Downtown Jacksonville advocate Laura Phillips Edgecombe is joining Downtown Vision Inc. in a new position in which she will work with investors, government leaders and others to support growth in the community’s historic core.
DVI announced in an April 10 news release that it appointed Edgecombe as vice president of urban systems. As described in the release, Edgecombe will be expected to work with the mayor’s office, City Council, Downtown Investment Authority, private developers, property owners, philanthropic organizations and others to “help align public, private and civic investments toward a unified vision for Downtown growth.”
Edgecombe’s previous roles included principal for Downtown open spaces for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and co-founder of Build Up Downtown. She is the immediate past president of the JAX Chamber Downtown Council board and a member of The Florida Theatre’s board.
Jake Gordon, DVI CEO, said in the release that the position was created based on a need to “ensure the right investments, partnerships and people are all working together toward the same goal.” The release said Edgecombe’s experience includes cultivating public-private partnerships, advancing large-scale projects and working across business, civic and philanthropic sectors.
“Laura is one of the local pioneers in this work already, making her the perfect person to lead this work for Downtown Vision,” Gordon said.
Edgecombe said in the release that there is “meaningful momentum across the Downtown landscape, and the priority now is aligning the people, places, policies and partnerships behind it to ensure long-term success.”
Alex Sifakis, president of JWB Real Estate Capital, said Downtown needs a coordinated effort to continue its growth. Sifakis’ company is a partner in the $2 billion-plus Gateway Jax Downtown development project and recently moved its offices to The Greenleaf building at Laura and Adams streets, which JWB renovated.
“Private investment alone doesn’t create a thriving downtown. It takes alignment across public, private and civic stakeholders to ensure the pieces come together in a meaningful way. Laura understands that work deeply, and having her in this role at Downtown Vision gives developers like us a trusted partner who can help connect the dots and move the vision forward,” he said.