Blog

The following is this week’s issue of the #DTJax Weekly Update e-newsletter. To receive this in your email inbox each week, sign-up here.

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Instagram of the Week 

Photo by @kt.visuals

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Things To Do Downtown

Arts & Culture

Live Music & Nightlife 

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Get Involved

Each year Downtown Vision evaluates the state of Downtown Jacksonville and collects data on how to improve the Downtown experience. If you live or work in #DTJax (Northbank, Southbank, Brooklyn/Riverside, LaVilla or the Stadium District) we want to hear from you! Complete our survey and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to the Downtown restaurant or retailer of your choice. Two winners will be chosen and contacted via the email address provided. Take the DTJax Employee Survey here. Take the DTJax Resident Survey here.

Sheriff’s Watch Meeting    Join JSO officers and community members for monthly discussions about crime issues facing our neighborhoods and hear progress updates. Details. When: Wednesday, January 16, 11 a.m. Where: Main Library, 303 N. Laura St.

Friends of Hemming Park: Quarterly Community Meeting   Join Friends of Hemming Park for a Quarterly Meeting to hear a year-in-review and a look ahead at plans for the park and scheduled events for the upcoming year. When: Thursday, January 31, 5-6:30 p.m. Where: Friends of Hemming Park Office, Main Library (1st Floor), 303 N. Laura St. Complete a short survey prior to the meeting for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Details.

City Council Meeting Join the City of Jacksonville for a City Council Meeting. Details. When: Tuesday, January 22, 5 p.m. Where: City Council Chamber, City Hall, 117 W. Duval St.

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#DTJax News

• The Florida Times-Union approved to move Downtown
• Jacksonville transportation hub project moving along
• The Cawton Report: Boyer says she’s interested in DIA CEO job; Scott, DeSantis sworn in
• International leaders say what it takes to sell Jacksonville
• Business Brief: JEA Receives 6 Bids To Build Utility’s Next Headquarters
• The Mathis Report: SunTrust’s Downtown build-out tops $1 million
• This week in restaurant news: new Jumpin’ Jax location, more downtown sweets
• Look Ahead: With new chief exec, Visit Jax eyes growth
• VyStar’s Downtown Jacksonville Signs Move Closer To Approval
• The Jackson: Jacksonville Could Get Train Route To Other Florida Cities
• MLG a reason to visit downtown Jacksonville
• Jacksonville #4 on Forbes’ Where The Jobs Will Be In 2019 list

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New businesses in #DTJax:

Escape Room 5280 515 N. Newman St. Now Open! The Manhattan Sports Bar & Lounge 345 E. Bay St. Now Open!

SHOR Tavern, Hyatt Regency 225 E. Coastline Dr. Now Open! Burlock & Barrel Distillery 417 Magnolia St. Coming Soon Joysticks Arcade Lounge and Retro Bar 120 E. Forsyth St. Coming Soon Mathers Social Gathering 120 E. Forsyth St. Coming Soon Vagabond Coffee Co. 112 W. Adams St. Coming Soon

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Stories From BlogDTJax.com

• Downtown Ambassador Spotlight: David Vasquez
• 2018 #DTJax Awards: Michael Ryan, Downtown Ambassador of the Year
• 7 Hidden #DTJax Hotel Restaurants
• #DTJaxSalutes Veteran Ambassadors
• Downtown Ambassador Spotlight: Cindy Ray
• National Outdoors Month in #DTJax
• Celebrating the St. Johns River in #DTJax
• Street Art in #DTJax
• Found in #DTJax: FORGE 3D Printing Studio

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DVI Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting Thank you to everyone who came out to this morning’s Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting! Appreciated hearing from City Council President Aaron Bowman and today’s panel: Dawn Lockhart from the City of Jacksonville, Dawn Gilman from Changing Homelessness, Cindy Funkhouser from Sulzbacher, Penny Kievet from City Rescue Mission and Major Bert Tanner from the The Salvation Army. Grateful we have so many leaders working together to address homelessness in our city. Welcome to our new Board Members!   We are very excited to welcome three new Board members to Downtown Vision’s Board of Directors: Zach Ashourian with Ash Properties, Ryan McIntyre with VyStar Credit Union and Dawn Southworth with Omni Jacksonville. Read about them here. Thanks to the Jacksonville Business Journal for the article! Hey Jacksonville, show your love for our Bold City!  With help from Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR), Riverside Avondale Preservation and  LISC Jacksonville, we commissioned this killer design from local designer, Alex Songcuan, to show our love for Jacksonville. Get yours today! Proceeds benefit Downtown Vision, as we work to create and support a vibrant Downtown and promote #DTJax as an exciting place to live, work, visit and invest. 4th Annual #DTJax Gala: Havana Nights, Neon Lights Who says you can’t party for a good cause? Join us at the 4th annual #DTJax Gala: Havana Nights, Neon Lights on Saturday, February 23 at 6 p.m. This year’s theme celebrates the world-renowned nightlife of Havana, Cuba – with a #DTJax flair. Help us raise funds for the Lively and Beautiful Sidewalks initiative! Last year we raised nearly $40,000 with the help of our amazing sponsors. Get your tickets today: General Admission: $125 Young Professionals (21-35): Individual: $75 | Couple: $125 VIP: $250, includes access to VIP Lounge and private bar. 4th Annual #DTJax Gala: Havana Nights, Neon Lights Sponsorship Opportunities Support DTJax and gain valuable visibility for your organization when you sponsor Downtown Vision’s 4th Annual #DTJax Gala: Havana Nights, Neon Lights. Download the Gala Sponsorship Kit today for information on sponsorship levels and benefits. Click here for the online sponsor payment option.

2017-2018 Annual Report   Have you ever wondered, “what exactly does DVI do in a year?”    From expanding the Ambassador program by 50% to installing 80,000 LED lights for the “Lights on Laura” installation to topping 100,000 followers on @DTJax social media, check out our latest Annual Report, which highlights accomplishments and financial information for fiscal year 2017-2018. Read or download the PDF here.     2017 State of Downtown Report   It’s an exciting time for Downtown Jacksonville! As we watch Downtown potential turn into action, we have a lot of successes to celebrate. Read about current development, employment, and residential trends in this 12-month look at Downtown Jacksonville’s progress. Read or download the PDF here.           2019 Art Walk Sponsorship Opportunities   Downtown’s signature monthly event, First Wednesday Art Walk attracts 5,000 people each month, spans 15+ blocks with 35+ galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants, bars, and businesses. In its 15th year, Art Walk celebrates the local art scene by featuring hundreds of artists, performers, and live music acts. Be a partner today! Download the kit here.