JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board approved a new $17.2 million offer for its riverfront headquarters, following last month’s failed negotiations with Fleet Landing.
Chase Properties has emerged as the frontrunner to purchase the district’s headquarters, with plans to develop the riverfront property into a mixed-use development featuring residential and commercial space.
The sale of the headquarters passed with a 4 to 3 vote on Tuesday night.
At the same time, the board was evaluating a $13.65 million purchase of the Dream Finders building on Prominence Parkway off Baymeadows Road as its potential new headquarters. The proposed purchase includes $650,000 for personal property, such as office furniture, with the remaining $13 million allocated for the building itself.
The purchase of Prominence Parkway also passed with a 4 to 3 vote.
Board members Darryl Willie, Cindy Pearson, and Tony Ricardo were the three “no” votes.
The potential headquarters relocation has drawn mixed reactions from board members. While Board Chair Charlotte Joyce expressed support for the move and the proposed location, District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson raised concerns about the long-term financial implications of the Prominence Parkway purchase.
“I am concerned that the property on Promience Parkway, we’re paying too much for it,” she said.
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Jacksonville City Councilman Joe Carlucci, who represents the district where the current headquarters is located, voiced his support for the relocation during public comment, suggesting the move would benefit the community and increase city revenue.
“This is going to be a great success for our community and it’s going to generate tremendous amount of tax revenue,” Carlucci said. “The more exciting part is that this will continue to amplify the progress we’ve already made downtown and it coincides with the plans that we have for the future.”
Adding complexity to the decision, Ashco Centers submitted a last-minute offer Monday, prompting several board members to request time to review the new proposal.
This latest round of negotiations follows the board’s unanimous rejection last month of Fleet Landing’s $20 million offer for the current headquarters property. The board also previously rejected a $13.65 million proposal for the Prominence Parkway property.