold back on a proposal. But I can’t go to Modis and say, ‘Tear out your entrance and build a new entrance.’”
An overriding gap identified by the study is the lack of a process map that outlines the flow of decisions within the DDA and how projects come to fruition. Krutko offered another concession.
“We certainly recognize that is appropriate,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to improve. Perhaps we can create an outline that shows various steps in getting a project along downtown.”
The JCCI study identified other factors downtown vital to its growth, including the perception of safety. Downtown Vision, Inc. recently rolled out its Ambassador program, which has provided a safety presence for pedestrians.
While some issues have been addressed since the study was completed (like the Ambassador program), others have been in place for some time.
“The JCCI and the public need to get educated,” said Kilgo. “What we have to ask is, ‘How do we educate the public on what’s out there?’ A lot of these people [study participants] work in the private sector. There is a communication link missing.”