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Northeast Florida In the News - Sept. 2005
ALACHUA COUNTY -- Commissioners decided to phase out funding of $401,500 a year for the YMCA starting in 2007.
ARCHER -- Archer lost its third city manager in less than a year when Hugh Williams resigned, complaining of an "unprofessional, negative atmosphere" on the city commission. Williams, a former city manager in south Florida and Pennsylvania, came out of retirement to run the city after commissioners fired Scott Lippmann.
GAINESVILLE -- Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham wants to create a center for public service within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida, his alma mater. The center would have about 75 faculty and staff and would offer three courses of study: Public service, relations between Central, South and North America, and intelligence.
An internal survey found that 60% of non-faculty employees at the University of Florida believe they are underpaid, though most are satisfied with their other benefits. The survey also found employees don't think the administration is interested in their well-being.
The city's Development Review Board approved plans for a Lowe's in the Gainesville Mall. The 167,000-sq.-ft. store will be located on the site of the former Kmart and Maas Brothers department stores.
JACKSONVILLE -- Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver says he has no intention of moving the team from Jacksonville, even though the team sent a letter to city officials that suggested otherwise. The letter -- part of an ongoing dispute over the distribution of advertising revenue at Alltel Stadium -- evoked a clause in the team's lease that allows it to void the document if the team loses money, as it has the last two years.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. of Japan signed a 30-year lease agreement with the Jacksonville Port Authority, offering the first direct container ship service between northeast Florida and Asia. The agreement is expected to create more than 1,800 jobs and represents the largest business project in Jaxport history.
The city council is struggling to draft a new public drinking ordinance after a state judge determined the city's old law was unconstitutional. The council wants to allow public drinking outside of sporting events and some concerts, while allowing police to arrest people drinking in other public places.
Former St. Petersburg economic development official Ron Barton is the new executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
LAKE CITY -- A group of civic leaders is revisiting the issue of whether the city and Columbia County should consolidate their governments. Advocates say growth pressures and infrastructure concerns favor consolidation, which was rejected 20 years ago after a lengthy debate.
The state Department of Environmental Protection could issue a moratorium on building permits for developments requiring sewer hookups unless the city expands its aging wastewater service. Jacksonville-based JEA has offered a series of proposals to improve the system, costing from $3 million to $50 million.
ORANGE PARK -- Six former Albertsons supermarkets in northeast Florida have reopened as Rowe's Supermarkets. Owner Rob Rowe of Orange Park says his stores will sell high-quality, "European-style" brands at affordable prices.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- Citing the area's strong housing market and top-performing schools, Money magazine named Ponte Vedra Beach the 50th best place to live in the U.S. as part of the magazine's annual survey.
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- Officials will spend up to $75,000 to create a "vision plan" for A1A Beach Boulevard, the city's main thoroughfare. Coral Gables-based design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd will have six months to craft a plan that looks 20 years into the future.
ST. AUGUSTINE -- Steve Timmerman was named vice president and site manager for Northrop Grumman's St. Augustine plant, which employs 1,300.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY -- Citing a $100,000 budget shortfall, the non-profit community planning group St. Johns Vision laid off its executive director and staff assistant. The move comes as the group continues to promote its plan for economic growth and development.
YULEE -- An emergency physician at Camden (Ga.) Medical Center plans to open an urgent care clinic at Florida A1A and Old Church Street. Daniel Matricia says his three-building complex will include an 8,500-sq.-ft. urgent care center, physical therapy facility and doctors offices.
