• DDA managing director Al Battle says chef Liz Grenamyer’s plans to open a Bay Street restaurant are on hold. The restaurant is planned for the first floor of the Dyal–Upchurch Building and was scheduled for a November opening. Battle said he expected Grenamyer to ask for City incentives for the project, which would fill in part of the planned Bay Street Town Center.
• Amelia Island is making its preparations for the Super Bowl and will have a couple of new things for visitors. They’re planning a Shellfish Festival to celebrate the local shrimping industry, and they’ll have trolleys stopping at different restaurants so folks can sample the local delicacies.
• The 38 Florida Coastal School of Law students who passed The Florida Bar exams Feb. 24-25 will be honored at a special swearing-in ceremony and reception Monday. Chief Judge Donald R. Moran Jr. of the 4th Judicial Circuit will perform the 3 p.m. ceremony at the Duval County Courthouse. A reception follows at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
• Boaz Dvir, former editor of the Business Journal, has now taken on the job as editor of The Communigator, the alumni news magazine at the University of Florida.
• A recent study of downtown housing from the Real Estate Strategy Center of North Florida Inc. found that downtown residents are not as concerned about crime as past surveys have suggested. The center’s president, Ray Rodriguez, said that crime statistics for downtown are inflated because they include crimes committed at the jail.
• Jacksonville Economic Development Commission executive director Kirk Wendland asked Signet Development for a definitive answer regarding its plans for the Laura Street trio. Signet got the rights to redevelop the three crumbling buildings two years ago, but work has yet to begin. If Signet backs out, Battle said the job will either go to another developer or the buildings will be placed on the open market.
• Since several of his old supporters attacked him in print last week, Mayor John Peyton has received several messages of support. However, State Senate President Jim King sent one of the most encouraging messages. King said he understood the hurt caused by the comments, but he told the mayor that he would improve over time and could even scores later. “Sometimes there is no better remedy for hurt feelings than revenge!” King wrote.
• The 2004 Association of Legal Administrators Business Partner function will be at The Grotto in San Marco from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. The event is held to thank those partners who have donated to the association. Carolyn Sutton is the chairperson; Kathy Weintraub is the committee member assisting her.