Over the years, the momentum to (re)develop Jacksonville has had many starts and stops. Right now Jacksonville is on the doorstep of a major change and Build Up Downtown was created to help facilitate that change.
For over a decade, stakeholders, both public and private, have created an unstoppable momentum that will revitalize our Downtown and ensure our sustainability moving forward. Jacksonville’s Downtown will soon be a unique epicenter for business, history, culture, education and entertainment.
A dynamic, 24-hour, pedestrian-friendly Downtown Jacksonville that serves as a premier center for the arts, dining, retail, entertainment, business and urban living in North Florida.
Build Up Downtown will facilitate and advocate for preservation, smart development and great public spaces in Downtown Jacksonville through communicating, connecting and informing current and future businesses and stakeholders.
We serve as a privately funded, nonprofit resource and supporter of the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) and Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) to reinforce Downtown as the City’s unique epicenter for business, history, culture, education and entertainment.
Alex Sifakis | President | JWB Real Estate Capital
Andy Allen | CEO | Corner Lot Development
Chris Allen | Design Principal | The Haskell Company
Ennis Davis | Principal | Community Planning Collaborative; The Jaxson
Ashley Folladori | VP Public Affairs | JAX Chamber
Jake Gordon | CEO | Downtown Vision, Inc.
Kerri Stewart | VP of Business Analytics and Strategy Initiatives | Miller Electric
Madelen Salter | OE&S
Matt Brockelman | VP of Government Affairs | VyStar Credit Union
Abel Harding | Market President | IBERIABANK First Horizon
Alan Bliss | CEO | Jacksonville Historical Society
Alan Cottrill | President | Opus Group
Allan Iosue | Director of Strategic Accounts | The Haskell Company
Brian Bush | Vice President | Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
Carmen Godwin | Program Manager | Florida Association of Museums Foundation, Inc.
Chris Flagg | Vice President, AE Operations Principal | The Haskell Company
Daniel Davis | CEO | JAX Chamber
Debbie Buckland
Elias Hionides | Vice President | Petra
Heather Schatz | Senior Producer | WJCT Public Media
Jamie Sandifer | Vice President, Business Development and Strategy | Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
Jason Gabriel | Attorney – Land Use and Zoning | Burr & Forman
Jason Roth | Regional Manager, External Affairs & Economic Development | TECO
Jessica Santiago | CEO | Wall Street Fine Art; Art Republic
Jessica Shepler | Assistant Vice President | Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Kay Ehas | Executive Director | Groundwork Jacksonville
Mari Kuraishi | President | Jessie Ball duPont Fund
Nicole Hamm | Executive Director | Blue Zones Project Jacksonville
Olivia Frick | Business Development Strategist | LS3P Associates
Ryan Sitnik | Business Development Manager | Gilbane
Sean Jagroop | President | Sessa Properties
Shawana Brooks | Curator | The Corner Gallery
Steve Crosby
Heather Schatz | Senior Producer, Talk Shows | WJCT Broadcasting
Toni Smailagic | Owner | Cre8Jax
Trip Stanly | Managing Member | Blackwater Capital LLC
William Tutwiler | Director, Development Projects | Jaguars | Bold Events | Iguana Investments
Yanira ‘Yaya’ Cardona | Owner | YaYa Productions