by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Hoping to capitalize on Super Bowl-related momentum downtown, the Mayor’s Office announced Thursday that local consultant Tony Allegretti has been put under contract to keep that momentum going strong.
Details surrounding Allegretti’s six-month stint with the City are hazy. Kristen Key, Mayor John Peyton’s press aide, said his duties are still being determined, but that he will report to Peyton staffers Susie Wiles and Lisa Rowe.
“At this stage we don’t have the specifics of his role nailed down,” Key said. “But as I understand it, Tony will basically be mounting a grassroots, event-oriented campaign for the City to attract people downtown.”
Allegretti, 34, said that a campaign titled “Take me to the River” will play on the idea of encouraging Jacksonville residents to come downtown and bring a friend.
“Again, a lot of the details are still being finalized, but my main responsibility will be to compel people to come downtown, especially this summer,” he said. “We want people to bring a friend or co-worker down here so that more people can discover all that the area has to offer.”
Allegretti said area activities including baseball, ballet and the symphony will each play parts in downtown promotional efforts which will culminate in a to-be-announced May special event.
He said more information regarding that event should surface sometime in early April.
“This is a really exciting time for downtown Jacksonville,” he said. “There’s a lot of energy here and we’re going to have a great time showing it off.”
Allegretti helped Downtown Vision Inc. reach a similar goal last year while working as an art consultant and creative force behind the First Wednesday ArtWalk.
DVI marketing director Lynn Briggs credited Allegretti with establishing the monthly event as one of downtown’s most popular crowd pleasers. Briggs said Allegretti helped take the ArtWalk from being an eight stop site to today where it boasts more than 30 venues and a draw of up to 10,000 people.
Briggs said DVI would continue to produce future ArtWalks, with Sarah Gordon coordinating those efforts.
“The ArtWalk is a success because Tony made it what it is,” Briggs said. “He has an obvious passion for downtown and, for him, it’s not about getting a paycheck. It’s his life. I can’t think of anyone more qualified for his new role with the City.”
A Gulf Breeze, Fla., native, Allegretti moved to Jacksonville in 1996 after accepting a position with a local software company. Shortly after, he became acquainted with Paul Shockey and Venture Resources, Shockey’s development firm specializing in converting properties in distressed areas. Allegretti will continue to serve as the firm’s vice president of consulting, but is expected to devote most of his time to the City.