Thursday on First Coast Connect we spoke with University of North Florida professor Matt Corrigan and UNF students Ryan McDonagh and Todd Higginbotham about a new UNF study on how to get more millennials to move to downtown Jacksonville (01:14).
Our latest edition of Art Attack featured Lee Hamby of Five and Dime Theatre, Shawana Brooks with the Jacksonville Public Library, Jamario Stills from Phase 8 Theater Company, Alicia Somers, VP at Regions Bank and Katie McCaughan of Jacksonville Dance Theatre (31:42).
Kerry Speckman told us about some of the events coming to the Jacksonville area in February (46:00).
Downtown Millennials
There are nearly 100,000 millennials living in Jacksonville and according to a new survey from the University of North Florida, the majority of them have a favorable impression of downtown.
Other cities around the country have helped revitalize their downtowns in part, by an influx of millennials working and living in their urban cores.
The ongoing UNF study is looking at what millennials are looking for that would attract them to live and work downtown and compares the factors with other cities.
Art Attack
Our panel discussed what would be a fair salary for performing artists in Jacksonville. It can be difficult for artists to make a living in Jacksonville despite having a thriving arts community.
Kerry Speckman
Along with a quick look at The Lion King, now appearing at the Times Union-Center, we spoke with actor Gerald Ramsey who plays Mufasa in the show. Kerry talked about some upcoming events including Adam Ant Friday at the Florida Theatre, Mary Wilson and the Supremes Saturday at the Ritz Theatre, the Banksy Exhibit opening at the Main Library on February 14 and the Monster Truck Jam at Everbank Field Feb. 24.
Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
