• JEDC executive director Kirk Wendland said he’s not surprised by Mayor John Peyton’s recent strong criticism of the commission’s previous policies. Wendland said Peyton has been sending the same message since April. “He’s been pretty clear throughout that he wants consistent and defined policies in how we evaluate incentive deals and prioritize public investment,” said Wendland. For more on Thursday’s JEDC meeting, see page 5.
• Visitors to City Hall Thursday morning got an unexpected workout. The elevators were malfunctioning, sending visitors — and employees — to the stairs to reach their destinations.
• The City’s parking enforcement officers are keeping a close eye on downtown parking meters. Several have been vandalized in the last few days.
• The new Vaccaro leather shop on Laura Street has been hosting distributors from Chicago this week.
• Downtown Development Authority board chair Bob Rhodes says the City shouldn’t subsidize any more luxury housing downtown, “except under extraordinary circumstances.” Incentives should go toward market-rate projects, he says.
• Flower baskets hanging on downtown light poles will soon be a thing of the past. They were not included in this year’s City budget.
• JEDC commissioner Charlie Appleby wants very specific language in incentive contracts regarding when the City pays money and when the City can take it back. “Every word in those contracts is crucial,” he said, adding that past deals gone wrong depended too heavily on trust. “This room (the JEDC chambers) is filled with goodwill and best intentions,” he said.
• The Brown Museum in Springfield is planning its grand opening for sometime in November. The museum will feature works by Jamali, Yang Yang and Jacksonville artist Walter Williams.
• The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art’s inaugural Downtown Art Summit is Saturday and Allison Graf, director of education for JMOMA, says if they get a strong turnout the event could become an annual happening.