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We've all heard it: a colleague, friend or family-member exclaims, "It's too hard to park Downtown."
But what most people don't know is we have more parking spaces in Downtown Jacksonville than four of the five Walt Disney World parks combined - more than 43,000 public parking. Walt Disney World has 32,539 spaces. It's a pretty neat statistic and makes a great response the next time you're conversing with someone who has a negative perception on parking.
Here are some other facts to equip yourself with to help improve this perception of parking Downtown:
- There are more than 1,600 metered spaces, which are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends and holidays.
- downtownjacksonville.org has a great parking map with rates if you're looking to park in a garage or lot.
- Downtown's average monthly parking costs are 45% less than the national average.
Where else can you go see a world-class orchestra, Broadway shows or top acts at The Florida Theatre and park for free a block or two away? From my own experience, I never pay for parking when we come for a performance Downtown because I welcome a short stroll.
Besides the facts and figures, parking Downtown is a different mindset. What Downtown may lack in curbside parking convenience, it more than makes up for in the walkable experience. While you may have to park a block or two away from your destination, a stroll through the streets of Downtown will reward you with increased social interaction, street-level exploration, and even creative inspiration, not to mention health and stress relief benefits.
Lastly, help us keep Downtown safe. Remember to lock your car, and stow all valuables - even loose change - when you park Downtown to avoid crimes of opportunity. It will take all of us to help shift this negative perception of parking, and encourage people to walk a block Downtown!
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Downtown Investment Authority Update
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The DIA is hard at work on a draft plan laying out an investment strategy that will serve as a guide to where and how future public expenditures will occur Downtown. This process is at a critical time when public input and comment is needed. We urge you to try to attend one of the remaining public meetings. - Monday, November 4, 6-7:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Hotel - Community Forum.
- Tuesday, November 5, 6-7:30 p.m., Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel - Community Forum.
- Wednesday, November 13, 3-4 p.m., City Hall - Review of Preliminary Market Assessment Update and discussion of the first draft of the Redevelopment Plan amendment.
- Wednesday, December 11, 3-4 p.m., City Hall - Discussion of second draft of the Redevelopment Plan amendment.
There were no actions taken at the October 16 DIA meeting due to the absence of a quorum. There were, however, several updates and presentations given as summarized below:
- City Council approved an operating budget of $1,427,500 for the DIA, which includes funding for two additional staff positions. These positions should be filled by January 2014.
- The Hemming Plaza RFP is being revised and should be released sometime in November.
- A group of private citizens on the Southbank are spearheading an initiative to improve Riverplace Boulevard to make it more pedestrian friendly.
- Vanessa Harper and Diane Brunet-Garcia gave a presentation on the Riverwalk Project, a mobile app and wayfinding project. The group has submitted an official request for $300,000 in funding from the DIA.
- Dane Baird presented possible solutions for Downtown's homelessness and nuisance activity problems, including advocacy for a misdemeanor Release Center and identifying possible funding opportunities. Cindy Funkhouser of the Sulzbacher Center also noted that they are now limiting their services to people from Florida Department of Children and Families District 4 in response to an influx of clients from outside the region.
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"Trick or Treat on the Street" Today
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Trick or treating is not just for kids anymore. Downtown employees are invited to step out of their offices at lunchtime on Halloween for "Trick or Treat on the Street" at 18 participating businesses. Read more. For holiday highlights and more (we couldn't forget Florida vs. Georgia) check out our latest "Things to Do Downtown" e-newsletter.
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We hope you'll join us for Downtown Vision, Inc.'s 13th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 6, at MOCA Jacksonville. Tickets are $10 and include one drink ticket at the Annual Meeting reception and a Champagne toast at the "Cheers to 10 Years" celebration to follow.
4:00 p.m. Registration
4:30 p.m. Annual Meeting
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:15 p.m. Cheers to 10 Years 10th Anniversary Art
Walk celebration and Champagne toast
To purchase tickets in advance, click on the PayPal link below, or RSVP to Cheryl Hunte at 904-634-0303, ext. 221, or email [email protected].
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Downtown's signature event, The First Wednesday Art Walk, is celebrating 10 years of art and culture on Wednesday, November 6. Celebrate with DVI at a Laura Street block party, located adjacent to Hemming Plaza, with an Art Walk retrospective, announcements for the years to come, special performances, an art unveiling, raffle and more, culminating in a Champagne toast as we say "Cheers to 10 years!" Program begins at 6:15 p.m. Contribute to Art Walk.
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- Announced this week, former NFL wide receiver and Jacksonville native Laveranues Coles Jr. recently purchased a 110-year-old building at 323-325 E. Bay St. for $750,000. Plans for the space, located in the Bay Street entertainment area, have not been confirmed, but the rumors are it might be a nightclub.
- The Jacksonville Landing has proposed developing design plans for renovation. Plans include opening the building to the St. Johns River, specifically through Laura Street, eliminating some retail space, and adding new residential and parking components. Read more.
- A Fresh Market was announced for a new retail development, Shoppes on Riverside, along Riverside in Brooklyn. Construction is expected to begin in January with a cost of $14.7 million and an opening date of next October.
- JTA announced plans to let out bids for the first phase of its Bus Rapid Transit System early next year. The Jacksonville system will include a Downtown loop, with construction expected to begin summer 2014 and completed the following year.
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The Omni Jacksonville Hotel plans $8 million in improvements to the property, including renovation to its restaurant, bar, hotel rooms and various infrastructure. Construction is expected in December on the restaurant with remaining work completed through 2014.
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In a record sale, The Strand residential tower on the Southbank sold for $53.3 million - $181,000 per unit - to Crescent Heights of Miami.
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Lessons from the International Downtown Association
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The gravitation of young people and many boomers to the excitement and vitality of core cities is a key topic among members of the International Downtown Association. Having had the chance this month to spend time with more than 700 Downtown and Central Business District practitioners at the International Downtown Association's World Congress in New York City, Terry Lorince elaborates on some of the trends here.
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Making it Easier to Hold Events Downtown
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In a first step to remove some of the red tape deterring event producers from choosing Downtown, the Mayor's Office has filed legislation (2013-695) to ease the burden of ordinance requirements on organizers and vendors hosting special events. The proposed legislation removes non-essential insurance requirements to ease associated costs, gives further discretion to city officials and allows for quicker approval of permits for events.
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Downtown Trash Collection
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In 2012, the City of Jacksonville instituted a per-can fee for commercial trash collection in Downtown. On occasion, when businesses don't comply and put out more trash than they have cans for, it is not only unsightly, but the City's Solid Waste Division has no mechanism for enforcing this rule in the existing ordinance.
DVI has assisted the City in seeking input from users of the Downtown Small Commercial Collection program regarding solutions. The Division has proposed amending the existing ordinance to provide that businesses must place all garbage in City-provided cans, may not place garbage in bags only and must pay for the proper number of cans. The proposed amendment would also provide an enforcement mechanism leading with education first, followed by a warning and finally a citation. DVI believes this amendment will improve the cleanliness of Downtown's sidewalks and ensure the sustainability of the existing program, while keeping costs to businesses stable.
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Oktoberfest @ Art Walk is a hit!
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 By our estimates, Oktoberfest doubled the average attendance of Art Walk, bringing out 15,000 people and making it the best-attended event to date. Many of the artists who set up at Headquarters @ Hemming Plaza reported they doubled their average sales figures. But it didn't stop there. The energy spilled over, as Art Walk-goers explored the surrounding merchants. Read more. Jaxtoberfest at The Shipyards was also a huge success and proves this vacant riverfront site works well for large events.
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Feedback
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Questions? Feedback? Ideas? Let us know how we're doing. Contact us at [email protected].
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Downtown is on Fire
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Help stoke the flame. If you believe Downtown is on Fire, download the logo here, and put it on your website and/or share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to help spread the word.
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Report An Issue
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Report cleanliness and maintenance issues online here.
The Downtown Ambassadors will receive your request and will resolve the issue within 24 hours. Services include graffiti, human/pet waste, litter and odor issues, spills, tree falls and weeds.
Bookmark our website for quick reference when you have an issue to report.
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