Super celebration plan takes shape

News

by J. Brooks Terry

Staff Writer

Working under the direction of the Super Bowl Host Committee, the Downtown Super Celebrations Committee met at City Hall Monday morning.

Led by Downtown Development Authority senior director Al Battle, the group is working toward developing and refining its focus while being sure not to “duplicate the services” of the Host Committee.

“What we’ve managed to do so far is establish four main program areas that we want to look at in the downtown area,” said Battle. “Each area or subcommittee, we believe, fits into the bigger Super Bowl picture in some way.”

One of the subcommittees, which Battle also chairs, focuses on the capital and infrastructure improvements in and around downtown. Battle said the purpose of the group is to “get a handle” on where various developments, including The Shipyards and the various Better Jacksonville Plan projects will be in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.

“We obviously are aware of all the traffic that will be in the area during that time,” he said, “so it’s in our best interest to have a clear assessment of these projects. Based on the different stages of development, we can possibly help determine whether or not it will be necessary to plan away from them.”

Another group, the Property Inventory Subcommittee, is headed by Terry Lorince of Downtown Vision, Inc.

“We want to get a sense of what retail space is available downtown,” said Lorince. “And right now, nobody is really keeping track of that information on a larger scale. Each building management group does, but there isn’t a one-stop shop for anyone who’s interested, from the T-shirt vendors to someone who wants to open a short-term cafe while the Super Bowl is here.”

Lorince said the collected data will serve both the Super Bowl and future DVI purposes.

“We’re finalizing a survey right now and also a list of who we need to contact,” she said. “But at this point, I can say that we’re mainly going to be focusing on waterfront property on both sides of the river.”

A completed property list could be available by mid-March.

A third group, chaired by JEDC member Penny Thompson, has been charged with developing a definitive downtown map.

“Basically, we wanted to take the lead in determining what map will be used to locate the various activities downtown,” said Battle. “You have thousands of people who work down here, and even more who live in the surrounding areas, so it’s definitely important to have something in place, as opposed to having several different maps in circulation.

“And for tourists, this is the map we’ll use to help sell Jacksonville.”

A fourth group is concentrating on “creative ideas.”

Led by BellSouth’s Michael Stewart, the subcommittee has drawn the most interest from local business owners.

“We’re hoping to use the Creative Ideas Subcommittee as a clearing house,” said Battle. “This is where we’ll continue to focus on unique ideas to truly capitalize on the Super Bowl.

“Everyone involved believes, with the right vision and local participation, we can maximize on our local potential.”

The Super Celebrations Committee is scheduled to meet again Feb. 23. Battle and Host Committee president Michael Kelly said that may be the turning point where ideas and a solid plan of action start coming together.

“I think that, after observing the Houston Super Bowl, we’ll see our long-term plan fine tuned and formally into motion,” said Kelly. “We, as a Host Committee, have a lot of energy and to have a group like the Super Celebration group already compiling data and putting together a time line is a real credit to them, especially this early on.”

Here’s the list of City officials who will be in Houston for the Super Bowl:

Mayor’s office

Mayor John Peyton

Scott Teagle

Heather Murphy

City Council

Council president Lad Daniels

General Counsel’s Office

Karen Chastain

Administration and Finance

Chris Shea

Special Events Department