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 @UnderSiege360

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Things To Do Downtown

Arts & Culture

• Artist at Work: Sarah Crooks at Jax Makerspace
• Crafts and Cravings Festival at Jacksonville Landing.Runs through Sunday, Jan. 13.
• The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery at The Omni Hotel
• FSCJ Artist Series Presents: Swan Lake at Times-Union Center
• Icons of the Harlem Renaissance at Jacksonville Main Library
• Jacksonville Symphony Presents: Mozart Opera Scenes at Times-Union Center

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.

City Council Meeting Join the City of Jacksonville for a City Council Meeting. Details. When: Tuesday, January 8, 5 p.m. Where: City Council Chamber, City Hall, 117 W. Duval St. 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.

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#DTJax News

• 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
• VyStar seeks $11.4 million in permits to renovate Downtown building for headquarters
• Dalton Agency owners plan “Sidebar” in space vacated by Subway Downtown
• Councilwoman Boyer Prepares Downtown Development Guidelines Proposal
• Dream of bringing Naval warship museum to Jacksonville is not dead yet 

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New businesses in #DTJax:

MLG Jax Restaurant 400 N. Hogan St. Now Open!	Vagabond Coffee Co. 223 N. Hogan St. Now Open!
Burlock & Barrel Distillery 417 Magnolia St. Coming Soon	Joysticks Arcade Lounge and Retro Bar 120 E. Forsyth St. Coming Soon
The Manhattan Sports Bar & Lounge 345 E. Bay St. Coming Soon	Mathers Social Gathering 120 E. Forsyth St. Coming Soon
SHOR Tavern, Hyatt Regency 225 E. Coastline Dr. Coming Soon	Vagabond Coffee Co. 112 W. Adams St. Coming Soon

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Stories From BlogDTJax.com

• 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 Please join Downtown Vision, Inc. next Tuesday for the next Downtown Stakeholder Meeting. When: Tuesday, January 15, 8:30 a.m. Where: Ed Ball Building, 1st Floor Training Room DVI will host its first 2019 Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting with speaker Council President Aaron Bowman and a a discussion with: Dawn Lockhart – Director of Strategic Partnerships, City of Jacksonville. Dawn Gilman – Changing Homelessness Cindy Funkhauser – Sulzbacher Center Penny Kievett – City Rescue Mission Major Bert Tanner – Salvation Army DVI will also provide updates on upcoming Downtown events. To attend, please RSVP to our Director of District Services, Eric Miller via email.       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 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.