At this time four years ago, the Alvin Brown era was just beginning for Jacksonville.
Swept into office by a narrow margin, the underdog Brown made history becoming the city’s first black mayor. Optimism was high as the nation and Jacksonville alike were still in the throes of an economic recession.
Brown ran on a platform of job creation and closing opportunity gaps. Since he was elected, unemployment rates have declined and the city helped create more than 3,900 jobs with companies that received incentives.
The foundation of public safety pension reform was approved, which proponents say will save future city budgets. The funding source still needs to be determined.
He didn’t raise taxes, although critics cry “semantics” on the issue. Downtown was made a priority.
Despite all that, Brown’s eight-year plan was trimmed to four, as Lenny Curry assumed office Wednesday after a contentious election this spring.
For all the history he made being elected, Brown’s term is just that — history.
“I wish I had gotten re-elected,” Brown said during an interview in his final weeks. “I wanted to win for Jacksonville.”
Marcella Washington, a Florida State College at Jacksonville political science professor, surmises there are many reasons for that fate. The word that comes to mind, she said, is “passive.” As in, Brown governed almost as an outside observer.
“Did Alvin Brown marry himself to the mayor of Jacksonville or was it just a friendly relationship?” Washington asked. “He liked it. But I never saw him completely engaged in the city.”
When transition happens, people want historical perspective on a term. How will Brown be remembered? For what will he be known?
Washington said Brown has a good personality and that people really did like him. But in terms of accomplishments, she thinks the idea of “taking Jacksonville to the next level” fell somewhat short — nothing really seemed to stick.
“He never laid out that focus,” she said. “He had intentions of doing more, but there weren’t enough signals.”
For people like Jacksonville University President Tim Cost, Brown was a “great partner.” The Arlington campus always has been near and dear to Brown, his alma mater and the area of town where Brown lives.
Cost said Brown was a catalyst for Renew Arlington, the vision that will pump new life into the area through becoming a Community Redevelopment Area.
City staff members have taken part in lengthy monthly meetings for about a year now, Cost said. The goal is more business, more housing and overall development to the area that has seen better times.
“He cared,” Cost said. “I respect him. He worked hard for the city.”
As for a self-analysis of his legacy, Brown mostly deferred but did talk about wanting to be known for his honesty.
“I kept all my promises,” he said.
Tackling pension his first term, making Downtown a priority, focusing on job creation. Prevention and intervention programs like summer jobs and urban parks initiatives also became priorities.
Past that, he said he hadn’t had time to reflect. That would come later, after a long-overdue family vacation or two. A chance to really get away, he said, for the first time in six years — four years as mayor and another two as a candidate.
Brown said he was proud of the work he’s done.
Washington said he should be proud for the history and results he accomplished. If more of Jacksonville’s residents — and especially his base — felt stronger, then Wednesday would have marked the beginning of the second four years.
Instead, Brown will pursue another option after falling short. The private sector, nonprofit arena or educational field all are areas he’s been involved with in the past and could see himself in again. He said he honestly doesn’t know what his future holds at this point.
But as he often does, he relies on faith to help.
“There’s a season for everything,” he said. “God closes one door and opens another window.”
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