After hearing the final results of a Hemming Plaza survey conducted by Downtown Vision Inc., City Council member Denise Lee, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Hemming Plaza, called for development of a formal Request for Proposals for managing and scheduling events at the plaza to be drafted for consideration for issuance by the full Council.
Lee’s call for an RFP came during the 9th meeting of the committee, which first convened Sept. 28. The request was supported by Council members Bill Gulliford and Don Redman.
DVI collected 1,654 email responses to a comprehensive questionnaire concerning park usage as well as amenities and activities desired by park users and potential users. The survey also gathered demographic data on the respondents.
DVI Marketing Director Katherine Hardwick said 1,424 respondents answered all the questions on the survey, 858 live or work within four blocks of the plaza and the results represent a 95 percent “level of confidence.”
She said the survey was sent to DVI’s database of Downtown property and business owners, City employees and JEA employees. It also was made available on some local blogs.
The survey indicates that 68 percent of respondents who live or work within four blocks use the park a few times a year or less and spend less than an hour in the park per trip.
Among the close proximity group, 45 percent said they visit the park to attend an event and 40 percent said to eat a meal. Thirty-five percent responded they visit the park to relax.
Hardwick said concerning improvements respondents would like to see put in place at Hemming Plaza, better security topped the list, followed by making the park cleaner and adding more food vendors and events.
The survey offered the opportunity for respondents to make comments in addition to responding to traditional multiple-choice questions.
The survey indicated that 70 percent of people who responded are not interested in removing all of the tables and chairs in the park and 56 percent are not interested in adding moveable furniture.
Hardwick said 76 percent of the comments submitted related to “removing the existing people” and disruptive behavior from Hemming Plaza.
“All the survey did was reinforce what I’ve heard at a number of meetings. People want clean and safe and events,” said Council member Bill Gulliford.
“We are fast approaching what I believe to be a solution,” said Lee, who then proposed the development of an RFP to identify a vendor that could work with the City to schedule and manage events and provide for security at Hemming Plaza.
“The department of recreation is responsible for the park but it’s apparent to me they need help,” Lee said.
Assistant General Counsel Jason Teal said an RFP would serve to define duties and authority in the park.
Jim Bailey, publisher of the Financial News & Daily Record, was called by Lee to address the committee. He compared the proposed RFP to a similar request made several years ago by the City to allow a single vendor to operate water taxis Downtown under requirements for service and performance.
Bailey volunteered to work with Teal to develop language for a proposed RFP.
“We know what we need to do. Are we going to do it?” said Gulliford.
When it was suggested that the City’s Office of Special Events could schedule and manage programming at the park, Lee said Mayor Alvin Brown appointed a new director for the department Monday.
“I don’t know if they have experience with special events. I don’t think they do,” she said.
Lee asked if DVI had any input into the issue.
“We believe programming is key and it’s important to maintain the tree canopy. That’s about it,” said Hardwick.
Lee said she would schedule one more meeting of the committee at 10 a.m. April 18 in the Don Davis Room at City Hall.
The findings of the business and property owner subcommittee will be reviewed, including recommendations concerning park design, activities and enforcement of park rules. Those findings will be included in the ad hoc committee’s report to the Council president, she said.
“We will all agree and sleep better because we got something done by working together,” Lee said.
356-2466