JACKSONVILLE — The Culinary Institute of America has not made a public announcement regarding its decision on establishing a Southeast campus in Jacksonville. Downtown Investment Authority CEO Colin Tarbert indicated that the institute appears to be coordinating a joint rollout of its decision with local partners.

"They met. I think they want to wait and do it in partnership with the folks here," Tarbert said. "I believe they are working with the local parties here to do more of a formal announcement."

Jacksonville City Councilmember Joe Carlucci expressed frustration that a public decision was not made during the institute's June board meeting. "OK, I thought that was supposed to happen at their board meeting in June," Carlucci said. "That's really unfortunate because we passed an ordinance for that meeting." He added, "If they are listening, it feels like we did that for nothing."

The Jacksonville City Council approved an emergency ordinance for up to $35 million in public incentives for a proposed downtown riverfront project with a 16-2 vote. These incentives are tied to a proposed project that aims to bring the Culinary Institute of America to Jacksonville. Corner Lot Development Group and Aspect Holdings plan to include the institute as an anchor tenant in a $160.5 million hotel and convention hall project at 330 E. Bay St. Aundra Wallace, president of JAXUSA, stated that the legislation does not authorize the expenditure of funds at this time. "You're not — this legislation [is not] authorizing any funds to be expended at this respective point in time," Wallace said. She noted that the Downtown Investment Authority's disposition process, term sheet negotiation, and a redevelopment agreement must be completed before a final vote occurs.