by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Downtown Vision Inc. released its annual report Wednesday for fiscal 2009-10.
The 501(c)6 organization is primarily funded by an additional ad valorem tax assessment levied upon Downtown property owners in a 90-block neighborhood bounded by Prudential Drive to the south, Broad Street to the west, Church Street to the north and Market Street to the east.
DVI recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Here are some highlights from the report.
• DVI outsourced the Ambassador Program to Service Group Inc., which provides cleanliness, safety and hospitality services to more than 20 other downtowns. The City contracted with Downtown Vision to provide two additional cleaners for Downtown. As a result, services have been expanded, including litter and graffiti removal, weed and tree fall abatement, pressure washing and cleaning of public fixtures. Also expanded is the frequency of safety and hospitality patrols. “The contract has resulted in a better trained, equipped and managed work force that provides a higher level of service,” according to the report.
In fiscal 2009-10, Downtown Ambassadors:
• Removed more than 14 tons of litter from sidewalks.
• Removed 298 graffiti tags from public property and infrastructure.
• Pressure washed more than 200 block faces.
• Removed more than two tons of leaves, acorns and weeds from sidewalks.
• Maintained and watered 70 hanging flower baskets in the district.
• Reported and/or resolved more than 700 instances of nuisance activity (panhandling, open container violations, etc.).
• Provided more than 8,000 miles of bicycle and Segway patrols of the district and 129 safety escorts upon request. Provided nearly 200 umbrella escorts in the rain. Provided directions or assistance to more than 10,000 people.
• Reported more than 300 instances of property damage or safety hazards to the appropriate agency for resolution.
• Reported more than 300 broken street lights to JEA for repair.
Also cited in the annual report:
• DVI released a white paper, “Turning the Corner: Rethinking and Remaking Downtown,” which outlines eight principles necessary to move Downtown forward. Focusing activities and investment in the core of Downtown is chief among the principles, which also address funding, leadership, maintenance, parking and other issues. A copy of the white paper is available at www.downtownjacksonville.org.
• DVI continued to work with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Downtown property owners to partner artists with owners of vacant retail spaces through the “Off the Grid” program, which matches property owners with vacant space with artists seeking working and exhibit space.
• DVI continued to partner with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Civic Council, NAIOP and others to work toward growing Downtown in terms of reducing office vacancy.
• DVI worked with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to ensure the new Downtown bus shelters were designed to reduce nuisance activity by including solar lighting, increasing transparency and improving maintenance.
• Working with the proprietors in the area, DVI branded the nightlife district as “The Core” and produced four promotions to bring additional patrons Downtown. On average, participating bars reported a 20-25 percent increase in revenue during the summer promotion.
• Responded to more than 2,600 requests for information, service or assistance from Downtown stakeholders, including requests for statistical data and market information.
• Sent 90 e-mails to stakeholders and supporters with information on Downtown development, retail, events, parking and safety.
• First Wednesday Art Walk continued to expand, attracting 5,000-6,000 patrons per month to more than 40 Downtown venues. “Movies in the Park” brought more than 2,500 visitors to Treaty Oak for free, family friendly movies on the Southbank.
• Received more than 600 requests to promote Downtown events via an online events calendar and sent biweekly events e-mails promoting Downtown events.
• Expanded social media outreach and use of Facebook and Twitter features to collectively reach 4,000 users.
“A lot of good things have happened. We’ve been working hard to focus energy and attraction to Downtown businesses. People tell us they love to see the higher level of services provided by the Ambassadors.
“The organization continues to evolve,” said Terry Lorince, DVI executive director.
For a copy of the complete annual report, call DVI at 634-0303.
356-2466