by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Ivy Ultra Bar on East Bay Street was crowded Thursday evening with Downtown property owners, business owners and advocates. The gathering had two main items on the agenda: Downtown Vision, Inc.’s annual meeting and the 904 Magazine 2009 Best of Downtown Awards.
DVI Board Chair Jay Southerland began the proceedings with a review of DVI’s accomplishments over the past 12 months. He said the “Great Streets” program that installed hanging flower baskets along the First Wednesday Art Walk route was “a big idea with a little budget” but has proven to be an effective streetscape enhancement.
“The flower baskets are a small touch that has a big impact. It makes you feel at home,” he added.
Southerland also spoke of the Laura Street project that will go into high gear after the Florida-Georgia game. In addition to the street and sidewalk improvements underway by the City, DVI will contribute amenities like benches and foliage.
The “Creative Community” program is also beginning to bloom, he said, evidenced by the opening this month of two new artist’s venues, The Next Gallery on Laura Street in the Elks Building and Southlight Gallery on Forsyth Street next to the Jacksonville Bank.
Southerland also said the sidewalk beautification initiative will soon extend to the Southbank from Morton’s Steak House to the Museum of Science & History.
The new “Explore the More” campaign to market Downtown directly on the sidewalks was also unveiled. DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince said by Monday morning, 150 informational “bubbles” will have been applied to sidewalks throughout the Business Improvement District.
“We are always focused on things DVI can do to bring people Downtown,” said Southerland.
904 Magazine publisher Joe White then presented the 2009 “Best Of Downtown Awards” in 15 categories from Best Downtown Event to Hippest Nightlife Hotspot. He said even though the magazine’s offices are in Riverside, he felt recognizing excellence Downtown is appropriate because, “In any great city, its Downtown is what makes it great.”
Downtown Vision, Inc. Board chair Jay Southerland and John Welch, partner at Foley & Lardner and a former DVI Board member. Welch was honored for his contributions to the revitalization of Downtown.
Amy Crane, deputy director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, with Lyndsay Rossman, Visit Jacksonville director of corporate communications, and Experiencejax.com coordinator Susan Demato.
Jason and Joy Albertelli will be in line for next year’s Hippest Nightlife Hotspot Award. They are opening “Dos Gatos” on Forsyth Street across from the Florida Theatre this month.
Tony Allegretti and Marco Monroy from Burrito Gallery, which won awards in two categories this year.
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