Whatever 2014 threw your way, a new year means new possibilities. It’s a chance to start something new, to be a better you. Maybe that’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular. According to the all-knowing Wiki, about 40% of us make them. Whatever your ideas of self-improvement might be, Downtown Jacksonville will deliver. “In 2015, I will support the arts.” If you hashtagged in 2014, put your resolution where your quick-typing fingers are and spend time perusing ’s contemporary art, then pop over to the at . Take in a show at the historic or at the where you …

Buy Local, Buy Downtown The Downtown Marketing Collaborative, the originator of the “” campaign, has launched its campaign for the holiday season. This social media campaign will highlight sales, promotions, and unique holiday gifts available from downtown retailers and organizations through December 24. Retro and rockabilly clothes for men and women from , books from , tasty dips and rubs from , a bangle that sparkles from , sports apparel and memorabilia from , and unique candles and lamps from represent only a small sample of the gifts available from Downtown’s retailers. Additionally, gift cards to restaurants, tickets for cultural events, …

“Ate” years & counting The word restaurant comes from the French word restaurer, meaning to restore. This makes sense when you consider the first restaurants came about to serve weary travelers and offer nourishment during long journeys. In today’s busy world, we spend much of our social time staring at the screens of computers or smart phones. Dining out offers us face-to-face time with the people in our lives, from catching up with friends to celebrating milestones with loved ones. August is the perfect time to plan some restorative time with friends and family, thanks to Downtown’s annual dining promotion, …

A calm, cool presence winds its way through our concrete jungle, one that other downtowns would kill for. Jacksonville was born on the banks of the St. Johns River – and the start of the city remains the heart of Downtown today. The Northbank supported a bustling maritime industry with the last shipyards operational into the 1980s – just visit the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center at The Jacksonville Landing for a glimpse into its history. Downtown’s Southbank enjoyed a turn-of-the-century entertainment destination boasting a 30-acre , the setting for numerous silent films, from 1907 to 1916. Today, the St. Johns …

If our homes and workplaces are our first two social environments, a third place is anywhere else we go to socialize. Coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, third places are everyday gathering places that are the anchors of community life. They are easily accessible – often walkable, are welcoming and comfortable with a set of “regulars,” and usually include food or drinks as a key part of the experience. These are the places where we go to make our own entertainment. Great Downtowns have great third places. Urban living means trading in backyards for a variety of walkable hangouts. From …

In the immortal words of former Jacksonville Mayor , “As your Downtown goes, so goes your city.” So then, how are things Downtown going today? The number of Downtown residents is the highest it’s been in decades, and residential properties are more than 90% occupied. Downtown office vacancy rates continue to drop each year. Crime in Downtown accounts for only 2% of serious crime in the entire City of Jacksonville. And, Downtown has more parking than , not including . Downtown champions are hard at work. The  has created a Spark Grant program for Downtown revitalization through the arts. , …