by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Anna Valent, vice president of operations for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, is on the agenda for today’s meeting of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s Downtown Development Review Board.
She will present a plan being considered by the chamber to renovate its headquarters at the north end of the Main Street Bridge.
“One can argue the chamber property is the front door of Downtown. Jacksonville’s Downtown needs a new front door,” says the presentation.
The presentation points out that the chamber “is not in a financial position to renovate the property on its own.”
That’s why the chamber is considering a campaign to “encourage architects and designers to be inspired by the future of Jacksonville and have his or her name recognized as the designer of Jacksonville’s new front door.”
The “vision for the space” includes that “visitors should understand clearly where to park and where to enter the building” and “the landscaping should be multifunctional and welcoming while deterring the homeless from living on the yard.”
The presentation states that the competition would be limited to chamber members and the prize will consist of publicity through the chamber’s website, publications and events.
A committee would evaluate the entries and determine the winner.
Its members would include Chamber Chair Hugh Greene, Chair-elect Tom Van Berkel, and chamber President Wally Lee, among others.
Also contributing to the final selection process would be majority votes among chamber directors, members, staff and the general public.
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