All News

Jacksonville to Host 2013 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony

January 29, 2013

Chipper Jones, Mark McCumber, Brian Gottfried, Corky Rogers, Fred Taylor, and LeeRoy Yarbrough among the athletes to be honored

Mayor Alvin Brown announced today that the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena will host the 2013 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 27.

Mayor Announces Major Opportunity for Downtown, Jobs

January 29, 2013

City savings of $11 million to be reinvested

Mayor Alvin Brown has created a plan to inject $11 million this year into both Downtown revitalization and job-creating economic improvements across Jacksonville.

Joined by civic and business leaders Tuesday along the Northbank Riverwalk, Mayor Brown committed to investing $9 million in order to leverage private investment that will improve Downtown. An additional $2 million is slated for economic expansion throughout the city.

Learn more about the mayor's reinvestment plan

The investments, which are subject to City Council approval, result from a successful round of debt refinancing at the direction of the Brown Administration. The mayor announced the savings will be reinvested in projects with private-sector investment that invigorate Downtown and elevate the Jacksonville economy.

Soccer Fever Taking Hold in Jacksonville

January 24, 2013

Florida attendance record for a stand-alone U.S. WNT friendly match is 12,031

With two major soccer events taking place during two weeks in February, Jacksonville has become a hot bed for the sport.

Jacksonville Vying to Host the 2016 US Swimming Olympic Trials

January 15, 2013

Event would bring more than $30 million to local economy

Civic and business leaders have stepped up with Mayor Alvin Brown in a call for community support, as Jacksonville seeks to host the 2016 US Swimming Olympic Trials. The event features the nation’s top swimmers to determine who will represent Team USA in Rio de Janeiro for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Video: Mayor and City Leaders Announce Jacksonville's Bid for US Swimming Olympic Trials

“We are excited to be under consideration to host the 2016 US Swimming Olympic Trials,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “As we’ve seen so many times in recent years, swimming is one of America’s strongest sports and hosting this event would make a major impact throughout our community. We would be proud to serve as a proving ground for these elite athletes, and I am confident in our city’s ability to help produce a program that would entertain and inspire thousands of fans. Jacksonville is an ideal destination for sporting events, and just like we’ve seen with the Jaguars, the Florida-Georgia game, the US Soccer exhibitions and many others, the Trials would be embraced by everyone in the community.”

Philadelphia Union to Play Montreal Impact at EverBank Field

January 15, 2013

Limited number of field seats available for Feb. 15 game

Major League Soccer will make its debut at EverBank Field on Feb. 15 when Philadelphia Union plays Montreal Impact in an exhibition match.

Education Commissioner Visits John E. Ford K-8

January 10, 2013

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, Education Commissioner Dr. Donnie Horner visited John E. Ford K-8 School as part of the Communities in Schools showcase.

ONE by ONE Community Agreement Convention a Success, Ratification Now Live

January 08, 2013

The City of Jacksonville is proud to support the Jacksonville Public Education Fund's (JPEF) One by One Management Team.

Learn2Earn Alumni Reunion

January 07, 2013

A reunion of Learn2Earn participants was held at Keiser University on Dec. 15. Over 100 Learn2Earn alumni attended the event. Dr. Donald Horner welcomed attendees and introduced Bob Turba, chairman of the Guidance Department at Stanton College Preparatory School. Mr. Turba gave a presentation to students and parents on college planning, applications and financial aid. A chronological map of what students need to do to prepare for college admission in each grade level was presented.

Mayor Brown, Shad Khan Announce Big Win for Jacksonville Taxpayers

December 22, 2012

New Facilities Management Contract Will Save City Nearly $1 Million Annually

Mayor Alvin Brown competitively bid the City’s facilities management contract for the first time in 20 years because he wanted taxpayers to receive the best value on their investment. The competition resulted in two bids that contained significant savings for taxpayers.

This afternoon on the steps of City Hall, where he was joined by Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Mayor Brown announced the selection of SMG to serve as the City of Jacksonville’s facilities manager. He unveiled contract terms that will save taxpayers nearly $1 million annually, provide the City of Jacksonville (COJ) with an immediate $1 million capital contribution, establish a $500,000 fund to attract and promote events at COJ facilities, and establish clear benchmarks for SMG’s performance of its facility management responsibilities.

Mayor Signs Legislation for Residential, Retail Investment

December 19, 2012

Project will accelerate revitalization of Brooklyn near city center

A vacant, 11-acre plot of land nestled between Riverside Avenue and Park Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Downtown Jacksonville is now officially on its way to sprouting a major development project expected to create 247 jobs while revamping aging public infrastructure and netting an estimated $10 million in ad valorem revenues over the next 20 years for the City of Jacksonville.

Read about other recent economic development bills signed by Mayor Brown

City of Jacksonville