• The legislative session left lobbyists and legislators looking for time off. Tuesday’s Government Affairs Committee meeting at the Chamber was notable for its dearth of lobbyists and even committee staff person Amy Tuck Whitman took the day off. One who was working: attorney/legislator Mark Mahon was seen crossing Bay Street on his way to the courthouse.
• Some celebs will be at the World Golf Village this weekend. First comes the St. Vincent’s Foundation tournament on Friday with comedian Bill Murray, then there’s a pro-am Sunday and Monday with NASCAR drivers and pro golfers Tom Kite, Fuzzy Zoeller and Larry Nelson.
• At a recent meeting of a committee reviewing the proposed downtown entertainment zone, attorney Dylan Reinghold told the group he would need their help in getting more information from cities who have already established similar zones. Reinhold, an attorney in the General Counsel’s Office, said he “had not gotten very far” even after identifying himself to City departments in cities including Atlanta. Committee chair Audrey Moran, an attorney herself, joked that those cities are likely afraid of speaking with a lawyer they don’t know. “They probably think you want to sue them,” she said.
• Speaking of the Downtown Entertainment District Committee, their next meeting will be on Friday, May 20. Between now and then, the group plans to explore law enforcement issues and communicate with various vendors and commercial realtors to determine other specific concerns.
• A follow-up to a story we ran regarding schools and fair share: In the article, City Council member Sharon Copeland suggested schools could avoid paying premium fees to develop new facilities if they could determine where they would need to build them a few years in advance. Karen Kuhlmann, School Board general director of facilities planning, said requesting that kind of preparation is a tall order. “Unfortunately we can’t just pick out an area to build without being absolutely sure there will be a demand for that facility,” Kuhlmann said, adding that schools must be at least 80 percent occupied before there are enough available tax dollars to cover teacher salaries, books and classroom materials. “By virtue of what we do, we’re always playing catch up as we follow Jacksonville’s development.”
• It’s a big year for the Department of Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year is their 75th anniversary and they’ll celebrate June 16-19 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront.
• Florida Coastal School of Law’s Eric Smith is lobbying for a spot on Mayor John Peyton’s new international coalition. Smith is a former City Council member and FCSL’s assistant dean for external affairs.
• Attorney Wayne Hogan and his wife Pat are hosting a reception at their San Marco home for the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation. Invite only.
• It may be too late, but the Greater Arlington/Beaches Citizens Planning Advisory Committee has changed its mind regarding a rezoning for the “Mediterra” a 781-acre mixed-use development on Beach Boulevard between Kernan and Hodges. The development includes commercial, residential and recreational uses — and promises more traffic for an already congested area. No word on the reason for the change of heart.
• Main Branch LLC, one of the bidders to develop the City’s Main Branch Library, came away from structural tests impressed by the Ocean Street building’s durability. The group proposes to build condos on top of the current building and their tests showed that the concrete-reinforced structure might provide a better foundation than the street below.
• If you see bags over the parking meters in front of the Florida Theater, it’s a good bet there are school kids inside. When school groups visit, the City closes off the meters on Forsyth between Ocean and Newnan so the sides of the road are clear. That makes it easier for drivers and pedestrians to see each other. The City did the same thing for the Super Bowl crowds.
• The cheapest gas in town? Could be the Ronnie’s Food Mart at Jones Road and U.S. 90. Buck ninety-nine a gallon as of Monday.
• Usually a mayor doesn’t have his portrait go up until he’s just about out office, but Mayor John Peyton’s likeness is already on the walls of the Mayor’s Office. Actually, it’s a caricature of him and a few kids touting his early literacy program. The only issue seemed to be how high to hang it.
• There were no concerts Monday morning at the Arena but there was a long line at the door anyway. Tickets for the October 24 Neil Diamond concert went on sale at 10 a.m. Monday and about 60 people waited eagerly to be the first to buy tickets for the event. Some people at the front of the line had been there since 9 a.m.
• Parking in San Marco may become less of an issue for frustrated business owners and would-be patrons. Though still in the very early stages, the San Marco Merchants Association is looking into establishing a valet parking service.
• Plans to refurbish the old Barnett Bank building on the corner of Laura and Adams Streets remain slow on the take. However, the group spearheading those efforts remains hopeful that something can be done. Langton and Associates have extended their option on the building while waiting for the Mayor’s Office to decide whether any public dollars will help fund the project. You’ll recall that two years ago they announced plans to convert the building into a mixed-use condominium/boutique hotel. A bank would likely operate on the first floor.
• The City is keeping a close watch on three large oaks in Hemming Plaza. A forester recently noticed the trees were shedding limbs more rapidly than normal. They’re not in any danger of being removed right now, but if their condition does not improve, the City will have to determine what needs to be done.
• Despite well-reported funding shortages and construction hiccups, work at the new Main Library is reportedly on track. The building is targeted to be substantially complete on June 30. But remember, it will still be another few weeks after that before it can open. During that time books and other materials will be moved in.
• Hendricks Avenue improvements are going well, according to the City’s Public Works Department. The program manager, River City Management Group, recently moved into offices in the area to keep an eye on things. They said the railroad ties discovered under the road last month will likely result in little more than a two week delay on the 18-month construction schedule.
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