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.

Study by Visit Jacksonville Shows Local Impact Increased from 2013

This year’s annual Georgia-Florida Football Classic proved to be even more successful than last year, with 132,882 out-of-town visitors generating $33.3 million in economic impact for Jacksonville, according to research by Visit Jacksonville.  The data shows the local impact increased $784,000 from 2013.

There were 37,118 room nights booked throughout the city for the game, generating $3.5 million in room revenue.  Room revenue from hotel stays increased from 2013 by almost $100,000.  Nearly 17,000 jobs were supported by the weekend events, the research shows.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has reopened A1A and the St. Johns River Ferry is now operating.  Thank you for your patience - and for riding the ferry!.

Due to an automobile accident, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has closed AIA (in both directions) between Wonderwood Expressway and the Mayport ferry landing.  As a result, the start of St. Johns River Ferry service today has been temporarily delayed.  A subsequent alert will be issued as soon as AIA is reopened and ferry service resumes.