They dug into the weeds and are emerging with a recommendation for Mayor Lenny Curry to consider a new or expanded convention center.
In fact, the word “expanded” was debated by Curry’s transition subcommittee members for economic development because many advocate for a new one rather than an enlarged Prime Osborn Convention Center.
“There’s a lot of passion about the opportunities that a new or expanded convention center would bring,” said subcommittee Chair John Delaney, president of the University of North Florida and a former mayor, after the meeting.
He said the group’s consensus appears to be a new Downtown waterfront center.
Several members said during the meeting the Prime Osborn could continue focusing on regional and local trade shows and events.
“We’re going to have a new convention center in Jacksonville someday,” Delaney said during the meeting, emphasizing “someday.”
Funding for an estimated potential $200 million to $500 million project was not addressed, although a few members said in previous meetings there were alternative funding methods.
Members will fine-tune the recommendation for a convention center to mirror one by the Jacksonville Civic Council’s 2011 Northbank Redevelopment Task Force.
It’s not clear if the committee will recommend a specific site. The Civic Council report suggested the old courthouse and City Hall Annex site next to the 963-room Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel. There is not a hotel near the Prime Osborn.
In addition, the convention center recommendation will explain that it would serve as an anchor on the waterfront and provide jobs.
The group also focused on a “right-sized” center rather than suggest a specific size.
Aundra Wallace, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority, said an updated market study about a convention center is due in mid-October. He said research indicates when convention planners are asked which location would be preferred, “the waterfront convention center will always win out over where we currently are right now.”
The group also discussed that convention-generated jobs, admittedly low wage for the most part, would provide employment for many people who need work in the Downtown area.
City and state incentives have focused on creating high-wage jobs or high capital investment projects. Adding new programs to provide taxpayer assistance to create lower-wage jobs is a departure from traditional city and state deals.
Adding incentives to create lower-wage jobs also has been a consensus among members, citing the sociological and community benefits to bringing employment to distressed areas.
“We have really redefined what economic development is, and that’s big. That’s a real big issue in Jacksonville,” said member Ginny Myrick, a former City Council member.
Myrick runs the Myrick Policy Group government relations firm and works with clients on incentives requests.
The subcommittee met for the eighth time Thursday. It was scheduled to be the last meeting, but Delaney will call a wrap-up session next week.
Members are asked to provide their suggested changes and updates so the final document can be approved then.
Other major recommendations include:
• Maintain the economic-development operational structure of the mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Downtown Investment Authority, the mayor’s Office of Sports and Entertainment, the Jacksonville Sports Council and JAX Chamber.
• Maintain city support and monitoring of long-term high-profile projects, such as the port, shipyards, Community Wealth Building, Cecil Commerce Center and the Global Cities Export Plan.
• Establish a scorecard for economic development deals that receive city incentives and a system to monitor them.
• Develop an asset-mapping and management system to identify unused or underused city properties.
• Support Downtown economic development and the redevelopment master plan.
• Evaluate and implement a plan to accelerate permitting and regulatory review.
Curry spokesman Bill Spann said the transition subcommittee reports are due July 17. Once all are in, there will be a group meeting at which the subcommittee chairs will present their recommendations to Curry and his executive staff.
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