Country Comes to Town (Downtown)
•If you were near the Landing on January 16, you probably noticed Robert Burck a.k.a. “The Naked Cowboy.”  The 39-year old guitar player/singer is infamous in New York City’s Time Square for entertaining passerbyers while wearing next to nothing.  He made an appearance in Downtown Jacksonville while traveling south to Tampa for the Superbowl.    

Billy Joel & Elton John Coming to Town
•Billy Joel and Elton John are kicking off their world tour in Jacksonville!  The duo will sing for the first time together on March 2 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

2009 Streetscape Updates
•City Council approved funding for the proposed Laura Street Improvements Program.  Construction is scheduled to begin in October and includes streetscaping, landscaping and traffic improvements along Laura Street from the Landing to Hemming Plaza.  To view the Laura Street Conceptual Development Plan presentation, click here.  To learn more about Downtown's comprehensive streetscape plan, view the Downtown Action Plan.

•Bay Street, between Ocean and Newnan streets, will be converted from a one-way to a two-way street.  Construction is scheduled to begin in early summer of 2009.

•Independent Drive, from Laura to Newnan streets, will also be converted from a one-way to a two-way street, with construction commencing in the fall of 2009.

•New traffic lights that can reverse the direction of lanes for special events, such as football games, are being considered for Bay Street. The city will begin reviewing bids the first of February.

Destination Downtown
•Several Downtown bar owners have organized “Destination Downtown,” a three-month promotion offering free cover charges, transportation between bars, drink specials and discounted hotel rates every Friday night in Downtown.  The first night of the promotion, January 9, was a huge success.  Click here for a list of participating establishments.

DVI’s 2009 Priorities
•Priorities for 2009 were discussed at Downtown Vision, Inc.’s (DVI) quarterly meeting held on January 15.  Traffic pattern changes, safety in public places and Downtown events such as “Destination Downtown” were all identified as priorities.  DVI also established the “Great Streets” program, a complimentary effort by the private sector to beautify the street-level environment in Downtown for early summer.  Stay tuned for more information.

Riverplace Development
•The JEDC Commissioners approved an amendment to a redevelopment agreement with Riverplace Development, LLC to build the 141-unit San Marco Place.  The Southbank condominium tower was completed in 2008 and is almost completely sold-out.  The amendment allows the developers to begin receiving their public investment for building market rate housing while some remaining units are unsold.

New Art
•Suddath is adding some color to their Southbank office.  Artist Holly Blanton of Holly Blanton Art was hired to paint “native foliage themed” murals on the two-story parking garage and add decorative concrete to the walkways leading up to the building from the Mary Street entrance.  The project will be finished by the end of February.

Gator Bowl Attendance
•Approximately 60,000 fans watched as the Nebraska Huskers defeated the Clemson Tigers in the 64th Gator Bowl at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on New Year’s Day.