Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has appointed a landscape architect and a nursing professional to succeed members of the Downtown Development Review Board.
The appointments of Ivy Henderson, director of Housing and Real Estate Development for LIFT JAX, and Ivan Mote, a registered nurse at Riverside Endoscopy Center, are subject to confirmation by Jacksonville City Council.
Henderson would replace DDRB member Joseph Loretta for a partial term to expire June 30, 2026, followed by a full, two-year term. Deegan made her appointment through Resolution 2026-0339.
Mote, appointed through Resolution 2026-0342, would replace VyStar lobbyist Matt Brockelman, also for a partial term set to expire in June 2026 followed by a two-year term.
The DDRB, which essentially serves as the planning commission for Downtown, comprises nine voting members. Under the board’s bylaws, members must include two architects; one landscape architect; a contractor, developer or Realtor who performs work within Downtown; three Downtown property owners, owners of businesses or full-time employees of a business or professional office in Downtown; and two urban planners.
Henderson is a landscape architect. Mote is identified in the city legislation as a property owner representative.
According to her resume, Henderson is a former park planner and designer for the city of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. LIFT JAX is a nonprofit that advocates for the Eastside neighborhood, where Henderson resides.
Henderson’s full name is Gayandrial Ivy Henderson, as shown on her resume.
Mote’s resume identifies him as a visiting professor at the Chamberlain University School of Nursing in addition to his role as a post-anesthesia nurse at Riverside Endoscopy Center at 2151 Riverside Ave, Suite 1.
His previous positions include assistant professor of nursing at Jacksonville University, chief safety officer for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and division chief in the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
The resolutions for the appointments are scheduled to be introduced to Council on April 28, then are expected before Council committees the first week of May.
The mayor’s office is responsible for making all appointments to the board.
Brockelman and Loretta have served more than one term. Brockelman is a former board chair.
Loretta is the deputy practice leader for planning and landscape architecture for Halff Inc.