The City of Jacksonville Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (JaxParks) announced its 2015 summer schedule.
 
This year’s summer camps range from day-camp activities to sports skills to oceanfront experiences. JaxParks will host day-enrichment camps at 12 locations for ages 6 to 12, a Kids Camp for 5-year-olds, tennis camp for ages 6 to 13, Ocean Camp for ages 8 to 15 and Aqua Camp for ages 10 to 14. Most camps are offered in three two-week sessions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, June 22. Extended day is available from 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.

The City of Jacksonville, in partnership with the Jacksonville City Council, will host the second annual tire and sign buy-back event at EverBank Field on Saturday, March 28 as part of efforts to curb neighborhood and urban blight.

Residents can trade in up to 10 tires at a rate of $2 per tire, or up to 40 illegal snipe signs for 50 cents per sign. In 2014, the city collected more than 23,000 tires and 6,000 illegal signs at the event. 

Ordinance 2015-60 Moves Forward Efforts to Invest in Underserved Neighborhoods

Mayor Alvin Brown today signed legislation that moves forward the efforts of his Renew Jax initiative.  The mayor was joined by Jacksonville City Council members and other city leaders at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church as he signed Ordinance 2015-60, which advances the city’s collaboration with the private and non-profit sectors to invest in Jacksonville neighborhoods. Jacksonville City Council passed the ordinance by a unanimous vote on March 10.
 
“I’m encouraged by the momentum and progress behind Renew Jax and the many partnerships that are making it possible. These collaborations will breathe new life into our neighborhoods and improve the lives of those who live in them,” said Mayor Brown.  “By leveraging public, private and non-profit investments, we are fostering a healthy environment that helps bring in more jobs and opportunity, and create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods for everyone in Jacksonville.”
 
Council Member Reggie Brown was in attendance at the event, which was held in his district. He was encouraged by the potential that Renew Jax holds for Northwest Jacksonville neighborhoods.
 
“The people in these neighborhoods have been looking for investments like these for a long time now. I’m excited to move forward on these concrete actions,” said Council Member Brown. “These enhancements will empower our neighborhoods by improving the lives of residents and creating safer, more attractive and lively communities where businesses can invest and thrive.”

The National League of Cities (NLC) recognized Mayor Alvin Brown and the City of Jacksonville for the recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! Initiative, which aims to ensure that kids grow up healthy. LMCTC works closely with local elected officials nationwide to adopt policies that improve access to healthy affordable food and opportunities for physical activity for their constituents across five goal areas.
 
“We congratulate Jacksonville for your dedication to building a healthier community for children and families,” said NLC President Ralph Becker, mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah. “Through the tireless leadership and action of local elected officials in cities, towns and counties across the country, we hope to see continued progress in reversing America’s epidemic of childhood obesity.” 

Today Mayor Alvin Brown hosted the 23rd Annual Mayor’s Environmental Awards Luncheon, which highlighted the accomplishments of local organizations, companies and individuals in environmental awareness and advocacy.  Each award was presented by the mayor and leaders of local organizations.
 
“Everyone has a responsibility to be a steward of our environment,” said Mayor Brown. “The individuals and organizations we’re honoring today not only accept this responsibility, they embrace it. Jacksonville is fortunate to have great people who care so deeply and passionately about protecting our great natural resources.”

Initiative gives residents new, easy-to-use tools to identify and report blight

Members of the City Council Special Ad Hoc Committee on Neighborhood Blight and city leaders today unveiled the Fight Blight initiative, designed to give residents new, easy-to-use tools to identify and report blight. 

New Public Art and BARGE Event Series Will Help Activate Downtown

Adding to the exciting wave of Downtown renewal, the new, improved Southbank Riverwalk opened today with an event at Friendship Fountain. Mayor Alvin Brown, Council President Clay Yarborough, Councilmembers Warren Jones, John Crescimbeni and Don Redman, and other city leaders announced new features and opportunities in celebration of the opening of this renovated Downtown centerpiece.
 
“This newly redesigned Southbank Riverwalk will add even more momentum to our Downtown riverfront and serve as a destination for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Brown. “This new 4,000-foot Riverwalk provides a unique experience for the public to enjoy our treasured St. Johns River, and represents a great investment in the quality of life and future of our community.”
 
Originally constructed in 1985, the Southbank Riverwalk was reconstructed during an 18-month design-build project led by the Haskell Company, in partnership with CH2MHill and Flagg Design. The $17 million project replaced the aging wood structure with a concrete path on the river, featuring colorful paver bricks. 

"The Riverwalk is a great asset,” said Council President Clay Yarborough. “I'm thankful the project is finished so that our residents and visitors can enjoy the river and Downtown from this venue once again."

Ordinance 2014-560 Empowers the DIA to Accomplish Key Downtown Projects 

Mayor Alvin Brown signed Ordinance 2014-560 into law Tuesday during the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) board meeting, authorizing the DIA to be the community redevelopment agency for Downtown.  The legislation empowers the DIA to move important projects forward, such as redevelopment of the Shipyards, and The Jacksonville Landing.
 
“Downtown Jacksonville is on the move, and we’ve seen great progress over the past few years,” said Mayor Brown. “With today’s bill signing, the DIA is now the full-fledged engine for Downtown Jacksonville that will drive more jobs, residents and investment in our urban core and revitalize the heart of our city and Northeast Florida.”

View the legislative summary for Ordinance 2014-560.

Building on major new investments by Jacksonville University, Mayor Alvin Brown was joined today by City Council members and Jacksonville University President Tim Cost to announce that the City’s Renew Jax initiative will expand to the Arlington area.  Launched by Mayor Brown in November 2014, Renew Jax is designed to empower and revitalize key Jacksonville neighborhoods and corridors through public-private partnerships.

View the Renew Arlington Fact Sheet

“Arlington is a community that’s ready for a turnaround,” said Mayor Brown.  “It’s a neighborhood with a great past and I believe it can look forward to a great future.  By leveraging public and private investments, we will create new business and job opportunities along with a safer, more vibrant environment for everyone in Arlington.”

Next Step for Renew Jax & Youth Initiatives Focuses on Keeping Young People Out of Trouble

Building on his Renew Jax and Youth initiatives launched last year, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown today announced a comprehensive series of crime prevention and intervention strategies that involve faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, parks, youth sports, law enforcement and the juvenile justice system working together to help keep Jacksonville’s young people out of trouble. 

Crime Prevention & Intervention Initiatives Fact Sheet | Watch video from Mayor Brown's speech

“Effective law enforcement is necessary to stop crime,” said Mayor Brown. “But we also know that our community is safest when we prevent crime from happening in the first place. The best way to do that is by all of us working together to provide our children and young people with the positive opportunities and support they need to thrive and follow the right path in life.”

Public Technology Institute Recognizes Jacksonville for High Standards in Citizen Participation, Service Delivery

The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has designated Jacksonville as a “Citizen-Engaged Community”, one of 18 city or county governments nationwide to be recognized for its best practices in engaging citizens through customer service centers, such as the one Jacksonville operates through 630-CITY.
           
Communities’ applications were reviewed for excellence in several areas for their contact centers, including citizen participation processes, integrated communication channels, integrated technology, and performance reporting.

Council Members Join Partnership to Launch Initiative

Partnering with LISC Jacksonville, Mayor Alvin Brown and City Council members today announced new investments to improve and empower neighborhoods for residents and businesses through a joint initiative called Renew Jax.

RenewJax information packet | YouTube Video

Renew Jax is founded on public-private partnerships to improve and expand housing opportunities, promote economic development and job creation, and strengthen families.  The initiative will empower neighborhoods and improve quality of life.  The initial projects announced today are located in East Jacksonville and Northwest Jacksonville.

Study by Visit Jacksonville Shows Local Impact Increased from 2013

This year’s annual Georgia-Florida Football Classic proved to be even more successful than last year, with 132,882 out-of-town visitors generating $33.3 million in economic impact for Jacksonville, according to research by Visit Jacksonville.  The data shows the local impact increased $784,000 from 2013.

There were 37,118 room nights booked throughout the city for the game, generating $3.5 million in room revenue.  Room revenue from hotel stays increased from 2013 by almost $100,000.  Nearly 17,000 jobs were supported by the weekend events, the research shows.

Mayor Alvin Brown announced a multi-agency coalition and launched a six-month campaign to address pedestrian and bicycle safety in Jacksonville today on the front steps of City Hall.

Mayor Brown was joined in support by Council Members Don Redman, District 4, Dr. Johnny Gaffney, District 7 and Jim Love, District 14. During the event, Nathanial P. Ford Sr., chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Assistant Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools Paul Soares and Chief Michelle Cook from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office each commented on their respective agency’s ongoing efforts and overall goals in addressing bike and pedestrian safety. Other agency and advocacy groups were in attendance to support the coalition, including FDOT, AARP and the Florida Highway Patrol.

EverBank Field Ready to Host Bulldogs and Gators
 
The University of Georgia will take home field against the University of Florida on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at EverBank Field for the annual Georgia-Florida Football Classic, played in Jacksonville since 1933.

“The Georgia-Florida Football Classic has always been much more than just a game,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “It’s a great Jacksonville tradition and a hugely popular get-together for students, alumni and fans from Florida, Georgia and beyond.  It brings many benefits to our city, including the positive economic impact from so many out-of-town visitors and the spotlight it shines on Jacksonville as a leading destination for big-time sports.  This promises to be a great week for Jacksonville and a great week for the Gator and Bulldog fans who’ll be joining us from far and wide.”

View Georgia-Florida Fast Facts Sheet