WEDNESDAY July 31, 2019
Public legal notices begin on page 3
jaxdailyrecord.com • 35 cents
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JAXUSA PARTNERSHIP QUARTERLY MEETING JACKSONVILLE
Daily Record
Initiatives working to make area’s transportation ‘smart’
The Florida Ballet is moving to 10131 Atlantic Blvd., the former Arlington YMCA and Bolero Cultural Center space.
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE
The Florida Ballet is moving to Arlington
The organization is leaving Downtown for former YMCA space on Atlantic Boulevard. BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER
technology in Northeast Florida’s transportation sector. Cybersecurity and attracting a skilled workforce were top issues, the panel said, as well as shortening planning cycles in the public sector that can slow the pace of integration. The panel discussed ongoing projects that are advancing their shared goal of making Jacksonville and North Florida a smart region. Sheffield said that TPO’s “Smart North Florida” initiative is allowing a public parking management program in St. Augustine to collect payments via smartphone apps to improve efficiency for drivers and the city.
The Florida Ballet will leave Downtown in August, relocating to 10131 Atlantic Blvd. The ballet, at 300 E. State St. since 2004, is moving to accommodate the growth of the program, according to a post on The Florida Ballet Facebook page. Executive Director Martha Lemire couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. “As The Florida Ballet continues to grow, the need for more space, parking, programming, and meeting the evolving needs for those we serve is great,” the post said. The Florida Ballet bought the 3.35-acre site and 28,504-squarefoot Atlantic Boulevard building for $1.55 million July 24. It’s the former Arlington YMCA and Bolero Cultural Center space. According to the Northeast Florida Conservatory website, it
SEE PANEL, PAGE 2
SEE BALLET, PAGE 2
Special to the Daily Record
From left, JEA CEO Aaron Zahn; JAXUSA Partnership Chair Ray Driver, a partner with Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow; RS&H Vice President Morgan County; North Florida Transportation Planning Organization Executive Director Jeff Sheffield; and JTA CEO Nat Ford. Zahn, Sheffield and Ford served on a panel Tuesday about Smart Cities Initiatives and Technology at the JAXUSA Partnership quarterly meeting. County moderated the discussion.
Data-sharing, autonomous vehicle transit network among efforts highlighted in CEO panel discussion. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Advances in Northeast Florida’s effort to become a “smart region” was the focus Tuesday for JAXUSA Partnership members at the JAX Chamber group’s quarterly meeting. Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford; North Florida Transpor-
tation Planning Organization Executive Director Jeff Sheffield; and JEA Managing Director and CEO Aaron Zahn participated in a panel discussion at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel, moderated by engineering services company RS&H Vice President Morgan County. “We’ve all become familiar with smart technology. Whether it be a smartphone, smart TV, smart lightbulbs. Our entire homes can now be considered smart,” County said. “But how does that scale up when you’re talking about entire transportation networks — cities, regions, entire states?” The three CEOs discussed challenges for implementing and adopting smart
Casper building-out at Town Center Casper, the online mattress and sleep products company, is building-out a store at St. Johns Town Center. Casper mattresses range from $395 for a twin Essential model to $2,495 for California king Wave model, according to its website. The company also sells pillows, bed frames, bedding, glow lights and dog beds. The city issued a permit Tuesday to Alliance Retail Construction for a $68,000 build-out of 2,514 square feet of space at 4711 River City Drive, No. 107. The site previously was leased to Smart Bamboo.
VOLUME 106, NO. 180 • ONE SECTION