• The Dyal-Upchurch Building on Bay Street is looking at two possible tenants: Bay Street Gallery, the downtown location for Steller’s Gallery, and Six East Restaurant.
• The Jacksonville Housing Commission is talking with the Downtown Development Authority to explore a coordinated effort to bring cheaper housing downtown. DDA managing director Al Battle said the groups would look at ways to leverage downtown residential development with State and federal grants.
• Mayor’s office staffer Kerri Stewart is on the block — the auction block. She’s one of the bachelorettes who’ll be auctioned Saturday as part of a fundraiser for the North Florida School. Ch. 4 reporters Hetal Gandhi and Corey Saben and City Council member Art Graham are among the 30 eligible locals participating. If you want to bid, it’s at River City Brewing Co., beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $25.
• After a full house on Wednesday for Ash Wednesday services, the Episcopal Cathedral saw things go the other way Thursday for their noon service — only four showed.
• Mayor’s office receptionist Latheria Shavers has a new job, but she’s not going far. Beginning Monday, Shavers will serve as the executive assistant to Daniel Kleman, the City’s new chief operating officer.
• International business at the Jacksonville Port Authority may be expanding. According to Tident Global Management Group, the company recently signed a contract with Jaxport to develop business opportunities in Poland and Turkey.
• The City’s partnership with the St. Johns River City Band ended with the City taking over the band’s music hall and the band practicing in a suburban strip mall. But DDA managing director Al Battle says the relationship still created value for downtown. “It turned out not to be the best partnership, but at least it brought some attention to the area,” he said.
• The Jacksonville-based Sisters of the Sea Surf Club is looking for submissions from advertising professionals for the contest design for the annual Sisters of the Sea Surf Classic. The design will be featured on the Surf Classic’s T-shirts as well as modified into a half-page ad for SG Mag (Surfing Girl Magazine). Deadline is May 3. For specifics, contact Valerie Zevens at [email protected].
• Downtown Development Authority managing director Al Battle said the DDA’s review of downtown’s master plan could include a look at increased development around Skyway stations to increase ridership and relieve downtown’s parking shortage.
• That tent on Old St. Andrews church: it’s for termite control.
• The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is preparing for Garden Week with a new exhibition, showcasing the work of eight regional artists. The theme is artwork with garden or floral elements. The exhibition opens Wednesday.