Today Mayor Alvin Brown hosted the 23rd Annual Mayor’s Environmental Awards Luncheon, which highlighted the accomplishments of local organizations, companies and individuals in environmental awareness and advocacy.  Each award was presented by the mayor and leaders of local organizations.
 
“Everyone has a responsibility to be a steward of our environment,” said Mayor Brown. “The individuals and organizations we’re honoring today not only accept this responsibility, they embrace it. Jacksonville is fortunate to have great people who care so deeply and passionately about protecting our great natural resources.”

Initiative gives residents new, easy-to-use tools to identify and report blight

Members of the City Council Special Ad Hoc Committee on Neighborhood Blight and city leaders today unveiled the Fight Blight initiative, designed to give residents new, easy-to-use tools to identify and report blight. 

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.

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.

Mayor Alvin Brown announced a multi-agency coalition and launched a six-month campaign to address pedestrian and bicycle safety in Jacksonville today on the front steps of City Hall.

Mayor Brown was joined in support by Council Members Don Redman, District 4, Dr. Johnny Gaffney, District 7 and Jim Love, District 14. During the event, Nathanial P. Ford Sr., chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Assistant Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools Paul Soares and Chief Michelle Cook from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office each commented on their respective agency’s ongoing efforts and overall goals in addressing bike and pedestrian safety. Other agency and advocacy groups were in attendance to support the coalition, including FDOT, AARP and the Florida Highway Patrol.

EverBank Field Ready to Host Bulldogs and Gators
 
The University of Georgia will take home field against the University of Florida on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at EverBank Field for the annual Georgia-Florida Football Classic, played in Jacksonville since 1933.

“The Georgia-Florida Football Classic has always been much more than just a game,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “It’s a great Jacksonville tradition and a hugely popular get-together for students, alumni and fans from Florida, Georgia and beyond.  It brings many benefits to our city, including the positive economic impact from so many out-of-town visitors and the spotlight it shines on Jacksonville as a leading destination for big-time sports.  This promises to be a great week for Jacksonville and a great week for the Gator and Bulldog fans who’ll be joining us from far and wide.”

View Georgia-Florida Fast Facts Sheet

Study represents first formal review of government structure since Consolidation 46 years ago

The Task Force on Consolidated Government presented its final report and recommendations to Council President Clay Yarborough today in City Council Chambers. The task force, formed by former City Council President Bill Gulliford and chaired by City Councilwoman Lori Boyer, undertook an in-depth review of the history, formation and operation of the consolidated government of Jacksonville including a full examination of all departments, divisions, boards, commissions and independent authorities. Additionally, the group studied the relationship between the Beaches and Baldwin and the Consolidated City of Jacksonville. Read More

New Facility Will Open At AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in November

Calling it the city’s largest job creation project in more than six years, Mayor Alvin Brown announced today that GE Oil & Gas has selected Jacksonville as the location for a new advanced manufacturing facility.
 
GE Oil & Gas will create at least 500 permanent full-time jobs over the next three years at the manufacturing center, with an average salary of $48,850 after receiving overwhelming support by City Council and Mayor Brown. 
 
The 500,000-square-foot new facility, slated to open this November, will be located at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center on Jacksonville’s Westside.  It will include an estimated minimum of $50 million in investments for manufacturing and IT equipment, as well as additional real estate improvements. Development of the site has been a priority of the City, as well as Hillwood Property Investments, the master developer of City-owned property at Cecil Commerce Center.

Nonprofit Organization Will Manage Jacksonville’s Oldest Public Park

Saying it will help boost Downtown Jacksonville’s economic vitality and quality of life, Mayor Alvin Brown today expressed thanks to City Council for passing legislation that supports a new public-private partnership to transform and reinvigorate Hemming Plaza.

Friends of Hemming Park was given overwhelming approval to run the historic Hemming Plaza, located in the center of Downtown.  The group’s key priorities will include making the park safe and inviting, leading beautification projects, and organizing more community events.  Led by Dr. Wayne Wood, Friends of Hemming Park is composed of Jacksonville leaders with extensive experience in neighborhood revitalization, management and marketing. 

USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort McHenry Arrive at NS Mayport, Hanna Park to Open at 6 a.m.

Local leaders joined the United States Navy at Naval Station Mayport today to welcome the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry to their new homeport in Jacksonville. With the additional 1,300 sailors and marines arriving at the base, Mayor Alvin Brown announced that the gate to the adjacent Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park will now open an hour earlier to provide base access to military personnel and earlier entry for patrons to enjoy the park.

“We are honored to be the new homeport of the USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort McHenry,” said Mayor Brown. “We welcome the ship crew and their families as our new neighbors. Jacksonville plays a key role in supporting our nation’s security posture and the United States Navy is a vital part of our community. The arrival of these two impressive ships and mission capabilities highlights the renewed growth of the Navy’s presence in Jacksonville. As a convenience to military personnel and an added benefit to park lovers, we are taking this opportunity to expand access to Hanna Park.”

See more photos from the event at Mayport