For our twelfth annual meeting this morning, DVI demonstrated that vision, partnerships and the creative class are essential to energizing Downtown. Here is a brief recap of the meeting:
Immediate Past Chair Mike Jennings of Prudential Financial led the meeting voting in the 2012-2013 Board, with a special recognition of DVI board members Donald Harris and Oliver Barakat, newly elected Chair and Vice Chair of the new Downtown Investment Authority respectively. Jacksonville’s native son, poet, playwright and host of NPR’s State of the Re:Union (SOTRU), Al Letson, entertained attendees with a spoken word performance of “BOOM,” his homage to Downtown Jacksonville. And, Executive Director, Terry Lorince summarized the history of DVI in relation to major city milestones, and recognized the services of Downtown Ambassador, Lydia Cobbert, who celebrates 10 years with DVI.
The feature presentation* was given by newly elected Chair, Chris Flagg of FLAGG Design Studio, LLC, who shared his vision for placemaking in Downtown. How the possibilities for both incremental and aggressive changes to the Downtown streetscape, such as sidewalk cafés, creative signage, lighting and more, can make Downtown a pedestrian’s paradise. How events like DVI’s bring vibrancy to street level. The need for preservation. And, the need for public art and culture. DVI treated attendees to a surprise random act of culture, featuring three Jacksonville University students: Jordyn Jones, Maggie Moore and Brittany Nickle who, on cue, “interrupted” the presentation with a collective operatic performance.
DVI would like to give special thanks to our event sponsor Service Group, Inc. and also to our table sponsors:
- CSX
- Cultural Council
- El-Ad Florida, LLC
- First Choice Repair
- FLAGG Design Studio, LLC
- Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- The Jacksonville Landing
- Perdue, Inc.
- Prudential Financial
- Rayonier, Inc.
- Regency Centers
- Reputation Capital
- Service Group, Inc.
- SunTrust
*Note: The presentation will take a few moments to load.