JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the Duval County School Board prepares for a pivotal vote on the future of its Southbank headquarters, some Jacksonville residents are raising concerns about what could take its place.
The top bidder for the prime riverfront site is Fleet Landing, a nonprofit organization that operates retirement communities. The group has offered $20 million to purchase the current Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) headquarters building, which overlooks the St. Johns River.
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The district is considering relocating to a $14 million office building in Baymeadows, and while discussions around moving the headquarters have been ongoing for years, the process gained momentum in the past year under Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier.
Fleet Landing’s offer emerged from a pool of 10 proposals submitted through an open bidding process.
News4JAX reached out to the nonprofit about why they think a retirement community is a good fit for the property, but they referred us to DCPS.
News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee filed a public records request asking for all 10 bidders who submitted proposals. At this time, the request has not been filled, so it’s unclear what other options were on the table to take over the prime real estate.
But many Jacksonville residents say they only recently learned that a retirement community is the likely replacement for one of the city’s most high-profile waterfront properties.
And that news didn’t sit well with them.
“Nooo,” said resident Kisha Shabazz, laughing in disbelief. “Can I say that? I love the retirees, but there is so much more you can do with that space. Given the stadium and the renovations and all of the things they are doing downtown, why not use it for upscale dining and really leverage the river and what it’s there for?”
Shabazz isn’t alone. Residents shared similar reactions — not out of opposition to seniors, but out of a desire to see the space turned into something more lively and accessible to the broader public.
“The river is a resource, and right now it is underutilized,” said longtime Jacksonville resident Sherman Wilner. “It should be our showcase. Right now, it’s underused.”
Others imagined restaurants, public spaces, or even a local marketplace that would serve families and visitors. They said with stadium renovations and other downtown projects already in motion, this property should add to the city’s energy.
“It’s a beautiful spot,” said Suzanne Pohlman, who’s lived in Jacksonville for decades. “It would be nice to keep Jacksonville feeling like a hometown, not just chain restaurants. Let’s make it a place where families want to gather.”
The public isn’t the only group voicing hesitation. District 3 school board member Cindy Pearson, who voted to allow negotiations to move forward, said she still has unanswered questions.
“If the purchaser isn’t paying full property tax, what does that mean for downtown development — and what’s the benefit to the community?” Pearson asked at a recent board meeting.
Pearson’s concern stems from Fleet Landing’s nonprofit status, which could reduce the site’s future property tax contribution — a sticking point for those who see downtown development as vital to Jacksonville’s economic health.
The school board is scheduled to vote Tuesday night on whether to approve the headquarters sale and move forward with the relocation plan.