To borrow from James Montgomery Flagg’s iconic, “Uncle Sam Wants You,” the 1917 U.S. Army recruiting poster, “Downtown Vision Wants You” to join the new “Downtown Vision Alliance.”
Downtown Vision Executive Director Terry Lorince said the alliance is a “grassroots push to build an army of supporters for Downtown.”
The Downtown Vision Alliance is a vehicle for DVI to reach out to the community for support and more engage the community in Downtown, she said.
Membership levels range from $20 for an individual to $500 to be a “Downtown Enthusiast.”
Benefits of membership include invitations to special events and promotions and email alerts to “keep you in the know” about Downtown, according to the membership application available on DVI’s website.
Other benefits listed are opportunities to receive special offers from local merchants, restaurants and cultural venues and recognition in DVI’s annual report and State of Downtown Report, also published annually.
“We’re looking at giving members more value and enhancing the value of what DVI does,” said Lorince.
Since the program is new, there are no goals for the public’s
level of participation and the members will decide what type of events they would like to attend, she said.
Happy hours at Downtown venues and “meet and greets” patterned after similar events hosted by Riverside Avondale Preservation and Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council are possibilities.
“Whenever I speak to groups, I hear they want to become more involved Downtown. The volunteer base will help shape the outcome of the program,” said Lorince.
Recruiting paying members will add to DVI’s budget – $1.3 million annually from an additional as valorem tax assessed on Downtown properties and a contribution from the city general fund.
Lorince said what the dues will specifically supports also will be decided by members of the alliance.
Initiatives to make Downtown cleaner and more attractive would be a likely activity, such as the project set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday when volunteers will plant new landscaping in Hemming Plaza. That project is funded using $10,000 from a $25,000 grant from Wells Fargo with the assistance of Greenscape of Jacksonville and the Late Bloomers Garden Club.
Lorince said the anticipated “army” will be mobilized whenever an issue affecting Downtown is before the City Council.
“We are hoping the group will help us in our advocacy positions,” she said.
Membership levels are: Individual, $20; Downtown Champion, $100; Downtown Visionary, $250; and Downtown Enthusiast, $500.
For more information and a membership form, visit downtownjacksonville.org.
(904) 356-2466