CELEBRATING
20 YEARS OF DOWNTOWN VISION
2019-2020
ANNUAL REPORT
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LETTER FROM DOWNTOWN VISION BOARD CHAIR & CEO 20 YEARS OF VISION
October 2020 marks 20 years of Downtown Vision helping Downtown Jacksonville. After all these years, we’re proud of the work we’ve done to create and support a vibrant Downtown. In this special Annual Report, we’re pleased to highlight our achievements throughout these last 20 years and to say thank you to all of those who’ve contributed to the organization. As usual, it also summarizes our areas of focus and showcases the value we provided to our stakeholders this past fiscal year. Last year was another successful year for our organization and for Downtown Jacksonville. Our flagship Downtown Ambassador Program continues to make Downtown a clean, safe and hospitable environment for visitors, employees and residents. In 2020, our team of 18 Ambassadors worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring Downtown remained clean, safe and ready to welcome people back. Utilizing a grant from the First Coast Relief Fund, we deployed additional services, such as port-o-lets and hand sanitizer, to those in need. Our marketing initiatives this past year included the unveiling of our beautiful new, digital-first website DTJax.com and a new brand identity for Downtown. We also collaborated closely with the Downtown Investment Authority to create new materials aimed at recruiting more investment. When COVID hit, we pivoted to focus on helping struggling small businesses. We issued clear communications to educate business owners on available funding resources and to keep the community aware of the need to support them. Over the summer, we launched the #DTJax e-Gift Card to further support Downtown businesses and to encourage people to return and spend money Downtown. Prior to the pandemic, our First Wednesday Art Walk brought thousands of people Downtown. In December 2019, we produced a spectacular holiday celebration complete with real snow and Mayor Curry’s lighting of a 50-foot holiday tree. We continued our focus on experience creation to improve the look and feel of Downtown. This past year, we installed 40,000 customizable RGB lights on 40 trees lining Laura Street. Up year round, these “Lights on Laura” have been widely praised as a beautiful vibrant addition to Downtown. Our 16th annual State of Downtown Report dropped this year, providing a comprehensive look on Downtown progress including development, office market, and residential trends for investors and developers. This report will serve as a crucial pre-COVID benchmark as we track Downtown’s future growth. Throughout our work in DTJax, we actively collaborate wherever possible, working closely to create and support a vibrant Downtown with our partners at the Downtown Investment Authority, the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Visit Jacksonville CVB, JAX Chamber, JAXUSA Partnership, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and many others. We welcome you back to Downtown. Let us help you discover what’s new. Sign up for our #DTJax Weekly e-Newsletter at DTJax.com to get the lowdown on news and events. Attend our quarterly stakeholder meetings to hear from our Downtown partners first hand. Thank you for your support of Downtown and Downtown Vision. We look forward to seeing you around Downtown.
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Numa Saisselin
Jacob A. Gordon, Esq.
Board Chair
CEO
President, Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc.
Downtown Vision, Inc.
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ABOUT DOWNTOWN VISION DTJAX’S BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
Founded in 2000, Downtown Vision is the Business Improvement District (BID) for Downtown Jacksonville, a not-for-profit organization funded mainly by Downtown’s commercial property owners through a self-assessment. We’re governed by a large board of directors representing diverse Downtown stakeholders. We have a corporate structure with both a 501(c)6 non-profit business association and a 501(c)3 charitable corporation, providing our members and supporters with a wide range of support and benefits. Our work is tightly aligned to the vision, mission and priorities of the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) and the City of Jacksonville. This collaboration facilitates private sector integration in the execution of the DIA’s Community Revitalization Area (CRA) plans and benefits Downtown property owners, residents, businesses and their employees.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
Create and support a vibrant
A dynamic, 24-hour, pedestrian-friendly
Downtown and promote Downtown
Downtown Jacksonville that serves as the
as an exciting place to live, work,
premier center for the arts, dining, retail,
visit and invest.
entertainment, business and urban living in Northeast Florida.
OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS DISTRICT SERVICES
MARKETING & EVENTS
EXPERIENCE CREATION
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Ambassadors & Stakeholder Support
Marketing, PR, Events & Promotions
Placemaking & Public Realm
Research, Reports & Surveys
DISTRICT SERVICES
MARKETING & EVENTS
We market Downtown as
Public space beautification,
As the primary source for
Downtown is a clean and
the unique epicenter for
activation and management
information on Downtown,
safe environment, which is
business, history, culture,
plays a fundamental role
we collect data and analyze
why we focus on it seven
education and entertainment
in creating exceptional
trends including: investment,
days a week. We also partner
for our region. Our events
experiences. We focus on
office market and residential
with the City, Sheriff’s Office,
showcase all DTJax offers,
improving the public realm
growth. By benchmarking
property owners and others
serve as economic drivers
experience to create reasons
and issuing reports, we tell
to support economic growth
for businesses and create
for people to linger, explore
the story of Downtown’s
and the live/work/visit
comfortable settings for
and return Downtown.
revitalization.
experience.
people to explore Downtown.
The cornerstone of a great
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EXPERIENCE CREATION
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR DOWNTOWN
 THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY
DOWNTOWN VISION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERS
DOWNTOWN ON THE MAP
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20 YEARS OF DOW 2000
Better Jax & Downtown Master Plans
2001
• Downtown Vision, Inc. founded as the Business Improvement District (BID) for Downtown Jacksonville
• Terry Lorince of Pittsburgh, PA hired as Executive Director • Launched Downtown Ambassador Program
2007
• Launched Downtown Historic Church Tour • Launched Quarterly Stakeholder Meetings • Held Downtown Get Down young professional events
2008
• Launched Friday Fest concert series and Out to Lunch program
• Held Downtown Digs volunteer clean up • Launched Movies in the Park spring movie series • Sponsored City of Jacksonville’s Make a Scene Downtown Thursday night happy hours
• Installed Hemming Plaza tables & chairs • Launched downtownjacksonville.org
2009 2002
• Award-winning “explore the more” campaign
• Launched Hemming Plaza Farmers Market
• Launched Off the Grid artist-retail matching program
• First Downtown branding campaign
• Destination Downtown event partnership
• Launched Park Smart lunchtime parking program
• Launched Great Streets demonstration project to clean up empty storefronts and install hanging flower baskets • Launched mobile website DTJax.org
2003
Mayor Peyton Elected
• First Downtown Guide & Map
• Created first social media page
• Launched Downtown Good Neighbor program • Launched First Wednesday Art Walk • Launched 100 Windows of Art
2010
• Launched the Downtown Straight-Up happy hour program
• Not Your Ordinary Neighborhood marketing campaign
2004
• First Ambassador information kiosk • Published first State of Downtown Report • Created an online retail database
• Held summer bar party series
2011
Mayor Brown Elected
• Launched “Downtown Now” show on WJCT
2005
Super Bowl
• Hosted Downtown In-Depth election forums • Launched Dine with Us Downtown monthly dinner program
• Added 900 street pole banners • Launched Southbank Farmers Market
• Launched Helping Hands panhandling education program with JSO • Launched Jazz in June concert series • Hosted a Downtown Living Tour • Launched Eat Up Downtown prix-fixe dining week
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• Implemented Laura Street Façade Grant program • Co-working demonstration
• BID renewed for seven years by City Council
• Launched interactive parking map
2006
• Published white paper: “Turning the Corner: Rethinking and Remaking Downtown”
2012
DIA Created
• BID renewed for seven years a second time by City Council • Launched advocacy blog • Created an events and meeting space database • Hemming Plaza ad hoc subcommittee
WNTOWN VISION 2013
(Continued)
• Created Downtown Vision Alliance 501(c)3
• Launched the Skyway Ambassador Partnership with JTA
• Launched iloveartwalk.com • Partnered with Downtown Marketing Collaborative to launch “Downtown is on Fire”
• Created Lively and Beautiful Sidewalks (LABS) placemaking initiative
• Launched Jazz Fest After Dark
2014
• Award-winning #DTJax Twitter Promoter campaign • Launched Discover Downtown membership alliance
• Installed first “Lights on Laura”
2018
• Launched the Social Service Outreach Division • Launched the Property Maintenance Division • Reached more than 100,000 social media followers
• Held volunteer “cleaning and greening” events in Hemming Park • Launched marketing campaign for The Elbow
• #DTJaxDuo Giveaway gift certificate giveaway summer promotion
• Sponsored The Elbow’s “Amplified” CD compilation of Jacksonville musicians
• Began place management of The Corkscrew outdoor gym • Create Oasis @ Art Walk placemaking pop-ups
2015
Mayor Curry Elected
• Jacob Gordon, Esq. of Camden, NJ becomes 2nd CEO • Received Jacksonville Business Journal’s BizTech Award for Best Use of Social Media
2019
• Launched the Place Management Division
• Ocean Street alleyway volunteer cleanup
• Launched Patio on Hogan for outdoor dining
• The Elbow Bender outdoor concert
• Helped launch LiveDowntownJax.com with JAX Chamber
• Launched Art Walk After Dark • Launched Northbank Security Network Meetings
• Created partnership with Downtown Investment Authority for investor recruitment marketing support
• Launched Trick or Treat on the Street
2016
Historic District Designation
• Organized the Florida Downtown Association
• Inaugural #DTJax Gala • Launched the #DTJax Awards • Installed the Adams St. Parklet • Launched the #DTJax App • Produced the Alley Sessions series (The Elbow) • Launched #DTJax Marketer Meet-ups • Launched Parking Day • Launched Small Business Saturday
• BID renewed for seven years a third time by City Council
2020 COVID-19
• Launched new Downtown Jacksonville brand • Launched new DTJax.com • Launched #DTJax e-Gift Card • Held a 30-day 30-business $100 Gift Card giveaway at the start of COVID-19 • Create branded Downtown backgrounds for Zoom • Produced an investor recruitment brochure for the DIA • Launched InvestDTJax.com for the DIA
2017
Opportunity Zones Designated
• Hurricane Irma cleanup
• Integrated geofenced data into research
• Received IDA Award for Art Walk: Representing the Best of Jacksonville
• Received First Coast Relief Fund grant to enhance clean and safe services during COVID-19
• Installed holiday garland wraps on 90 lampposts • Deployed an All Terrain Land Vacuum (ATLV)
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KEEPING DTJAX CLEAN & SAFE A BIG CLEAN & SAFE IMPACT:
33,200
HOURS LOGGED
11,500
BIKE & SEGWAY HOURS LOGGED
10,800
HOSPITALITY ASSISTS: PROVIDING DIRECTIONS, LOCATING LOST VEHICLES, ETC.
353
HOSPITALITY & UMBRELLA ESCORTS
40
TONS OF LITTER REMOVED
987
GRAFFITI TAGS REMOVED
It’s been almost 20 years since the Downtown Ambassador team first started working to make Downtown clean, safe and hospitable. Today, eighteen Downtown Ambassadors work across five divisions patrolling the 90-block BID to provide extra eyes and ears on the street, to clean sidewalks and mend building facades, to reach out to those in need and to activate shared spaces. Through a partnership with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority we now also provide services on the Skyway during peak hours and offer free shuttle service to the Urban Rest Stop throughout the week. In 2020, the Ambassador Team continued to operate throughout and following the COVID-19 shutdown keeping Downtown clean and making Downtown safe. In late Spring, DVI received a First Coast Relief Fund grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, United Way of Northeast Florida and partners. Funds were used to deploy eight port-o-lets and hand sanitizer stations in strategic locations around Downtown’s central core. DVI also purchased locally produced hand sanitizer for Ambassadors to hand out to all in need to keep individuals safe.
DTJAX.COM/CLEANANDSAFE
4,100
NUISANCE WARNINGS FOR PANHANDLING, LOITERING & PUBLIC DRINKING
105
SPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTED
SOCIAL SERVICE OUTREACH:
679
CLIENTS SERVED
203
CONFIRMED REFERRALS TO LONG-TERM SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS
414 ASSISTS TO ACCESS DOCUMENTATION,
HOMELESSNESS VERIFICATION, BACKGROUND CHECKS & REPLACING VITAL RECORDS
203
APPLICATION ASSISTS HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, BANKING & SOCIAL SECURITY
387
TRANSPORTATION FACILITATIONS: DIRECT TRANSPORT & BUS PASSES PROVIDED
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SAFETY & HOSPITALITY DIVISION
CLEAN DIVISION
The team acts as a “force multiplier” reporting nuisance and
The team cleans and maintains the public realm, removing
criminal activity to the Sheriff’s Office, and safety violations
litter, clearing fallen debris, pressure washing sidewalks and
and broken street lights to appropriate entities. They work
removing graffiti.
with local businesses, attractions and Visit Jacksonville to make DTJax a safe and welcoming place.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE DIVISION
PLACE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
A specialist provides essential maintenance of the
Specialists monitor and maintain each of our placemaking
streetscape and properties, fixing building facades,
projects ensuring these public places are well cared for
kiosks, trash cans and more.
and attractive to visitors.
SOCIAL SERVICES OUTREACH DIVISION
Modeled after successful outreach initiatives around the
country, our Outreach Specialists operate throughout our district to develop relationships with homeless individuals, assess their needs, provide basic case-management services and connect them with service providers who can provide appropriate, long-term assistance. They collect and manage large quantities of observed and self-reported data, and they coordinate a quarterly “Homelessness Census” by the 18-member Ambassador Team to record the number and location of all homeless individuals in the BID. Demographics and behaviors are then analyzed to identify the most vulnerable segments of the population. Also, by recording the services they provide, we are learning more about “gaps” in the existing social service ecosystem.
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MARKETING THE H We market Downtown under the #DTJax brand to help accomplish the Downtown Investment Authority’s No. 1 redevelopment goal to “reinforce Downtown as the City’s unique epicenter for business, history, culture, education and entertainment.” In January, we launched a new brand identity for Downtown based on Downtown’s iconic Northbank skyline, Florida sun and St. Johns river. The roll out included live, work, visit and invest-themed animations; commissioned interpretations of the logo by four local artists; and a “Color our Logo” contest during a stay-at-home mandate at the onset of COVID-19. Next, we launched the all-new DTJax.com website featuring responsive design, advanced searchability, a Downtown history timeline, user-generated Instagram content and a DTJax Shop with new #DTJax-branded merchandise. Through partnerships with JAX Chamber and the Downtown Investment Authority, two new sister websites—LiveDTJax.com, the site aimed at growing the number of Downtown residents, and InvestDTJax.com, a new site aimed at recruiting investors—share the new brand as well. In addition to a robust online communications program based on content creation and curation, we continue to print and distribute DTJax Guide & Maps, DTJax Holiday Guides and Dinner & Dining Maps to highlight Downtown’s offerings. Plus, we work with the local media to educate the community on #DTJax and to dispel common misperceptions. Our public relations efforts resulted in 113 news stories for Downtown Jacksonville this past year.
AN ALL NEW DTJAX.COM 419,000
ANNUAL PAGE VIEWS TOP PAGES • Events
• Parking • First Wednesday Art Walk • Dining • Duval County Courthouse • Map • Southbank Riverwalk DTJax.com is the cornerstone of the trio of sites aimed a showing off Downtown, recruiting investors (InvestDTJax.com) and residents (LiveDTJax.com).
SAVVY SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT 125,000 FOLLOWERS 6.5 MILLION TOTAL IMPRESSIONS than 700 Instagram Stories earned 337,000 impressions.
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• Blog - Small Business Resources • St. Johns River Taxi
64,000 @DTJAX
19,000 @DTJAX 13,900 @JACKSONVILLEARTWALK
28,100 @DTJAX
Social media stories allow us to share posts from Downtown businesses in their words to boost their visibility. This year, more
• Blog - Open for Business
HEART OF OUR CITY DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY INVESTOR RECRUITMENT SUPPORT This year, we helped the Downtown Investment Authority evolve their DIA brand, create an investor recruitment marketing brochure and launch investdtjax.com with a development map, find real estate map and data dashboard.
TIMELY & TAILORED NEWS
10,683
SUBSCRIBERS TO OUR E-NEWSLETTERS • #DTJax Weekly e-Newsletters sent each Tuesday • Downtown Information and Safety Network sent each Friday and as needed • Event specific e-blasts
DTJAX.COM/SHOP
Launched in August 2020, our new merchandise shop sells shirts, hats, mugs, enamel pins, stickers and more to get people excited about Downtown.
Four artistic interpretations of the #DTJax Brand were commissioned from embroidery, collage, watercolor and woodworking artists in Jacksonville.
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SUPPORTING BUSINESSES THROUGH MARKETING & EVENTS
PROVIDING CRITICAL COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS & SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
As the world closed due to COVID-19, we pivoted our normal efforts to support Downtown’s small businesses through a series of newsletters, comprehensive blogs and a Gift Card giveaway. We purchased $100 gift cards from 30 retailers and held daily giveaways from mid-March through April. We also created and distributed “We’re Open” A-frame signage and “Mask Required” posters for the businesses.
GIFT CARD dine • shop • experience local
SPURRING SPENDING WITH THE #DTJAX E-GIFT CARD
Launched this summer as businesses started to reopen, our new digital gift card makes it easy to keep local spending local. Good at 30 Downtown businesses and counting, it can be used multiple times and at multiple participating locations. Since launching, the program has sold more than $8,600 in gift cards.
DTJAXEGIFTCARD.COM 12
FIRST WEDNESDAY ART WALK
Since its launch in 2003, Art Walk has grown from just eight locations and an average of less than 1,000 attendees a month to become Downtown’s signature monthly event, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years and supporting businesses in the Central Core. Prior to COVID-19, we produced one of the largest Art Walks to date, celebrating the holiday season with a tree lighting with Mayor and Mrs. Curry, carols by The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, a North Pole Snow Zone and photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Over the summer, to stay safe during COVID-19, we took Art Walk virtual. “Art Scroll� events streamed artists interviews and performances, offered art giveaways and included an art contest to keep fans engaged.
 ILOVEARTWALK.COM THIS YEAR’S LINE UP: • • • • • •
Downtown Vision Presents
Trick Treat On the Street
OCT.31
DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE
FROM 11 AM - 2 PM
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26 19 18
8
17
27
23 30 5
10 2 29 31 32 9 4 7 22 12 15 3 16 14 1 11
24
6 25 28
20
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1. bELLWETHER 2. CHAMBLIN’S UPTOWN 3. De Real ting 4. Desert rider 5. downtown vision 6. Dupont center 7. edwards and cavendish 8. Friends of hemming Park 9. HAPPY GRILLED CHEESE 10. HEMMING PLAZA JEWELER 11. Iberia Bank
12. Kazu Sushi burrito 13. JAx metro Credit union 14. jta Office 15. Jimmy john’s 16. Live oak contracting 17. MAddy d’s 18. Main library 19. MOCA Jacksonville 20. OLIO 21. PEterbrooke Chocolatier
22. plata schott attorneys 23. quizno’s 24. Regions bank 25. superfood and brew 26. sweet pete’s Candy co. 27. the brick Coffee House 28. URBAN GRIND 29. Vagabond coffee & Bodega 30. Vystar Credit Union 31. Visit Jacksonville 32. Wolf & cub
TRICK OR TREAT ON THE STREET
DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY | NOV 30
#SHOPSMALL
EVERY STAMP SHOWS YOUR SUPPORT!  Â? Â? Â? Â? Â? Â? Â? Â
#DTJAX Retail
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October - Nightmare on Laura Street November - Salute to Service December - Spirit of Giving January - No Art Walk February - Nonprofits for the Arts March - St. Paddy Takes Over #DTJax
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
• • • • • •
April - No Art Walk (COVID-19) May - No Art Walk (COVID-19) June - Bold City Pride Art Scroll July - Virtual Art Scroll August - Virtual Art Scroll September - Virtual Art Scroll
VIRTUAL ART SCROLL
@DTJAX | #SHOPSMALL | DTJAX.COM/SHOPSMALL
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COLLECTING DATA & CONNEC We research and analyze data to show the big picture of Downtown revitalization. We produce reports, survey Downtown stakeholders and tackle project-specific research for investors, Realtors and civic and community partners. As the central cog in the Downtown community, we provide liaison and ombudsman services for Downtown property representatives and businesses, soliciting their perspectives, helping to solve problems and representing their interests to government officials and other decision makers. We host quarterly stakeholder meetings to inform and exchange ideas, and monthly Northbank Security Network meetings facilitate critical dialogue among property managers and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on safety and quality-of-life issues. Our Downtown Information & Safety Network (DISN) e-blasts notify stakeholders to critical issues, such as street and bridge closures, construction and events impacting Downtown.
STATE OF DOWNTOWN REPORT BENCHMARKS DOWNTOWN BEFORE COVID-19
Published annually since 2004, the State of Downtown Report tracks and analyzes Downtown Jacksonville’s performance in key indicators of urban revitalization. This year’s highlights include: • Dollars invested in completed development projects increased 152% from $210 million to $530 million year over year. • The number of Downtown residents has increased 18% to more than 6,100, while the number of multifamily residential units has increased 20% to more than 3,800. • Vacancy is at its lowest in more than a decade at 14.2% as of 2020 Q1. Currently, JEA and FIS are building a combined 462,000 square of office space for their new headquarters. • Downtown is in the midst of a multi-modal renaissance with a $50-million regional transportation center opened this Spring and a $350 million innovation corridor in the works. • In 2019, Downtown saw more than 20 million visits.
DTJAXREPORTS.COM 14
CTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS INSIGHTS THROUGH GEOFENCED DATA
This year, we invested in Placer.ai geofencing software to allow us to track visitor, resident and employee demographics and foot traffic in Downtown. Uniquely important this year, the data has allowed us to track the drop in visitations due to COVID-19, but will also allow us to track the return of visitors. We now know Downtown has seen 53% of the visits we had by this time last year and can share information like this with leadership to inform decisions. Jan 1 - Sept 14, 2020
Jan 1 - Sept 14, 2019
Jan 1 - Sept 14, 2018
Jan 1 - Sept 14, 2017
8.35 MILLION VISITS
14.43 MILLION VISITS
15.78 MILLION VISITS
14.30 MILLION VISITS
Visits Trend
Downtown Jacksonville (CRA) / Jacksonville
This year’s dramatic drop off in visitors and employees due to COVID-19 is captured below.
Estimated # of Visits
240K
160K
80K
0 1st 0th 9th 8th 6th 5th 4th 4th 3th 2nd 31st 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 2nd 1th 0th 9th l 8th 7th 6th 4th 3th 2nd 31st 9th 8th 7th n Ja Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 2 Feb Feb 1 Feb 2 Mar ar 1 ar 2 Mar Apr Apr 1 Apr 2 May ay 1 ay 2 Jun Jun 1 Jun 2 Jun 2 Ju Jul 1 Jul 2 Aug Aug 1 ug 2 Aug Sep Sep 1 Sep 2 M M A M M
Est. # of Visits | Jan 1, 2020 - Sep 29, 2020 | Visitors, Employees Data provided by Placer Labs Inc. (www.placer.ai)
2019 RESIDENT SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS 83.5% of residents like or love
2019 EMPLOYEE SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS 76.1% of employees like or love
BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING DOWNTOWN:
BEST THINGS ABOUT WORKING DOWNTOWN:
1 2 3
1 2 3
living Downtown.
City living/atmosphere/vibe Entertainment/events Walkability
working Downtown.
Restaurants Walkability Proximity to residence
WORST THINGS ABOUT LIVING DOWNTOWN:
WORST THINGS ABOUT WORKING DOWNTOWN:
1 2 3
1 2 3
Loitering/transient population Empty storefronts/not attractive Lack of a walkable grocery store
197 Respondents. Confidence Level: 90%. Margin of Error: +/- 5.8%.
Feeling unsafe Loitering/transient population Panhandling
704 Respondents. Confidence Level: 90%. Margin of Error: +/- 3.1%.
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CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE Our goal is to help improve the street-level experience in Downtown using placemaking best practices. In 2017, we created
the Lively and Beautiful Sidewalks “LABS” initiative to raise funds for placemaking to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown and to educate the community on the benefits of placemaking. To date, we’ve raised more than $215,000 for placemaking in Downtown.
DTJAX.COM/LABS
OUR PLACEMAKING PRINCIPLES:
CREATE WALKABLE CONNECTIVITY
THE ACTIVATE STREETSCAPE
LIGHTS ON LAURA
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THE ENHANCE ENGAGE PUBLIC SPACES COMMUNITY
THE CORKSCREW ACTIVATION
In time for the 2019 holiday season, we installed 40,000
Recognizing the need to activate and maintain this
new programmable LED lights on 40 Laura Street trees.
unique riverfront public gym, our Ambassadors staff The
Up year round, these RGB lights can create millions of
Corkscrew daily, manage moveable tables and chairs and
different hues and are programmed to celebrate seasons,
work out equipment such as yoga mats, jump ropes and
holidays and major events. Trees will be professionally
dumbbells. Ambassadors ensure the space is clean and
re-wrapped on an annual basis to allow for tree growth
well-maintained; deter vandalism and unwanted behavior;
and continued health. To expand the holiday decoration
report maintenance and security issues; and provide a
footprint, we also installed 80 lit garlands on lamp poles
welcoming presence and information to users and visitors.
and an additional 40,000 multicolored LED lights on trees
We’ve also added seven state-of-the-art, self-watering
in the surrounding blocks.
landscaping planters.
ADAMS STREET PARKLET
PATIO ON HOGAN
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE & PROJECTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE DOWNTOWN 2ND ANNUAL #DTJAX AWARDS BREAKFAST DECEMBER 10, 2019 THE RIVER CLUB 136 ATTENDEES
DTJAXAWARDS.COM
BRIAN WOLFBURG, VYSTAR CREDIT UNION
THE BARNETT & UNF INNOVATION CENTER
DEBBIE BUCKLAND, TRUIST
Downtowner of the Year
Downtown Project of the Year
Downtown Achievement Award
This award honors an individual
This award recognizes a business
This award recognizes an individual or
who has demonstrated inspirational
that has significantly enhanced the
organization for a significant body of
leadership and has made strides
economic revitalization of Downtown
work that reinforces Downtown as the
to create and support a vibrant
through the activation of underutilized
premier center for arts, dining, retail,
Downtown.
resources, job creation, or leading
entertainment, business and/or urban
design practices
living in Northeast Florida.
PAST WINNERS Downtowner of the Year • • • •
2018 - Steve Moore & Amb. John D. Rood 2017 - Frank Denton & Mark Nusbaum 2016 - Ben Davis 2015 - Alex Coley
Downtown Project of the Year • • • •
MIKE CARPENTER
BELLWETHER
Ambassador of the Year
Small Business of the Year
This award honors a Downtown
New in 2019, this award recognizes
Ambassador who continually goes
a thriving street level retailer who
above and beyond in their service of
enhances the Downtown experience.
Downtown’s stakeholders, residents, employees and visitors.
2018 - 20 West FSCJ Housing and Cafe 2017 - Cowford Chophouse 2016 - Winston Family YMCA 2015 - Sweet Pete’s Candy Co.
Downtown Achievement Award • • • •
2018 - Aundra Wallace, DIA 2017 - Preston Haskell, Haskell Co. 2016 - Council President Lori Boyer 2015 - Sherry Magill, DuPont Fund/Center
Ambassador of the Year • • • •
2018 - Michael Ryan 2017 - Willie Browner 2016 - Michael Ryan 2015 - Lydia Cobbert
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2
5th Annual
#DTJax
GALA: FEELING RITZY
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS WITH 20s FANFARE #DTJAX GALA: PUTTING ON THE RITZ FEBRUARY 28, 2020
ONE ENTERPRISE CENTER 350+ ATTENDEES
DTJAXGALA.COM In its fifth year, our #DTJax Gala has grown into the “must-attend” party in Downtown. Thanks to support from sponsors, Downtown businesses and the community, we raised more than $73,000 for the Lively and Beautiful Sidewalks (LABS) placemaking initiative to animate the streets of Downtown in 2020. Festivities included: Paradigm Flux Dance Company performances, Let’s Ride Brass Band, Generation Y Entertainment, Ritz Theatre and Museum display, libations by Manifest Distilling, Bold City Brewery and Intuition Ale Works, and dinner by Bellwether, Jumpin’ Jax House of Food, Omni Jacksonville and The Bread & Board.
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2019-2020 BUDGET Our Downtown Vision Inc. budget is approved by the Downtown Vision Board of Directors, the Downtown Investment Authority, the Mayor’s Office and adopted by Jacksonville City Council. For fiscal year 2019-2020, our budget was $1,639,892.
REVENUES 55% PRIVATE ASSESSMENTS
28%
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
15%
OTHER SOURCES
EXPENSES 48%
CLEAN & SAFE / AMBASSADORS
30%
MARKETING, EVENTS, PROMOTIONS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
17%
STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT & EXPERIENCE CREATION
5%
ADMINISTRATION & OVERHEAD
LEVERAGING OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY
Supportive of the value we provide,
many exempt properties voluntarily contribute funds towards their 1.1 mils assessment, including the City
$115,500
$78,000
•
COJ Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
•
Truist Bank Community Development Charitable Contribution
• •
•
United Way / Jessie Ball duPont Fund First Coast Relief Fund Grant
DISTRICT SERVICES
of Jacksonville, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, JEA, JAX Chamber, Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension
than $361,500 in grants, voluntary contributions, fee-for-service contracts, sponsorships and through many other fundraising efforts in FY 19-20.
2020 #DTJax Gala proceeds Neighborhoods Matching Grant for The Corkscrew
FEE-FOR-SERVICES
•
JTA contract for Ambassador services on the Skyway
•
GSA contract for Ambassador services at the Federal Courthouse
MARKETING & EVENTS
•
• •
Visit Jacksonville Guide Partnership
Small Services Contracts with Private Stakeholders
•
DIA contract for Investor Recruitment Advisory Services
•
Sponsorships, vendor fees & sales
Fund and the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund. In addition, we secured more
EXPERIENCE CREATION
$78,800
Florida Department of State grant: Division of Cultural Affairs
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FY 2019-2020 BOARD & STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VyStar Credit Union
Councilmember Joyce Morgan Jacksonville City Council
Numa Saisselin, Chair
Alex Travis
Miller Electric
Rogers Towers
Teresa Durand-Stuebben,
Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow, PLLC
Zach Ashourian
Chief Donald Tuten
Ash Properties
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Lori Boyer
Aundra Wallace
Downtown Investment Authority
JAXUSA Partnership
Caryn Carreiro
Cushman & Wakefield of Florida
Stephen Crosby InvestJax
Regency Centers
Elias Hionides PETRA
Coty Hoskins
First Baptist Church
10+
YEARS
Supervisor
Richard Isacs
Property Maintenance Specialist
10+
YEARS
Mike Ryan
Special Projects & Business Outreach Specialist
Whitney Hilliard Outreach Assistant
Mike Carpenter Caleb Carrion
Chief Executive Officer
Johnny Duckett
Cheryl Hunte
Rebecca Grimaldo
Business Administrator
Katherine Hardwick
Vice President of Marketing
Eric Miller, Esq.
Joshua Curry
Rome Hamilton Thomas Hannah Eric Hill
Vice President of District Services
Russell Hill
Lexi Brantman
Kenneth Holmes
Director of Communications
Eduardo Santos
Zach Lattimore
Director of Experience
Antoino Lewis
Haley Tinkle
O’Dell McMillan
Allan Iosue
Events Manager
Laneasha Silcott
Asst. Chief Jimmy Judge
Interns: Rebecca Kobrin, Alexandra LaRocque, Frank Lukens, Gracie Phillips and Sydney Scudder
Keith Thomas
Haskell
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Vince Mccormack Perdue, Inc.
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10+
YEARS
Troy Harris
STAFF
Jacob A. Gordon, Esq.
Paul Davison
Jan Hanak
10+
YEARS
Cyndy Trimmer
Immediate Past Chair Foresight Construction Group
Iconic Real Estate
Team Lead
JWB Real Estate
Kerri Stewart, Secretary
Paul Grainger
Lionel Roberts
Alex Sifakis
CBRE Group, Inc.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Social Services Outreach Specialist
The Connect Agency
Oliver Barakat, Treasurer
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.
Cynthia Ray
John Ream
Cushman & Wakefield of Florida
BDO USA, LLP
Program Manager
Heritage Capital Group
Traci Jenks, Vice Chair
YEARS
Bill Wimmer
William (Bill) R. Prescott
Florida Theatre
10+
DOWNTOWN AMBASSADORS
Ryan McIntyre
Jaquez Williams David Vazquez
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
ADG | Acuity Design Group, Affordable Marijuana License, Banyan Street Capital, Bold City Brewery, The Bread and Board, Cecil W. Powell & Company, Chamblin's Uptown, Connect Agency, Corner Lot Development, Cox Media Group, Cushman & Wakefield, First Coast YMCA, Florida Blue, Foresight Construction, Gate Petroleum, Haskell, Hello Fresh, Iconic Real Estate, iHeartRadio, Jacksonville Business Journal, Jacksonville Civic Council, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, JAX Chamber, Matt Carlucci - State Farm, Moody Williams Appraisal Group, Patrick Krechowski Esq., PNC Bank, PRI Productions, Prosser, Regency Centers, Rummell Munz, Sight & Sound Productions, Sleiman Enterprises, Southeast Group, Steve & Betsy Crosby, The River Club, The Southern Group, Tyrie & Lori Boyer and Wingard.
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THANK YOU, TERRY LORINCE!
DVI’S FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In 2001, Terry Lorince was hired as the Executive Director of Downtown Vision. As she set out to establish the organization, she set goals and developed strategies that would enhance the value of Downtown properties by being an advocate for Downtown businesses and by making Downtown Jacksonville the premier place to live, work, shop, play and dine. Over her 14 year tenure, Terry worked with three mayoral administrations and countless partners to improve our city center. She launched several cornerstone projects that impact Downtown and our work today, such as:
• • • • • • • • • • •
The Downtown Ambassador program makes Downtown cleaner, safer and more hospitable
•
Completion of the Jacksonville and St. Johns River Study in 2004, which created a framework for riverfront development
The State of Downtown Report benchmarks Downtown’s growth The First Wednesday Art Walk brings people Downtown to support local businesses Downtownjacksonville.com helps people learn more about Downtown’s offerings The Laura Street Façade Grant Program contributed to the APA’s Great Streets designation The “Off the Grid” program matched artists and retail spaces to fill 50,000 square feet of vacant space The creation of Downtown Vision Alliance 501 (c)3 to expand the services we provide Two BID Renewals Advocacy for the creation of the Downtown Investment Authority Advocacy for major developments and residential and historic preservation projects Developing the 2010 white paper “Turning the Corner: Rethinking and Remaking Downtown,” which stressed the need to focus on the core of Downtown
ON OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THE DOWNTOWN VISION BOARD AND STAFF WANT TO THANK TERRY FOR HER PAST LEADERSHIP FOR DVI AND DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE.
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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO’VE HELPED DOWNTOWN WITH US OVER THE YEARS: FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Bill Adams
Tony Allegretti Dave Auchter Jim Bailey Ronald D. Barton Al Battle John Blount Keith Brown Debbie Buckland, Chair Vicki Burns Ron Chamblin James M. Craig, II Paul Crawford Jed V. Davis Bill Evans Mark Farrell W. Edwin Frazier, III Christopher D. Flagg, Chair Councilmember Reggie Gaffney Burnell Goldman
Councilmember Ju’Coby Pittman
Mark Rimmer
Jeffrey Herman
Gil Pomar
Bonnie Senteno
Samantha Herrick
Ariana Sinudom
Eric Hill
Joe Snowberger
Ray Hollister
Jessica Spitsen
Michael Howard
Walter Thomas
Jesse Johnson
Natalsya Tucker
Kevin Johnsnon
Jason Wilchar
John Kelley
Councilmember Don Redman Tim Rose Howard Serkin Art Shad Assistant Chief Jackson Short Barney Smith Jeremy Smith Pamela Smith James Southerland, Chair Dawn Southworth Michael Stewart, Chair Scott Stuckey Sarah Toppi Barry Vaughn, Chair Tri Vu Annika Wallace John M. Welch, Jr. Robert Arleigh White
FORMER STAFF
Stephen Goldman
Alexandra Abreu-Figueroa
Councilmember Bill Gulliford
Reggie Agulto
Michael Harrell, Chair
Karen Barnes
Donald Harris
Lyn Briggs
Erik Higgins
Michelle Brooks
Joe Hockenbury
Angela Bruno
Chris Holland
Liz Byrd
Jennifer R. Hoover
Junine Castin
Honorable Suzanne Jenkins
Chere Chilton
Michael A. Jennings, Chair
Lena Covington
Asst. Chief Jimmy Judge
Valerie Feinberg
Asst. Chief Elizabeth Kenny
Hana Ferguson
John Kiddy
Debbie Gierke
Dan King
Liz Grebe
Neil King
Amy Harrell
Dierdre Kyle
Sarah Henderson
Linda Lanier
Jennifer Hewett-Apperson
Wanda Lanier
Ashley Hietpas
Janice Lowe
Haleigh Hutchison
Patrick McElhaney
Ed Jenkins
Bobi McGinnis
Jimmy Johnson
Kelly Madden
Liz Knight
Dorothy Merrick
Circe LeNoble
Audrey McKibbin Moran
Terry Lorince
Michael Munz
Angela C. Mack
Allison Naseri
Megan McElwee
John Pharr
Pamela Nix Elizabeth Odom
Ronald King
FORMER AMBASSADORS
Abdul Ali-Baqi Curtis Allen Carol Bianco Henry Bing
Steven Blystone Bobby Born Nathan Brooken Joey Brooks Wesley Brooks Willie Browner Gary Butler Misty Carmichael Ann Chinn Chris Cisafulli Lydia Cobbert Shemika Coleman John Collier JaRod Collins Richard Cooper Cedrick Council James Cox Michael Craig Joshua Curry LaVerne Cuyler Alan Dailey Bill Dambrosio Dashia Edwards Otha Evans Jerome Foracker Brian Fossick Sabrina Frederick Joshua Givens Ardese Hall Darrell Hall Celeste Harrell Jill Harris Leetoy Harris Michael Harvell Mark Heincker
Larry Kirtsey Elizabeth Knight Todd Knighten Joseph Krzykowski Taveras Leonard Chuck Lysaght Nivia McIntosh
Jason McKnight Kim Mize Nancy Norman Michael O’Brien Alicia Oreskovich Stanley Price Burt Pringle Stefan Robinson Victor Rodriguez Tiffeny Russell Ethel “Michelle” Sam Luz Santiago Joseph Schaeffer Ronnie Sellers Andre Silas Deibra Smith Nathan Smith Saterica Stewart Sarah Sykes Roderick Terry Derek Thomas Donte Thomas Joseph Thompson Joel Thrasher Ivan Victoria Nate Washington Beverly Waters Clarence Webb Antonio Williams Gloria Williams Leon Williams Liz Wilson Sean Wilson Renard Winn
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ISSUED OCTOBER 2020. DOWNTOWN VISION, INC. 214 NORTH HOGAN STREET #120, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202