Walk of Stars
•Florida Theatre’s “Walk of Stars” sidewalk beautification project was approved by the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) at its April meeting. The project, proposed by RPC General Contractors, will be a fund-raising mechanism as there will be 39 stars on the sidewalk (similar to the one in Hollywood) ranging in size from 12” to 40” available for purchase.  Phase one is already sold out!  To purchase a star, contact Erik Hart at (904) 355-5661.  Each star will be engraved with the name of the purchaser. 

Upcoming Events
•The Jacksonville Jazz Festival will take place May 21-24.  This year’s festival will feature a variety of jazz genres and activities all in a new location: the heart of Downtown Jacksonville.  For the first time, the event will take place on Laura Street between Hemming Plaza and the Landing.  Visit www.jaxjazzfest.com for more information and full schedule of events.

Sheriff Visits Downtown
•As part of the Sheriff's Neighborhood Crime Prevention Walk program, Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford hit the streets of Downtown Jacksonville along with State Attorney Angela Corey, members of DVI, JEDC, city agencies such as Code Enforcement and representatives from the Downtown Public Library, as well as several business owners and stakeholders.  The purpose of the walk was to give Sheriff Rutherford an opportunity to meet with the downtown business owners and residents to learn more about their concerning issues.

Courthouse Update
•The DDRB approved the foundation permit for the new Duval County Courthouse and the preparation for the construction of the foundation has begun. Beginning May 26, a portion of Monroe Street will be closed to allow for construction.  The foundation is expected to be poured around the first of June.

Streetscape Updates
•Construction on the streetscaping portion of the Bay Street Town Center Phase II project has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of August.  Improvements will include streetscaping on both sides of Bay Street between Ocean and Main, on the south side of Bay Street from Ocean to Newnan and on both sides of Market Street from Bay to Forsyth streets.  New lighting, trees and pavers are being installed as part of the project.

2009 Jacksonville Film Festival
•The 2009 Jacksonville Film Festival took place May 14-21.  There were more than 50 different film and documentary screenings throughout Downtown and Riverside. Some of the films had a connection to Jacksonville, either part of the film was shot in Jacksonville or the director, producer, writer or cast member was from Jacksonville.  Visit www.jacksonvillefilmfestival.com for more information.

Pilates Body Sculpting Classes Offered Downtown
•Lunch hour Pilates body sculpting classes are offered every Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ed Ball Building.  Prices are $5.00 per class or $39.00 per session (12 classes).  All fitness levels are welcome.  For more information, contact Donna Raulerson at (904) 655-5525 or donnar1324@yahoo.com.  

NCAA 2010 Basketball Championship
•The “Second Chance” presale tickets for the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament went on sale Monday, May 18.  Jacksonville will host the first and second round final games on March 19 and 21, 2010.   Click here for ticket information.

Downtown Digs
•More than 30 volunteers came out on May 16 for the second “Downtown Digs,” an initiative to enhance the streetscape in Downtown.  Nearly 150 tree beds were weeded, cleaned and mulched.

MOCA Update
•The University of North Florida is helping the Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 333 N. Laura St.  UNF will lend the museum up to $500,000 and the building will become eligible for state funding.  The move creates more opportunities for joint programs and better use of the museum’s resources.

Downtown Welcomes:
•NuVox Communications Inc., a telecommunications provider, recently opened a multi-million dollar data center at 421 W. Church St. in Downtown.  The 5,000-square-foot facility doubled its existing space.
•Tonsor Men's Barbershop will soon occupy space in The Carling, located at 31 W. Adams St.

THE PLAYERS Downtown Experience
•THE PLAYERS Downtown Experience returned for its third consecutive year.  The six-day event included several activities at the Landing, live entertainment around Downtown, free admission to the Cummer Museum, Foundation for Hospital Art PaintFest and much more.

“Jacksonville is a city rich in arts and culture, and I am excited about the completion of this project,” said Mayor John Peyton. “It is a great example of the type of public-private partnership that will have a lasting, positive impact on our city. The market will provide another great downtown destination for citizens and visitors to enjoy.”

The market features more than 150 art vendors, live entertainment, free parking, food and a children’s creativity corner. Participating artists include painters, bakers, sculptors, farmers, potters, herb gardeners, wood carvers, jewelers, weavers and more.  The market is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 19 – rain or shine – under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge on Riverside Avenue. Admission is free to the public.

“There have been many key players over the years that have brought us to this point. The buzz has been steadily growing about the potential for the Arts Market, and I am glad to have played a part in helping to develop this great, new edition to the riverfront,” said Councilman Corrigan.

Organized by Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), the market has been more than 16 years in the making. It is a partnership between the City of Jacksonville, Florida Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, Jacksonville Transportation Authority and JEA. Sponsors, including Winn-Dixie, WJCT, The Florida Times-Union, Julie and Michael McKenney and The Haskell Company, have also played a key role in making this concept a reality.

RAP’s Market Research and Development Committee (Doug Coleman, Pamela Telis, Wayne Wood, Cindy Guy and Teresa Fish) coordinated more than 100 volunteers who contributed more than 4,000 hours of talent in the creation of the market.

"Imagination combined with skill creates art. Jacksonville is going to surprise you with how much really fine, creative talent you'll find at the market," said Committee Chair Doug Coleman.