by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
In the late 1950s, Jacksonville was a city on its way to becoming a center of business in the Southeast. The Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce (now the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce) was the driving force behind economic development.
In an effort to focus on specific issues and areas, separate “councils” were founded within the Chamber, and since the City limits and center of business activity in those days were located almost exclusively Downtown, the Downtown Council was established in 1958.
A small group of businessmen began implementing their ideas about how to make Downtown more appealing to those who lived in other areas of Duval County. They purchased electric holiday lights that were installed on Downtown lamp posts after Thanksgiving. They negotiated with the Jacksonville Coach Company (the privately owned mass transit provider at the time) to begin the “Downtowner.” It was a free shuttle bus that carried shoppers from their parking places at the municipal lot (where the Landing now stands) to the department and specialty stores Downtown. They even installed Jacksonville’s first bus shelters to protect riders from the elements while they waited for the shuttle.
Fast forward to 2010 and the Downtown Council is still maintaining the tradition of promoting the urban core to people who live in the suburbs. While most members don’t own businesses or work Downtown, they share an appreciation for what the city’s center has to offer. Some are even members of the other seven councils that followed the original as the city and its business community grew.
Jepp Walter, 2009-10 Downtown Council president, is also president of Jepp Tec Computer and Web Services which is located on the Southside. He visited several different councils before he joined the Downtown group in 2003.
“I have made a lot of friends and gained a lot of exposure which has led to more business. Potential clients feel confident hiring my company when they know I’m a Downtown Council member,” he said.
Jerry Jeakle is a CPA at Hartman Blitch and Gartside. He’s been a Downtown Council member since 2000 and treasurer since 2002. When he joined, the firm was located Downtown but has since moved to an office on Atlantic Boulevard.
“I enjoy doing things for Downtown,” he said. “What really got me hooked was all the things the Downtown Council has developed.”
The Downtown Council sponsored the Hard Hat Loft Tours that introduced the opportunities for urban core residency in the late 1990s. It sponsored festivals at Hemming Plaza and a Skyway tour, among other events.
“The corporate art tour we did is what led to the Art Walk,” said Joe Snowberger, who joined Downtown Council in 2000 after he retired from the U.S. Navy.
“We’re always looking for new ways to share Downtown with people who live in the suburbs. I’ve also gotten two great jobs through Downtown Council,” said Snowberger, who’s a project manager at PRC Digital Media, a production company owned by Downtown Council Past President Ray Hays.
“Our Downtown enhancement projects have been good for the entire community,” said Diantha Grant, executive director of the St. Johns River City Band and a past president of Downtown Council.
The group meets the first and third Fridays of each month for breakfast at Currents Riverfront Bistro in the Aetna Building on the Southbank. In addition to fellowship, networking, a buffet and a cup of coffee, there’s always a guest speaker.
Friday’s guest was JEA CEO and Managing Director Jim Dickenson. He explained the public utility’s role in providing electricity, water and sewer service to residents and businesses on North Florida. After each speaker’s presentation, there’s time for a few questions, which gives Downtown Council members access to community and business leaders in an environment where they can respond frankly.
For example, when asked if he thinks the mayor might try to balance the City’s budget by increasing JEA’s contributions to the City’s coffers, Dickenson responded that the fees and charges JEA collects through utilities bills that are automatically moved to the City’s accounts amounted to $217 million last year, about 22 percent of the City’s budget.
Then he added, “Remember that if the City looks to JEA, they’re looking to you.”
The next Downtown Council meeting is April 16 at 7:30 a.m. Jerry Mallot, executive vice president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and president of the Cornerstone Economic Development Partnership, is scheduled to speak to the council.
For more information, visit www.downtowncouncil.org.
JEA CEO and Managing Director Jim Dickenson was the guest speaker Friday at Downtown Council. He signed a book that will be donated by the council to the library at Landon Middle School.
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