Tillie K. Fowler Memorial Sculpture
• A memorial to honor former Jacksonville City Council President Tillie Fowler is being created by Rhode Island-based sculptor Brower Hatcher.  The memorial is scheduled to be installed in early 2009 and will be located on the Northbank Riverwalk.  The artist was commissioned by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to commemorate the life and work of Fowler.  For more information about the project, please visit Mid-Ocean Studio’s website.

Visit from Tajikistan
• Officials from Tajikistan visited Jacksonville to learn more about the U.S. legislative process and role of committees.  During their six day trip, the delegates met with several local agencies, including the JEDC, where they learned about the city’s Public Investment Policy.  The International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville coordinated the trip.  Click here for more information on international programs. 

Artists’ Square Opening Soon
• Artists’ Square, a weekend venue where artists will be able to display and sell their artwork, is scheduled to open early fall in the area located under the Fuller Warren Bridge.  The city received a grant from FDOT for hardscape improvements and is currently working on finishing the site.  Fidelity will allow usage of their parking lot on the weekends.

Downtown Vision, Inc to host Blood Drive
• Downtown Vision, Inc is hosting a blood drive in Downtown.  The Blood Alliance will be bringing a bloodmobile to Hemming Plaza on Friday, August 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact Michelle Brooks at 904-634-0303 ext. 230.

Downtown’s only full-service grocery store remodeled
• The Winn-Dixie store located at 777 Market Street has been completely renovated and held a grand re-opening on July 9th.  The JEDC’s Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) reviewed and approved the project’s design and aesthetic relationship with surrounding uses.

Jacksonville’s 4th of July Celebration a Success
• More than 250,000 people celebrated Independence Day in Downtown during the city’s Freedom Fanfare & Fireworks celebration.  The six day event was packed with activities including: nightly live entertainment, ice skating and other family activities, Suns baseball games and fireworks.

Downtown Retail Recruitment
• The JEDC/City of Jacksonville Procurement Department will issue an RFP for two city-owned properties in the LaVilla area of Downtown: 324 N. Broad Street (a .08-acre site with a 4,000 sq. ft., two-story structure) and 628 Duval Street (a .05-acre vacant site for a surface parking lot).  The RFP is scheduled to open at the end of July.  Click here to view the JEDC RFP Web site.  Interested parties should contact Diane Farmer with the city's Procurement Department at 630-1168 or dfarmer@coj.net.

“Eat Up Downtown”
• Downtown Vision, Inc (DVI) is planning the 2nd annual “Eat Up Downtown,” a chance to dine in Downtown at an affordable price.  Participating restaurants will provide a specially selected 3-course dinner menu for $25 during the week of August 18-24.  For more information and to see a list of participating restaurants, please visit DVI’s website.

Downtown Signage Updates
• The city is moving forward with the replacement of existing public parking garage signs in Downtown. The preliminary design has been developed and locations have been finalized for the new signage.  The city’s Public Works Department will be preparing bid specifications and will solicit interest from companies to finalize design, fabricate and install the signs. 

New Motor Scooter Dealership Downtown
• Entrepreneur Ken Watson opened a new motor scooter dealership, Jax City Scooters, at 15 N. Ocean Street last week.  The dealership stocks two sizes of scooters ranging in price from $1,300 to $1,800.

Workshops for Architects-Planning Professionals-Public
• The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) organized the first of many workshops to bring together architects, planning professionals and the public to explore opportunities for specific architectural/urban planning challenges in Jacksonville.  The first meeting focused on the A. Philip Randolph corridor.  Please click here for more information.

Metro Park Marina Dredging Project Completed
• The city’s Metropolitan Park Marina reopened after being closed due to a dredging project.  Approximately 7,854 cubic yards of the marina were dredged as part of ongoing maintenance of the 13-year-old facility. 

July’s “Make a Scene Downtown!”
• Enjoy live entertainment, drink specials and food from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday in July.  “Make a Scene Downtown!” will be held at Crowne Plaza Jacksonville’s pool deck on July 24 and at Omni Jacksonville Hotel’s pool deck on July 31.  Please click here for more information.

Downtown’s Newest Retailers
• Basil Thai and Sushi
1004 Hendricks Avenue
904-674-0190
Open: Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday through Saturday for dinner
starting at 5 p.m.