New Public Art and BARGE Event Series Will Help Activate Downtown

Adding to the exciting wave of Downtown renewal, the new, improved Southbank Riverwalk opened today with an event at Friendship Fountain. Mayor Alvin Brown, Council President Clay Yarborough, Councilmembers Warren Jones, John Crescimbeni and Don Redman, and other city leaders announced new features and opportunities in celebration of the opening of this renovated Downtown centerpiece.
 
“This newly redesigned Southbank Riverwalk will add even more momentum to our Downtown riverfront and serve as a destination for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Brown. “This new 4,000-foot Riverwalk provides a unique experience for the public to enjoy our treasured St. Johns River, and represents a great investment in the quality of life and future of our community.”
 
Originally constructed in 1985, the Southbank Riverwalk was reconstructed during an 18-month design-build project led by the Haskell Company, in partnership with CH2MHill and Flagg Design. The $17 million project replaced the aging wood structure with a concrete path on the river, featuring colorful paver bricks. 

"The Riverwalk is a great asset,” said Council President Clay Yarborough. “I'm thankful the project is finished so that our residents and visitors can enjoy the river and Downtown from this venue once again."

Ordinance 2014-560 Empowers the DIA to Accomplish Key Downtown Projects 

Mayor Alvin Brown signed Ordinance 2014-560 into law Tuesday during the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) board meeting, authorizing the DIA to be the community redevelopment agency for Downtown.  The legislation empowers the DIA to move important projects forward, such as redevelopment of the Shipyards, and The Jacksonville Landing.
 
“Downtown Jacksonville is on the move, and we’ve seen great progress over the past few years,” said Mayor Brown. “With today’s bill signing, the DIA is now the full-fledged engine for Downtown Jacksonville that will drive more jobs, residents and investment in our urban core and revitalize the heart of our city and Northeast Florida.”

View the legislative summary for Ordinance 2014-560.

Building on major new investments by Jacksonville University, Mayor Alvin Brown was joined today by City Council members and Jacksonville University President Tim Cost to announce that the City’s Renew Jax initiative will expand to the Arlington area.  Launched by Mayor Brown in November 2014, Renew Jax is designed to empower and revitalize key Jacksonville neighborhoods and corridors through public-private partnerships.

View the Renew Arlington Fact Sheet

“Arlington is a community that’s ready for a turnaround,” said Mayor Brown.  “It’s a neighborhood with a great past and I believe it can look forward to a great future.  By leveraging public and private investments, we will create new business and job opportunities along with a safer, more vibrant environment for everyone in Arlington.”

Next Step for Renew Jax & Youth Initiatives Focuses on Keeping Young People Out of Trouble

Building on his Renew Jax and Youth initiatives launched last year, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown today announced a comprehensive series of crime prevention and intervention strategies that involve faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, parks, youth sports, law enforcement and the juvenile justice system working together to help keep Jacksonville’s young people out of trouble. 

Crime Prevention & Intervention Initiatives Fact Sheet | Watch video from Mayor Brown's speech

“Effective law enforcement is necessary to stop crime,” said Mayor Brown. “But we also know that our community is safest when we prevent crime from happening in the first place. The best way to do that is by all of us working together to provide our children and young people with the positive opportunities and support they need to thrive and follow the right path in life.”

Public Technology Institute Recognizes Jacksonville for High Standards in Citizen Participation, Service Delivery

The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has designated Jacksonville as a “Citizen-Engaged Community”, one of 18 city or county governments nationwide to be recognized for its best practices in engaging citizens through customer service centers, such as the one Jacksonville operates through 630-CITY.
           
Communities’ applications were reviewed for excellence in several areas for their contact centers, including citizen participation processes, integrated communication channels, integrated technology, and performance reporting.

Due to unfortunate events involving law enforcement officers and firefighters throughout our City these past few days and weeks, Council Member Matt Schellenberg called for a press conference where nine other members joined him to show appreciation to the thousands of first responders serving the City of Jacksonville by honoring their charge to protect and serve.

The Jed Fund, Anonymous Donation Will Cover Cost of Equipment
 
Thanks to a private donation and a fundraising campaign launched Dec. 1 by the Jed Fund, Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) will be the recipient of a critically-needed X-ray machine. After an initial donation of $32,000 from an anonymous donor, a capital campaign led by the Jed Fund raised an additional $32,003 to cover the remaining cost of the machine. 
 
“The Jed Fund is an inspiring example of what we can achieve as a community when we work together,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “Efforts such as this one are part of what drives Jacksonville’s success as city.”  

Report Finds Regional Companies That Export Grow Dramatically Faster

Today, the Jacksonville/Northeast Florida Metropolitan Region released an export market assessment, a critical step in the development of a regional export strategy. This strategy is part of JAX/Northeast Florida’s participation in the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase. Mayor Alvin Brown formed the Metro Jacksonville Global Cities team in 2013 after Jacksonville was selected as one of eight metro areas to join the new export exchange network.  The market assessment evaluates the region’s current export economy and its potential for growth.

In accordance with Ordinance 2005-361-E, the second Committee week and City Council meeting in the month of December are suspended due to the Holiday Season.  The Jacksonville City Council meeting cycle will resume with Standing Committee meetings on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Council Members Join Partnership to Launch Initiative

Partnering with LISC Jacksonville, Mayor Alvin Brown and City Council members today announced new investments to improve and empower neighborhoods for residents and businesses through a joint initiative called Renew Jax.

RenewJax information packet | YouTube Video

Renew Jax is founded on public-private partnerships to improve and expand housing opportunities, promote economic development and job creation, and strengthen families.  The initiative will empower neighborhoods and improve quality of life.  The initial projects announced today are located in East Jacksonville and Northwest Jacksonville.