by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Don Redman was elected to the City Council in 2007 to represent District 4, which includes Downtown. He is unopposed on the March 22 ballot and will begin his second term July 1.
Redman has owned and operated a barber shop for 40 years and has been an active member of First Baptist Church for more than 30 years, including serving as an usher for the past 27 years.
He serves on several community boards and committees, among them the Englewood High School Advisory Committee, which he chaired for five years.
Redman is an avid cyclist and has served on the Mayor’s Council on Fitness and Well-Being since he was appointed by former Mayor John Delaney. He has entered and finished every River Run.
Redman met with Downtown Today March 1 to talk about some of the issues facing the urban core in the next four years.
“Being Downtown’s council representative has been an experience,” said Redman.
He said since he was elected, he has become involved with Downtown Vision Inc. as a board member. He spends quite a bit of time talking to Downtown merchants and to people in the rest of his district about what they think would make them come Downtown.
“People don’t realize how safe it is Downtown. I think we’ve done a poor job educating people,” said Redman.
One of the issues that was much discussed before Redman took office is still near the top of the list today, the homeless population.
“I get complaints from merchants about people approaching their customers in front of their stores. I don’t know the answer, but I think if we can get people congregating and business booming Downtown, I think it would take care of itself,” said Redman.
He said he would support creating a day center for homeless people, a place with showers and telephones and computers. ”As long as the shelters are Downtown, we will have homeless people Downtown,” said Redman.
Commenting on the recent Jacksonville Civic Council Northbank Redevelopment Task Force report, Redman said he supports many of the recommendations, which include an independent Downtown Improvement Authority and a convention center.
“I think a new convention center would be a great idea, but with the economy the way it is, I don’t think it’s in the near future,” he said.
Redman supports the proposed convention center location near the Hyatt Downtown and also supports the proposal to build an amusement park at the Shipyards property and the extension of the Northbank Riverwalk to Metropolitan Park.
“That would be a great way to bring families Downtown. It would give people more to do than the entertainment district on Bay Street. As times get better, I think that would be something to look at,” he said.
When asked what methods of funding he would support for Downtown development, Redman said he’s “not in favor of any tax increase right now” because “businesses Downtown are hurting. Not the corporations with the office space, the small businesses on the sidewalk.”
Redman said he believes development will have to come through public-private partnerships. “We need people to invest in Downtown, but I think the only way the City should invest is through property tax breaks,” he said.
On the subject of creating a Downtown Improvement Authority with independent power and funding, Redman said he couldn’t support a plan that didn’t have “City Council oversight and checks and balances.”
He said the City should better publicize sporting events, bicycle races and running events, which bring people Downtown.
“But they’d have to run on those cobblestones. I was against them and I think they’re a problem. Runners trip on them and they’re dangerous for cyclists,” said Redman, referring to the pavers being installed near the Landing and up Laura Street to slow traffic.
When asked about what’s on his agenda for Downtown in his final four-year term in office, Redman said he’d like to see a focus on providing more entertainment options.
“We need more family-fun activities so people will bring their kids and grandkids Downtown. We need a movie theater and more family restaurants,” he said.
Redman also would like to see the St. Johns River used more as a Downtown attraction.
“I think we’re missing an opportunity by not promoting the river,” he said.
According to his City Council page on www.coj.net, Redman introduced one piece of legislation since he was elected, a 2008 resolution to declare the month of May as “Bike Month” in Jacksonville. He said the only legislation he has coming up is a resolution to legalize alligator hunting in Duval County.
Redman can be reached at 630-1394 or e-mail at [email protected].
356-2466