Downtown Vision Inc. honored six people working on Downtown Jacksonville revitalization at the ninth annual DTJAX Awards on Nov. 30 at The Lark.
It gave awards to individuals and companies that have made an impact on vitality and growth.
Downtown Vision is Jacksonville’s Downtown business advocacy nonprofit.
The winners were:
• Downtown Ambassador of the Year: Potrena Jones
• Downtowner of the Year: Kay Ehas of Groundwork Jacksonville
• Retail Project of the Year: Setlan Coffee Co.
• Downtown Project of the Year: The Fuller Warren Bridge Shared Use Path
• Downtown Achievement Award: Alex Sifakis, president and founder of JWB Real Estate Capital
• Small Business of the Year: Wolf and Cub, Emily Moody
The Downtown Ambassadors comprise DVI employees whose job is to not only beautify Downtown but offer directions and advice to visitors as well.
Groundwork Jacksonville is developing the 30-mile Emerald Trail park project that, when completed, will connect 14 urban neighborhoods to Downtown.
The Fuller Warren Bridge Shared Use Path is a Florida Department of Transportation project allowing for a bike path to be constructed on an interstate highway connecting Riverside and San Marco.
Wolf and Cub, owned by Moody, is a gift and clothing store at 205 N. Laura St.
Sifakis, president and founder of JWB Real Estate Capital, is a developer of several projects Downtown.
Starting with the purchase of the Sweet Pete’s building in 2019, his company has refurbished such Jacksonville landmarks as the Federal Reserve Building; 218 Church St. (the former Baptist Convention Building); the Porter House mansion; and Johnson Commons.
Sifakis is a partner in Gateway Jax project scheduled to break ground in early 2024. Its boundaries are Union, Julia, Church and Clay streets.
The first phase is a housing and retail site called the Pearl Street District. The $500 million project will cover five city blocks, have 1,100 apartment units, a 120,000-square-foot grocery store, space for other retail and restaurants and parking.