Jacksonville Civic Council Executive Director Don Shea said he sees signs Downtown is coming to be regarded as a "viable business opportunity for the future."
Shea, a board member of the City's Downtown Investment Authority, was the keynote speaker Monday at the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
He said 220 Riverside, the new residential development along Riverside Avenue, could be the beginning of a transformation.
"The biggest issue for Downtown development is investor confidence. We have quite a bit of latent investment –– there are those who want to see others be successful before they enter the market," said Shea.
He described 220 Riverside as "the first of a floodgate" of Downtown residential projects. It broke ground Nov. 13 and has an August 2014 anticipated completion date.
"That project will make people take notice of the development opportunities Downtown," he said.
He also talked about the council's progress.
Since being formed in 2010, it has grown from 50 to more than 60 members and its purpose and focus has remained constant, he said.
"It's the private side of public-private partnerships; where the private sector meets public policy. Our focus is the long-term betterment of the community," Shea said.
That focus is on six areas, which includes Downtown revitalization and the City budget, particularly the unfunded pension liability.
Shea said the group was gratified that many of its recommendations have been adopted by Mayor Alvin Brown, who introduced a pension reform plan Oct. 29.
"I'm proud to say the plan unveiled by the mayor was due largely to the work done by the Civic Council," Shea said.
Other areas of focus for the council are public education, race relations, further development of the medical and life science industries and "saving the Jaguars," which is an "important community concern," Shea said.
"The only thing you can do to save the Jaguars is to win some games," he said.
The Downtown authority has already taken a position on the necessity to streamline Jacksonville's economic development process as it applies to potential new employers and relocations.
Shea said the City has been operating with a "20th-century model in the 21st century."
He also said while the JAX Chamber has been successful in recruiting prospective businesses, the City's process for closing incentive agreements is cumbersome compared to competing cities such as Nashville and Charlotte, N.C.
He said other items on the authority's agenda are preservation of historic buildings, leasing vacant office space, expanding Downtown's residential inventory and finding ways to "liven up Downtown" with a calendar of events that will attract more people.
"Downtowns aren't successful by accident. Someone has to be responsible and we need as many advocates as we can get," said Shea.
Asked about the possibility of building a new convention center Downtown, Shea said the council supports that action and a new convention center will be on the authority's agenda.
"It would be foolish to build one like there is in Chicago or New Orleans. It has to be the right size," he said.
Shea said the best location for a new convention center would be adjacent to the Hyatt, which would be the host hotel for the center.
Another issue would be to enhance the retail and dining options near any proposed convention center.
"We have to have something for delegates to do after convention hours," said Shea.
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