Here’s a monthly update for our 1st DownTown Jacksonville supporters:
CALLING ALL ARTISTS
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Jacksonville Jaguars are partnering to infuse public art into the exterior spaces of the Miller Electric Center. The public art plans for the space include two freestanding sculptural works on the main plaza, four exterior murals and two sculptural bike racks.
The addition of public art to the Miller Electric Center will be fully funded by the Jaguars. The Calls to Artists are available at culturalcouncil.org/call-to-artists.
“At the heart of the Miller Electric Center is the Jaguars’ firm commitment to the revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville,” said Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. “I love art, in all of its forms. I truly believe public art will be essential to ensuring our neighborhood has a unique cultural identity that reflects the pride of our fans, the pursuit of excellence by our football team and the soul of our city. I look forward to seeing how artists from Northeast Florida and beyond are inspired by this challenge.”
A SNEAK PEEK
Miller Electric Center’s architectural team, ROSETTI, was recently in town from Detroit. Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson and General Manager Trent Baalke were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour. Progress highlights included seeing the future coaches’ offices, player entry lobby and team facilities. Pictured is the team beneath the vaulted indoor practice facility ceiling.
So far this month, the 200-person on-site crew has been framing walls, installing elevated floor slabs, working on the roof and completing steelwork. The fan amenities grandstand structure and 96,000-square-foot indoor practice facility are also underway.
ALL IN
LIFT JAX, in collaboration with Construction Ready, two Jacksonville Jaguars’ partners, has been awarded $200,000 in funding by United Way of Northeast’s Economic Mobility Grant. The two-year, $100,000-per-year commitment is geared at bolstering local Construction Ready recruitment and workforce development, with an emphasis on our Out East community residents.
Construction Ready is a free-to-students, rigorous four-week construction training program. Upon graduation, students will have earned up to eight industry-recognized certifications and placement at a local construction company to begin their construction career.
Our fourth Construction Ready class will begin on October 10, and graduation is November 4. Classes take place at Career Source Downtown on N. Market Street. Since it started in March, almost 50 students have completed the program.
Are you an employer in our community interested in sponsoring a Construction Ready student or class of students? Email us at [email protected] for more details.
