• Downtown Vision Inc. has launched its Downtown Jacksonville Blog to include the community in the discussion of ideas and solutions for Downtown revitalization efforts. The blog will address news and initiatives, advocacy issues, best practices and share success stories to educate and engage local residents. Story suggestions and comments are encouraged. Find the blog at downtownjacksonville.org/blog.
• The Beach Waterpark, a 35-acre property in Mason, Ohio, has announced that Adventure Holdings LLC, headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, would be the new operator for the park. Adventure Holdings, which operates 18 family entertainment centers, signed a long-term lease with an option to purchase the park and expects to make a significant investment in the facility to begin the 2013 season. Adventure Landing will reopen the park in May.
• The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to begin construction early next year on a new flyover at U.S. 1 in Nocatee. The road will cross over U.S. 1 and the Florida East Coast Railroad and shorten the drive between Nocatee and Interstate 95 by 3 miles. The two-lane flyover bridge will connect Nocatee’s Valley Ridge Boulevard to County Road 210 on the west side of U.S. 1. The $13 million project is expected to be completed in late 2014.
• The Jacksonville Bullies professional lacrosse team has announced the cancelation of Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The game was scheduled to be played against the New Jersey Rascals, which announced earlier in the season it would be going “dormant.” The remaining three teams in the Professional Lacrosse League have been replacing New Jersey with a team from Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse was unable to attend Saturday’s game. The Bullies will honor the remaining three games Oct. 19, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24. Season ticketholders will have the opportunity to attend an exhibition game, which will be determined later in the season. Individual tickets holders for Saturday’s game will receive entrance to any of the three remaining games. For more information on how to redeem tickets, call (904) 425-8905 or email [email protected].
• Humana Inc. has named Dr. John Montgomery as its new vice president and medical officer for its Florida commercial markets. In his new role, Montgomery is responsible for leading Humana’s clinical programs for its commercial lines of business throughout the state and will be based in Jacksonville. Montgomery has been with Humana since October 2010, serving as the company’s regional medical director for Florida and has been responsible for clinical policy and physician clinical review.
• Joel Lamp has joined the City of Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Office as manager of business development and communications. Lamp previously served as associate athletics director for external affairs at Jacksonville University.
• Taxslayer.com has renewed its partnership with the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned race team JR Motorsports. Earnhardt will return to the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl for the coin toss before the noon kickoff of the 2013 New Year’s Day college football game at EverBank Field.
• The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida’s annual meeting, “Healthcare Technology Evolution: Past, Present, Future,” will be 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Marriott at Southpoint, 4670 Salisbury Road. Registration is from 11:30 a.m.-noon, a health information technology expo is from 11 a.m.-noon and lunch is noon-1:30 p.m.
• Mayor Alvin Brown is highlighting recent improvements made at local businesses, nonprofits and City properties because of funding from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant. The $7.8 million U.S. Department of Energy grant was awarded to Jacksonville in 2010. The program was aimed at helping businesses and nonprofits become more energy efficient and save money. The Museum of Science & History was allocated $70,271 from the grant, which already is saving MOSH an estimated $27,000 annually through an upgraded energy management system, the retrofitting of lighting with new generation LED lights and occupancy sensors. The Ed Ball Building, City Hall at St. James, Main Library and multiple City parks also benefited from the upgrades. Improvements included energy efficient lighting, HVAC retrofits and energy management systems. Other area businesses that received grant funds include the Wells Fargo building, the EverBank Center building, the Suddath building, Gate Riverplace Tower and the Hyatt Downtown. Improvements facilities included energy efficient lighting in parking decks, energy efficient sealing of entryways, daylight controls and variable drive cooling tower fans. The grant also funded about 350 solar meters Downtown, which have been active since mid-2011.
• WJCT has promoted Karen Feagins to director of programming and production. In her new role, she is responsible for strategically developing, overseeing and providing continuity for all non-news programming, promotion and content in WJCT’s multi-platform environment. Feagins joined WJCT in 2005 and has filled different roles in broadcasting including on-air hosting and reporting duties, writing, directing and producing.