J Magazine Spring 2018

J PARTNER PROFILE
By Barbara Gavan
Eric Mann, CEO of the
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast
YMCA of Florida’s
First Coast
CEO sees Downtown on the cusp of great things
hile living in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Charlotte,
Eric Mann, president and CEO of the
W
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, saw the major
improvements those cities made to their Downtown
cores. As a seven-year resident of Jacksonville,
he now sees the same spirit and
dedication here.
“Jacksonville is on the cusp,” he said.
“Mayor Curry has brought enthusiasm
and excitement to Downtown revitalization,
so the oars are rowing in the right
direction. And we’re seeing proof that
it’s on the right track. With our Winston Y, the DuPont
Center, Brooklyn redevelopment, FSCJ’s housing, the
Barnett Building and Laura Trio, people are beginning
to believe in Downtown as the place to be.”
Mann says that we now need more residences,
more jobs and amenities to attract people Downtown.
“But, we shouldn’t focus just on new things, but also
on things that have been with us all along, like working
with the homeless,” he said. “LaVilla improvement, the
Clara White Mission, Sulzbacher Center — they’re all
part of a strong Downtown and they illustrate that more
support is needed. You can’t leave out
one whole segment of the population; you
have to work to ensure that all segments
are part of a vibrant Downtown.”
This year, the YMCA celebrates 110
years in Jacksonville. Mann points out that
the first Y was on Laura Street and has
never left Downtown.
“The new Winston Y has become a destination; 30
percent of its 14,000 members live outside the Downtown
community,” he said. “It brings them Downtown,
where they see the new restaurants, entertainment
venues, new FSCJ residences. They see how strong
Downtown is becoming, and it encourages the entire
community to be a part of it.”
QUICK
TAKES
WORKING
TOGETHER
“I’ve been in
Jacksonville nearly
seven years
and have seen
Downtown change
for the better. It
is getting more
positive attention
from civic leaders,
the business
community and
the municipality.
There is definitely
more and better
coordination of
effort.”
YMCA IS A
MICROCOSM
“The new Winston
Y is our most
diverse branch in
socio-economic
status, ethnicity
and age. At 10
a.m., you can see
people from all
walks of life. This is
what Jacksonville
should be. The Y is
a welcoming place
for all.”
FIRE IS LIT
“I’ve lived in
three cities that
have seen their
Downtowns
revitalized. So, I
know that we’ve
got the fire going.
The fire just needs
a little more
kindling to burn
brighter right
now.”
BOB SELF
30
J MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018