by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
As the newest face on the City’s Design Review Committee, Rose Zurawski brings an architect’s eye for detail to the City’s permitting process.
The DRC is charged with making sure every structure built downtown conforms to the City’s master plan. From skyscrapers to bus benches, nothing gets built downtown without the DRC’s nod of approval. As president of the Jacksonville office of JSA Architects, the committee work comes naturally for Zurawski.
“I’m used to reviewing the designs, so it’s in line with what I do for a living,” said Zurawski.
JSA’s local office focuses much of its work designing health care and educational facilities and private housing for the military. But the firm’s design work is on display in a couple of downtown buildings. JSA designed its own offices in LaVilla and the Nolan Building on E. Bay Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard.
Both buildings sport the red brick look that’s becoming a downtown trademark. That’s not by accident. The area’s master plan calls for brick construction when and where it’s possible.
Making sure new construction fits those guidelines is the DRC’s mission. The committee was created after the downtown Hyatt — then the Adam’s Mark — opened to less-than-enthusiastic architectural reviews.
It’s not the intent of the master plan or the DRC to handcuff developers, said Zurawski. Rather, the idea is to create a recognizable, appealing downtown design environment.
“It’s not the intent to put a burden on a developer to use a certain kind of material or build in a certain way,” said Zurawski. “We work with what the developers propose and look at it from our perspective, which is formed by our experience in the industry.”
With downtown development accelerating its pace, the DRC’s workload is growing every day. Although there’s been plenty of talk about streamlining the City’s various committees under the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the DRC looks like a safe bet to survive the commission’s ongoing restructuring.
JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton told the Downtown Development Authority in September that the DRC was secure, due to its role as a required stop on the City’s permitting process. Barton said he wanted to take steps to visually spruce up downtown.
“It’s not a terribly pretty downtown. That’s okay,” he said. “There are things we can do. Aggressive streetscaping can help create a walkable environment.”
Zurawski said some of downtown’s recent additions are helping improve that environment. She gives thumbs up to the buildings added as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. The refurbished St. James Building that now serves as City Hall is a favorite.
“I like the ornate entrances and I really appreciate the level of detail in the design,” she said.
As more downtown housing comes on line, Zurawski sees a need for downtown to attract more service businesses to give those new residents a place to eat, drink, shop and park. Zurawski will keep an eye on all of it from her seat on the DRC.
“I think it’s wonderful to see the growth and excitement in Jacksonville,” she said. “Now we’re going to need the service ventures to support the housing. I’d love to see a downtown department store or a tea room in Jacksonville. You can incorporate good design into any kind of building.”