About Downtown Investment Authority

Jacksonville’s heart is in its Downtown urban core

The DIA is the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Economic Development arm of the City for Downtown Jacksonville. Guided by a nine-member board of directors, the DIA works to make Downtown a thriving and vibrant economic center for all. 

DIA Mission
To drive growth in business and investment, create a vibrant urban living environment and enhance quality of life in Downtown Jacksonville through the transparent and responsible leveraging of public investments, assets, infrastructure, and policy. 

DIA Vision
To drive growth in business and investment, create a vibrant urban living environment and enhance quality of life in Downtown Jacksonville through the transparent and responsible leveraging of public investments, assets, infrastructure, and policy. 

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DIA Board of Directors

The DIA’s investments and policies are steered by the Board of Directors who conduct open-to-the-public business on an unpaid, volunteer basis. DIA’s Board of Directors is comprised of leaders in their respective fields, including real estate and finance professionals along with Downtown business owners. DIA staff has decades of combined experience in real estate development, redevelopment and urban planning as well as local and state government. This experience is a value-added proposition for the Downtown market and community as DIA’s leadership and staff are uniquely qualified to guide a project from inception through realization.

DIA’s Guiding Redevelopment Goals

  1. Increase commercial office utilization, occupancy, and job growth to reinforce Downtown Jacksonville as the region’s epicenter for business.
  2. Increase rental and owner-occupied housing Downtown targeting diverse populations identified as seeking a more urban lifestyle.
  3. Increase and diversify the number and type of retail, food and beverage, and entertainment establishments within Downtown.
  4. Increase the vibrancy of Downtown for residents and visitors through arts, culture, history, sports, theater, events, parks, and attractions.
  5. Improve the safety, accessibility, and wellness of Downtown Jacksonville and cleanliness and maintenance of public spaces for residents, workers, and visitors.
  6. Improve the walkability/bike-ability of Downtown and pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods and the St. Johns River.
  7. Capitalize on the aesthetic beauty of the St. John’s River, value its health and respect its natural force, and maximize interactive and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to create waterfront experiences unique to Downtown Jacksonville.
  8. Simplify and increase the efficiency of the approval process for Downtown development and improve departmental and agency coordination.

DIA Board

Carol Worsham
Board Chair
Cworsham@bellsouth.net

James P. (Jim) Citrano, Jr.
Board Vice Chair
Jpcitrano2dia@gmail.com

Oliver Barakat
Oliver.barakat@cbre.com

Craig Gibbs, Esq.
Cgibbs@cgibbslaw.com

W. Braxton Gillam, Esq.
Bgillam@milamhoward.com

George Saoud, Esq.
george.saoud@fnf.com

DIA Staff

Lori Boyer
Chief Executive Officer
BoyerL@coj.net

Steve Kelley, DBA
Director of Downtown Real Estate and Development
SKelley@coj.net

Guy Parola
Operations Manager
GParola@coj.net

John Crescimbeni
Contract and Regulatory Compliance Manager
JCrescimbeni@coj.net

Wanda James Crowley, MBA
Financial Analyst
Wandaj@coj.net

Susan Kelly
Redevelopment Coordinator
KSusan@coj.net

Antonio Posey
Project Manager
aposey@coj.net

Ina Mezini
Strategic Initiatives Coordinator 
RMezini@coj.net

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