Main Street Streetscaping Update
• The Main Street streetscaping project is finished. The project stretches along Main Street from Forsyth to State Streets and added Date Palms and other foliage, brick pavers and a pocket park along Main Street. On June 19, Mayor John Peyton will attend a ribbon cutting for the completed project. 

Weekly Live Broadcast
• What started as a conversation between Michael Bouda, JEDC Sports & Entertainment Manager and Jack O’Brien with 1010 XL radio, ultimately resulted in a weekly live broadcast of Mac and Ballou’s mid day sports talk show.  The show started June 11, and will broadcast live every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hemming Plaza.

Laura Street Transfer Station
• The JEDC approved the first Downtown development project subject to new Transportation Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA) standards and obligations.  The proposed project consists of two buildings: a 2,920 sq. ft. convenience store and an 8,780 sq. ft. office building with restaurant space. Located adjacent to the Rosa Parks ASE Terminal End Station on Laura Street between State and Union Streets, the proposed project will provide ASE and transit pass information and sales.  Both buildings will be designed to engage the pedestrian by including architectural awnings to protect pedestrians from the elements and large windows and doorways that face the sidewalk to enhance the security of pedestrians.  The adherence to the proposed TCEA mitigation standards by the developer will promote transit and walkability in Downtown. The project will also provide patrons of the ASE Terminal End Station with restaurant and retail opportunities within close walking distance.

New Bar Opening Downtown
• A new bar, The Ivy Ultra Bar, is expected to open at 113 Bay Street near the end of July. An ultra bar is a hybrid mix of a local neighborhood bar and a nightclub, providing the best of both worlds. The bar will be a blend of Las Vegas, New York and Miami concepts – but tailored to Jacksonville’s unique style.  For more information, please click here.

Newspaper Stands
• The JEDC and DVI are currently evaluating newspaper stands Downtown and plan to replace them with more aesthetically pleasing and centrally located versions once the evaluation effort is completed.

CREW Jacksonville After-Hours Event Coming Downtown
• The Commercial Real Estate Women’s (CREW) after-hours event will be held July 2, at Burrito Gallery followed by a presentation on the economic impact of the arts community in Jacksonville. Amy Crane, Deputy Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville will speak. JEDC and MACTEC are sponsoring the event, held in conjunction with Downtown’s July Art Walk!  For more information, please visit the CREW Web site.

New Baptist Tower Going on Southbank
• Baptist Medical Center-Downtown is adding a new 12-story, 350,000 sq. ft. tower.  The new tower, named Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital Adult Tower, will replace the existing multi-story East Wing of the original hospital, as well as the  Southeast Annex Building and the MRI addition. The Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) granted conceptual approval for the project in May.  Once construction begins, the project will take about two years to complete.

Make a Scene Downtown!
• Join the fun and “Make a Scene Downtown!” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday in June. Enjoy live entertainment, drink specials and food in Hemming Plaza.  “Make a Scene Downtown!” is a summer promotion created by the city with lots of activities and special events.  Please click here for more information.

JTA to Replace Bus Shelters
• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is planning to replace bus shelters to make them safer and more comfortable for bus patrons. JTA is currently analyzing successful bus shelter designs in other cities, with assistance from JEDC and DVI staff.  JTA will install the newly designed shelters throughout Downtown.

DVI’s Ambassadors have New Hours
• DVI’s Ambassadors have new extended hours. New hours are Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The Ambassadors help make Downtown safer and friendlier.  They are also available to escort people by calling (904) 465-7980.  For more information, please visit DVI’s Web site.

Post Office Branch New to The Jacksonville Landing
• Sundrez, a card and gift shop, relocated to The Jacksonville Landing and added a
new U.S. Postal Service branch.  The post office offers all postal products and shipping services, excluding post office boxes and postal money orders.

New Restaurant/Pub near Sports Complex
• The Gas Knob Restaurant & Pub opened in late May in the space once occupied by the Amsterdam Sky Café, located at 234 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week inspired by places like Ireland, Central America and the United States.

Downtown’s Newest Retailers
• AMG Uptown Salon and Day Spa
525 W. Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-356-1081

• Angel Calling Recording Studio
1515 Prudential Dr., Suite 100A
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-224-2231