by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
City Council vice president Elaine Brown proposal to re-evaluate the Downtown Master Plan was met with enthusiastic agreement Wednesday at the Downtown Development Authority meeting.
Brown, who started her political career with the DDA, proposed that a fresh look be taken at the master plan because five years have passed since it was enacted by the Council.
The master plan was designed to transform Jacksonville into a “world-renowned livable place.” Emphasis is placed on increasing pedestrian traffic, riverfront development and building an effective transportation system.
While Brown was quick to emphasize the plan need not be changed, she stressed the importance of continually benchmarking the progress Jacksonville has made in its efforts to revitalize downtown.
“The master plan is organic,” said Brown. “It is an ongoing document that needs to be looked at to see what we need now. We need to ask, ‘What is Jacksonville going to look like after the new courthouse it built?’ and ‘What are we going to do with the empty buildings?’ We need to make a list of what may be visionary, but what is needed and look at where we want to be five years from now.”
After Brown complimented the growth of residential areas and commented on the need for connectivity between downtown surrounding areas, DDA chair Robert Rhodes proposed a public hearing on the subject.
“We’re all together on this and committed to the concept of how to review the plan,” said Rhodes. “We need conductivity, an agenda and the opportunity to hear from the community.”
All DDA members agreed the community needs to be heard at some point in regards to the master plan. Dr. Gerry Nichols, a six-year DDA board member, expressed concern that it may be premature to issue a public notice.
“We need to ensure there is a fixed understanding of the master plan amongst the board and then call in people with ideas and knowledge so that we may move forward,” said Nichols.
DDA managing director Al Battle also expressed a need to postpone a public meeting.
“The community is evolving,” he said, “but before we invite the public, the board must have a to do list.”
In an almost supplemental presentation, Terry Lorince of Downtown Vision, Inc. proffered the results of DVI’s two and a half month study regarding downtown development .
“We are on the right track to building a great downtown neighborhood. However, we need to focus our actions on the programs and services needed to take downtown to the next level,” she said.
Lorince presented the study’s key elements which included increasing downtown housing space to offer at least 10,000 units, developing a unique riverfront to increase pedestrian traffic, creating a transportation system which connects different venues and developing a clean, safe environment which encourages business and residential growth.
“DVI feels our plan should be done and incorporated into the master plan,” said Lorince. “This platform cannot be done alone. We need DDA support.”
Brown also called for increased communication between the Florida Department of Transportation, Jacksonville Transit Authority, JEA and the City’s Planning Department.
“We all need to work together,” said Brown. “The DDA must be the catalyst for Jacksonville’s improvement.”
Downtown Master Plan re-evaluation efforts will be discussed at next month’s DDA meeting.