by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Downtown Vision, Inc. Executive Director Terry Lorince said the search for a new DVI marketing director has been narrowed down.
“We are actively interviewing people and we are down to two candidates after having over 50 people apply for the position,” said Lorince.
The previous marketing director was Lyn Briggs, who left DVI a month ago. Lorince said she only advertised the position locally and a vast majority of the resumes she received were either from local people or those who had recently moved to Jacksonville.
“I would absolutely prefer someone local,” said Lorince. “I want someone that knows downtown and knows the issues.”
The next stage of the process is, Lorince said, hopefully the last.
“We have a committee within our staff that will interview the candidates,” she said. “We may ask a few board members to sit in.”
DVI is a downtown Jacksonville advocacy group that’s main purpose is to educate people about downtown and promote the area as one in which to live, work and play. The agency produces a downtown restaurant guide, oversees the downtown farmer’s markets and operates the Ambassador program. It’s funded through a property tax levied on downtown commercial property owners who have property within a special taxing district.
Lorince believes the high-level of interest in the job is a direct result of downtown’s recent growth and exposure. In the past couple of years, two new residential high-rises have opened (11E and The Carling), three more are under construction on the Southbank and Jacksonville has hosted the Super Bowl. All of these things are helping transform downtown Jacksonville into the 24-hour neighborhood that city leaders envision.
The new marketing director’s first job will be to update the downtown guide.
“I also want them to help change the attitude and perception about downtown and help bring more people downtown,” said Lorince, adding the biggest issue still facing downtown is educating people about what downtown has to offer. “People still view downtown the way they did 20 years ago.”
Lorince said she would like the marketing director on board as soon a possible.
“I wish they were here two weeks ago,” she said.