Downtown Vision Inc. might have a heavier agenda soon, considering the mayor’s chief economic advisers say the move of EverBank Downtown will lead to more growth in the neighborhood.
“EverBank is the pied piper,” said Don Shea, executive director of the Jacksonville Civic Council, after a Downtown Vision board retreat.
“The velocity is quite enormous. There is a lot of activity circling Downtown,” he said at the retreat.
He and Jerry Mallot, president of JAXUSA Partnership, said EverBank’s move of 1,500 jobs Downtown will attract more companies to join the area.
They said EverBank changed the game and made moving Downtown viable.
The board of directors of Downtown Vision met for the retreat Thursday at the Skyline Conference Center at the Bank of America Tower.
New board members learned more about the nonprofit organization’s function and mission and the board discussed development of a plan for the evolution of Downtown’s tax-supported advocacy effort.
Mallot and Shea were the first presenters. Both are serving as advisers to Mayor Alvin Brown about economic and Downtown development.
Mallot said that while Downtown has endured its share of challenges in recent years, he’s glad to see the trend reversing.
“It’s great that all the conversation is upward,” he said. JAXUSA Partnership is the economic development division of the JAX Chamber.
Shea said that while it is premature to comment on specific prospects, there is “a lot of investment and potential investment” in the pipeline.
Shea said Brown’s restructuring of City government is designed to lead to cost savings and Brown has identified what he wants to do with the anticipated additional resources.
“The mayor’s goal is to use the lion’s share of the savings for economic development, specifically Downtown development,” he said.
Developer Ed Burr is the chairman of a JAX Chamber committee that is drafting legislation for the creation of a Downtown development agency.
Mallot said that legislation is expected to be introduced to City Council by March.
Speaking of DVI’s potential role in the new structure of urban renewal, Shea said the organization’s role will likely extend beyond the existing “clean and safe” initiatives.
He described the DVI of the future as “Downtown’s concierge,” charged with marketing and supporting more events to bring people Downtown.
Shea said the First Wednesday Art Walk has become a popular once-a-month activity, but it’s not enough.
“Art Walk is a starter, but Downtown needs an event every week,” he said.
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