Daily Record Financial News &
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Vol. 105, No. 059 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Give DIA more power? Plan could be tough sell
Jax Mini Storage plans ’19 opening Developer says the San Marco area “ripe with demand.” By early 2019, Liberty Investment Properties Inc. expects to open a project called Jax Mini Storage in the San Marco area, offering almost 700 climatecontrolled units designed for convenience to the hundreds of new apartments and townhomes proposed or Mikkelson u n d e r co n struction in the area. “There is no current new (storage) product in that vicinity and there is a significant amount of growth in residential units, multifamily and single-family homes,” said Adam Mikkelson, president of Orlando-based Liberty Investment Properties Inc.,
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On Oct. 15, 2012, Mayor Alvin Brown signed legislation that authorized the Downtown Investment Authority. His signature was witnessed by, from left, authority board members Oliver Barakat, Rob Clements, Tony Allegretti, Donald Harris, Melody Bishop, Jim Bailey and Kay Harper. Board members Don Shea and Paul Perez did not attend the ceremony.
Turning DIA into an independent agency could speed Downtown development, but take control away from elected leaders. By David Cawton Staff Writer Some City Council members are not sold on the suggestion made by former Jacksonville Civic Council Chair Ed Burr that the Downtown Investment Authority should be more of an independent agency, giving it the autonomy to make decisions outside of the council approval process. The decision to alter the authority’s governing structure could all but halt the council’s ability to vote on and vet projects and economic development deals the DIA does or doesn’t approve. “I’m 100 percent for government always being involved,” said council member Reggie Brown who serves on the council Finance Committee.
“We’ve lost control before,” he said, referring to the former Jacksonville Economic Development Commision, which he said didn’t have enough accountability. “At this time, for us to create another independent authority, I wouldn’t support that,” he said. Speaking to the Meninak Club of Jacksonville, Burr told the group that the DIA — a body the Civic Council helped develop — needs more authority, funding and independence from the City Council if it’s going to be successful. The group of influential business and community leaders has re-engaged its Downtown task force and plans to push hard to reshape the DIA. At the January meeting, Burr DIA
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Downtown Investment Authority established by ordinance in 2012
By Monty Zickuhr Managing Editor
The Downtown Investment Authority was created by city ordinance Aug. 15, 2012, to act as the Community Redevelopment Agency for Downtown. Ordinance 2012-364 states, in part, “The creation of a vibrant, healthy downtown for Jacksonville is a major, multi-faceted long-term and complex challenge that requires the concentrated and continuing effort of a city authority dedicated solely to the downtown mission.” Nine members serve on the authority’s board. Five are appointed by the mayor, four are appointed by the City Council president and all are confirmed by council. Board members serve four-year terms, without compensation, pension or retirement benefits. The authority is led by CEO Aundra Wallace continued on
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City’s second Costco store opens today
By Max Marbut Associate Editor
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Costco members tired of fighting the crowds at St. Johns Town Center now have an alternative. The membership warehouse chain opens its second Jacksonville location at 8 a.m. today on the Westside at 8000 Parramore Road. That’s off Interstate 295 and south of Collins Road across from Walmart Supercenter. “It’s been difficult, we’ve been waiting a long time,” said Costco Wholesale Southeast Regional Marketing Manager Kelly Frasure. The deal to buy the site followed
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Costco
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The Cawton Report: Officials not confirming Project Volt The solar panel manufacturer is seeking millions in city and state incentives. Public
legal notices begin on page
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