by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Every once in a while, it’s good to do something a little different.
In the case of the Downtown Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s decision to have a luncheon meeting instead of breakfast, “once in a while” is longer than anyone can remember.
As members and guests gathered Friday at the University Club high atop Riverplace Tower on the Southbank, some of the council’s longest-standing members tried unsuccessfully to remember the last time the group broke bread together other than at breakfast.
When the Downtown Council was founded in the late 1950s, it met for lunches at one of Downtown’s grand hotels, including the George Washington (since demolished) or the Roosevelt (now The Carling apartments). The council disbanded for a period of time years later and when it was revived, the tradition of biweekly breakfast meetings began.
Downtown Council President Pat Geer said the change of venue last week resulted in twice as many people attending compared to the average.
“But that may have been because of the speaker,” said Geer.
Chamber Chair Hugh Greene introduced Preston Haskell, who chaired the Jacksonville Civic Council Northbank Redevelopment Task Force and presented the group’s recommendations concerning Downtown revitalization.
Geer said he’s received favorable comments about the change from breakfast to lunch. The council has scheduled its April 1 meeting for 11:30 a.m. when Mayor John Peyton has been invited to speak at a location to be determined.
The board will then consider how to proceed, possibly alternating with lunch on the first Friday of each month and breakfast the third Friday.
The Downtown Council’s next meeting is 7:30 a.m. March 18 at Currents Riverview Bistro in the Aetna Building on Prudential Drive. Times-Union columnist Abel Harding has been invited to discuss Duval County’s Unitary First Election for mayor, City Council and constitutional officers.
For membership details and other information, visit www.downtowncouncil.org.
356-2466