Special Committee on the Future of Downtown Meeting - March 23, 2026

The Special Committee on the Future of Downtown met on March 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The meeting covered two main agenda items: an update from the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) and a presentation on focus area one regarding public realm coordination. Key discussions focused on aligning governance, funding, and operations for downtown public spaces, as well as updates on development projects and planning initiatives.

Discussion Items

DIA Update (Colin Tarbert, CEO)

• Financial Consultant & Incentive Study: DIA received JPAC approval for three financial consultants—CHM Warnick (hospitality), BJH Advisors/Foresight Street Advisors (mixed-use), and PFM (municipal finance)—to support underwriting and incentive evaluation. Contracts are being finalized, and the consultants will be available within 30-45 days. A full incentive study is expected by year-end.
• Planning Initiatives: Three RFPs are being drafted: a digital twin (3D GIS model), updated downtown design guidelines, and an overall master plan update (five-year cycle). The digital twin and design guidelines are expected to go out in 30-60 days.
• Development Updates: The N7 project (740 apartment units, $28 million incentive request) is expected to go to City Council in May. Riverfront Plaza restaurant solicitation closes March 28; Riverfront Plaza Phase II (beer garden) aims for completion by end of 2027. Riverfront Music Garden opens in spring 2026. Shipyards office building (One Tower Court) is opening soon. On the South Bank, Friendship Fountain restaurant solicitation closes March 31; MOSH demolition timeline finalized (notice to proceed expected soon, taking ~5 months); Related Group to begin pile work soon.
• Disposition Activity: 330 East Bay Street received one proposal; evaluation committee meets April 1, board consideration in April.
• Other Projects: 44 West Monroe Street and 231 North Laura Street (Mags Cafe) legislation filed; Baptist Health Hotel redevelopment (eight million dollar completion grant) moving forward; La Villa Heritage Trail markers installation beginning.
• Good News: Green Leaf Building (JWB office) and The Hub (food and beverage) ribbon cuttings celebrated.

Councilmember Questions/Comments

• Councilmember Pelusa expressed opposition to the riverfront plaza restaurant, suggesting it may be too much activation alongside the beer garden and gateway project. He requested a timetable to space out developments and noted lack of an operator for the cafe.
• Councilmember Matt Carlucci emphasized that DIA has vetted these projects and the committee should respect their authority.
• The Chair asked about the cafe operator update (deferred to Parks).
• Councilmember Pelusa inquired about Hans Tanzler Marina timeline (Parks to provide schedule) and management (in-house via Docemaster).
• Councilmember Matt Carlucci requested the marina be referred to as Hans Tanzler Jr.

Public Realm Coordination (Laura Edgecombe)

• Charge: Focus Area 1—map public space stakeholders, agencies, ownership, operations, maintenance, and programming; identify redundancies and gaps; recommend changes.
• Key Gaps Identified: Lack of clear role definition, sustainable funding/capacity, consistent vibrancy/density, and overarching downtown marketing/positioning strategy.
• Recommendations:
  1. Expand Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) boundaries to match the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) boundaries to align services and reduce confusion.
  2. Transfer operations and management of James Weldon Johnson Park from Friends of the Park to Downtown Vision Inc. (DVI), with oversight under DIA. This requires legislative amendments.
  3. (Forthcoming) Office of Sports and Entertainment to propose updates to Chapter 191 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code regarding special event permitting.
• Request: Support from the Mayor’s Office to convene facilitated interagency working sessions (including DIA, Parks, Public Works, Sports & Entertainment, DVI, committee chair, and OGC) to establish unified public realm operating agreements, funding strategies, and performance metrics.

Councilmember Questions/Comments

• Councilmember Pelusa strongly supported the expansion of BID to include Brooklyn, especially for ambassador services and cleanliness. He advocated for DVI to clean DOT-owned rights-of-way. He confirmed Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park (Liz) is on board.
• Councilmember Matt Carlucci asked about planters and beautification (addressed in future streetscape work). He suggested a small millage increase for litter cleanup.
• Councilmember Pelusa raised the need for streamlined reporting of maintenance issues (potholes, missing bricks, lights) and advocated for DVI to handle beautification.
• Councilmember Salem urged minimizing outside legal counsel and relying on OGC for legislative drafting.
• Councilmember Boylan inquired about including the Jacksonville Riverfront Alliance (JRA) in working sessions; Ms. Edgecombe agreed to invite them as contract negotiations progress.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus to proceed with legislative actions for BID boundary expansion and James Weldon Johnson Park management transfer. OGC (Michelle) will coordinate with DVI and stakeholders to draft ordinances.
• Support for convening interagency working sessions, facilitated by a third party, with participation from the Mayor’s Office, OGC, and relevant agencies. The Chair will serve as committee representative. JRA will be invited pending contract status.
• Office of Sports and Entertainment to bring Chapter 191 ordinance update to the committee in April.
• No formal votes were taken; the meeting concluded with directives to move forward on these items and report back in April.