Jacksonville Civic Council Executive Director Don Shea has transitioned back into that role full time, largely stepping aside from the executive-on-loan position to Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration he has served as for the past year.
In a letter dated Monday, Shea clarified his position and alludes to a May 16 conversation with Brown about the transition and said he would continue to be available to the administration “on an as-needed basis.”
“I think the best way for me to serve Jacksonville is to continue to serve through the Civic Council,” Shea said late Monday.
The letter also stated his intention to not be considered a candidate for the CEO of the proposed Downtown Investment Authority, but would assist in finding the right candidate. The legislation that would create the Downtown-focused economic development entity is being rewritten before again being proposed to Council.
When asked if that included potentially being one of the members of the nine-member board that was a part of the originally proposed structure, Shea said he had not thought of the idea and would consider if the situation presented itself.
Shea said the original idea was for he and JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot to be loaned to the administration part time for six months, which has now stretched to a year.
Though he has returned to the Civic Council full time, Shea said he would still be happy to assist the administration on economic development projects Downtown and on a case-by-case basis to “keep the conversation going.”
“Further, I am eager to provide ongoing support and recommendations to your administration, to the City Council, and to the proposed DIA once it is formed and operational,” the letter said.
Back full time, Shea said the Civic Council will continue its work and focus on several areas for community improvement, such as promoting qualified candidates for the upcoming Duval County School Board races, identifying factors to assist the area’s medical and life sciences industries and studying the City’s pension problems for potential solutions.
Mallot is in Spain for an economic development trip and will return later this week.
Lisa Daniel, JAX Chamber spokeswoman, said she was unaware of conversation regarding Mallot’s on-loan status or if a similar letter was sent to the mayor.
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