Group members explore wilds of Jacksonville

Community Spotlight
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Group members explore wilds of Jacksonville
Vic Micolucci

(top) St. Johns Riverkeeper Executive Director Jimmy Orth speaks to JCCI Forward members on the bow of the river taxi.


They laced their tennis shoes and patted sunscreen on their faces like they were taking their kids to the pool. But Wednesday wasn’t a day at the pool for members of the JCCI Forward program. It was a business seminar, only it entailed strolling through downtown Jacksonville instead of sitting in a conference room.

About 35 Jacksonville Community Council Inc. members left their offices early for a half-day of education and fun on the “You Don’t Know Jacksonville” Urban Safari.

JCCI Forward is a self-hailed “initiative for community leaders and citizen-minded individuals who seek to grow from good to great.” The group caters to young professionals aged 25-45 on the First Coast. The Forward committee hoped the Urban Safari, a four hour trek through the wilds of Jacksonville’s downtown grid, would encourage members to get involved in the evolving central district and care about their city’s core.

Four keynote speakers spearheaded the event, which started at the Main Library. Each had their own vision for downtown.

Amy Harrell knows the streets under Jacksonville’s high-rises. As Director of Improvement District Services for Downtown Vision, she helps revitalize the once worn out downtown and turn it into an energetic, inviting city center.

Harrell guided the tour for much of the day. She showed members Hemming Plaza, a section that was turned around from an inner city slum to a park that houses a Friday afternoon market that provides food and music for area workers. It took 6 years for the change, but Harrell said it was an example of what the city is capable of.

She introduced a proposed $3.5 billion worth of renovations in the future that could make downtown Jacksonville no longer a ghost town after the 9 to 5 workday ends. Harrell saw promise in the increased supply and demand of residential space in the area.

Safari participants heard about the ever growing high-rise condo and apartment skyline. They were able to tour a suite in The Carling, a historic building recently whose rooms were made into classy apartments. The 100-room building is at capacity today, proving that people are starting to see downtown as a place to live, not just work.



JCCI Forward members listen to a history tour downtown Wednesday.


Downtown’s charm and glamour undoubtedly come from the river that dissects it.

Safari participants rested their legs as they listened to St. Johns Riverkeeper Executive Director Jimmy Orth speak on a water taxi. He explained the importance of the St. Johns.

“Everyone thinks it is imperative to take care of the river. We need as much access to the river as possible; if people don’t use the river, they won’t be advocates of it.” Orth said he and staff and volunteers for Riverkeeper are pushing for improvements for the city’s river and want to focus on a clean river that ties in to the downtown culture.

The riverkeeper said the best way to get people to care about and fix the river is to give them access to it. He thinks the riverwalk and rising condos help but calls for a new municipal park for city residents to use the river.

Tony Allegretti and Lindsey Ballas spoke to JCCI members about the importance of economic development downtown.

Allegretti is an investor in the Haydon Burns building, the old Main Library. He sees it as a place for businesses to settle and help boost downtown’s appeal. Allegretti, along with business partners, plan to revamp the green-tiled building inside and out in hopes of setting up a downtown marketplace open to restaurants, pharmacies, clothiers, and everything else.

Allegretti promised that as along as he had his hand in the historic building, it would not be knocked down.



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Community Poll
If downtown Jacksonville continues renovating, will you go more often?

a) Yes. A new, fun downtown would make me want to visit more.
b) I already go downtown for things other than work.
c) No. I don't go downtown.
d) Not sure.

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The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission sent Lindsey Ballas to illustrate their vision for the area. Ballas believes all the other speakers and their organizations are making monumental strides in developing downtown.

She says the area needs to attract people for more things than work. One of the most important thing, she says, is the nightlife. Ballas believes trendy restaurants and upscale bars will help plug appeal and dollars into the growing downtown.

The Urban Safari fostered discussion on improving downtown. The purpose was to get members thinking.

Overall, members seemed to learn from the tour and many hoped to become more active in the city center. Participants seemingly enjoyed every part of the educational tour ... every part except the scorching midday sun.

JCCI Forward holds events like the Safari often and is open to new members.

For more information, visit JCCI Forward's web page.