PSS world medical and Advanced Disposal looking at downtown

[duvaldude08]

PSS world medical has stated they are "close" to making a decision, and downtown is one of the options. Advanced Disposal also indicated that downtown is an option. If this were to manifest, would you prefer (a) them build out an existing space,  or (b) build a new building from the ground up?

I would love for some of these empty lots that are currently homeless camps have a new building on them, and add to our skyline. However, we also have an abundance of space in existing structures as well.

[Captain Zissou]

Care to list your sources?  The last time there was news about PSS moving downtown it was a 100% fabrication.

[finehoe]

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537385

[duvaldude08]

Nothing in stone. Thats why I stated "if" it manifests. They are considering all options.

PSS ‘reasonably close’ to HQ site decision
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PSS President and CEO Gary Corless talked with shareholders Thursday at the Jacksonville-based company’s annual meeting.
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis. Purchase this photo
08/17/2012
by Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

PSS World Medical Inc. executives said Thursday they were “reasonably close” to a decision deadline about if and where to develop a new headquarters operation for the Jacksonville-based company.

President and CEO Gary Corless and Chief Financial Officer David Bronson said executives were expecting site-team evaluations about the options, which included looking outside Jacksonville.

“The team will come back and suggest the best alternatives,” Corless said, declining to elaborate about specific sites.

He and Bronson said the company was talking with City and state officials about the site decision, which indicates that economic incentives might be part of the evaluation.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Alvin Brown acknowledged the PSS conversation.

“Our discussions with PSS World Medical have been preliminary,” said Deputy Director of Communications Aleizha Batson.

“We encourage any business considering relocation to look Downtown to help us revitalize this important part of the community. This helps to ensure that Mayor Brown’s vision of a productive and vibrant Downtown is realized,” she said in a statement.

The Daily Record reported in June that the company was evaluating its site options because its leases are coming due, with one expiring in about two years.

We reported on those options, which include development of an estimated 200,000-square-foot project to accommodate its operations.

Bronson said Thursday that is the amount of space the business uses.

In June, Corless said the company, which distributes medical supplies, occupied about 175,000 square feet of space among two Southpoint buildings.

The buildings accommodate 200,000 square feet for PSS, but he said the company doesn’t use all of it.

We reported that because of the lease expirations, PSS is evaluating its options to renew the leases, move to another location or develop a building.

Bronson said Thursday that if the company decided to build a structure, the time to start was drawing near.

Based on industry estimates of $150 a square foot, a development of 200,000 square feet could represent a $30 million investment.

Corless said in June he expected the decision to be made within a few months. On Thursday, he said the company was “still in the process.”

The company leases space in the PSS Building at 4345 Southpoint Blvd. and the Enterprise Park Building at 4190 Belfort Road.

The company’s annual meeting for shareholders took place Thursday in the Enterprise Park Building.

In June, Corless said the company was happy with its headquarters space.

“We said we may consider other options. That is part of the evaluation,” he said at the time.

He said Bronson led the evaluation team and that PSS is working with CNL Commercial Real Estate in Jacksonville to evaluate the options.

Corless also said he was aware of how distracting a move might be. The company has about 900 employees in Jacksonville and 3,900 across the country.

The evaluation includes looking at the expense of moving versus adapting the current space.

If the decision is made to move, the company would decide to occupy an existing building or work with a developer on a build-to-suit structure to meet the company’s specific needs.

Corless did not say in June nor did he say Thursday whether the company would prefer a Southside location near its existing headquarters or whether it might consider other sites, such as Downtown.

“We would take into consideration the commute times for all of our people,” he said.

Asked Thursday about Downtown, Bronson said like other locations, it would be evaluated.

Corless talked at the annual meeting about the company’s distribution realignment into four markets: physician, laboratory, in-office dispensing and home care and hospice. It previously announced it would divest its skilled nursing and specialty dental businesses.

Bronson said the company is taking that realignment into account when considering its space needs.

He said selling a piece of the business frees up some of the space, but at the same time, the remaining business is growing.

[Captain Zissou]

This isn't even written in pencil yet.  The only thing for certain is that they are not 100% not moving to downtown.  The article states that they are even considering other cities.  I doubt that will be the case, but we will see.  A number of employees live in St Johns County, so they may be considering building in Flagler Center at St Augustine and 95.  Who knows......  They still have 2 years on their lease and in the past they made it very clear that they had not committed to downtown.

[tufsu1]

the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair

[Captain Zissou]

the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair

Tufsu, I am looking at becoming an NBA point guard.  That doesn't mean it will ever come true or is even remotely based in reality.... Bud, I know more about this than you, so quit your whole Winn Dixie and Hooters count as downtown dining destinations bit.

[duvaldude08]

The Advanced Disposal request for incentives already hit a "bump" in the road. 

Via the Daily Record

Committees pass Jacksonville Lime deal, Advanced Disposal hits a bump
Article reprints available.
Find out more.   
10/03/2012

by David Chapman, Staff Writer

Economic incentive deals for two companies, Jacksonville Lime LLC and Advanced Disposal Services Inc., were voted on by three City Council committees this week, but one committee has yet to approve one of the deals.
Advanced Disposal is seeking $695,000 in total incentives to support the expansion of the company’s Jacksonville headquarters and creation of 85 jobs.

Of the request, $595,000 would come from the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund program and include a High Impact Sector bonus, with the City contributing $119,000 and the state providing the remaining $476,000.

The remaining $100,000 would be provided through a Recapture Enhanced Value grant, also known as a REV grant, and is an incentive based on increased taxes generated by property improvements and is paid after a company pays its taxes.

The deal was approved by the Council Rules and Recreation and Community Development committees, but was deferred in Finance following questions from Council member John Crescimbeni, committee chairman, and discussion about potential hosting fees owed to the City because of non-recycled waste tonnage.

Jeff Foster of the City’s Public Works department told the committee Tuesday he drafted a letter to the company asking for a complete account of its recycling. Public Works Director Jim Robinson followed Foster and said the City needs to engage with the provider and have more discussion and learn the facts before offering any recommendation.

Mary O’Brien, Advanced Disposal chief marketing officer, told the committee the company learned of the concern Monday. She said she was surprised about the issue and called the company “good public partners.”

Crescimbeni deferred the item and will hold a special Finance meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, before the 5 p.m. full Council meeting, to further discuss the issue.

Rules passed the deal Monday and Recreation and Community Development passed it Tuesday afternoon.

Paul Crawford, City Office of Economic Development interim director, appeared before the Recreation and Community Development committee and said the legislation and issue were two different concerns, one dealing with management and the other operations.

Crawford told the committee he doubted the regulatory compliance issue would be settled by Tuesday.

He said Advanced Disposal is offering to create the type of jobs the City is seeking and that the City is in a “very tight competition” with Atlanta, Milwaukee and Charlotte, N.C., for the headquarters. The company has its headquarters in the Baymeadows area and employs 35 people there, part of its 370 member workforce.

[John P]

the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair

Tufsu, I am looking at becoming an NBA point guard.  That doesn't mean it will ever come true or is even remotely based in reality.... Bud, I know more about this than you, so quit your whole Winn Dixie and Hooters count as downtown dining destinations bit.

You are not looking at becoming a nba point guard.

[Captain Zissou]

the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair

Tufsu, I am looking at becoming an NBA point guard.  That doesn't mean it will ever come true or is even remotely based in reality.... Bud, I know more about this than you, so quit your whole Winn Dixie and Hooters count as downtown dining destinations bit.

You are not looking at becoming a nba point guard.

Yes I am.  It seems like a pretty lucrative profession and I'm interested in hearing more about it.  I've done some research and I haven't ruled it out as my next career move.  I am currently also looking into about a dozen other potential careers.  I am trying to narrow the number of possibilites down to about 4-5 and then I will do more comprehensive research on the matter.

^I would say that is exactly how PSS feels about moving downtown.

[PeeJayEss]

the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair

Tufsu, I am looking at becoming an NBA point guard.  That doesn't mean it will ever come true or is even remotely based in reality.... Bud, I know more about this than you, so quit your whole Winn Dixie and Hooters count as downtown dining destinations bit.

You are not looking at becoming a nba point guard.

Yes I am.  It seems like a pretty lucrative profession and I'm interested in hearing more about it.  I've done some research and I haven't ruled it out as my next career move.  I am currently also looking into about a dozen other potential careers.  I am trying to narrow the number of possibilites down to about 4-5 and then I will do more comprehensive research on the matter.

^I would say that is exactly how PSS feels about moving downtown.

If PSS had a desire to, it could easily move downtown.
If you were to decide that NBA point guard was the thing you wanted to do with your life, you could not actually acquire that job.
So its different.

[duvaldude08]

The council approved the incentives, in spite of the them owing us money. Right now creating jobs and getting another company downtown is more important. They can work out that other mess in the background.

[Tacachale]

The approved incentives don't include moving downtown, just adding jobs where they're at.

[duvaldude08]

The approved incentives don't include moving downtown, just adding jobs where they're at.

I am aware of that.

[Doctor_K]

Disclaimer: I work at the PSS Corporate campus.

Sadly, very few people (in fact, exactly NONE that I've talked to) here have any desire to make the move to the Core.  Basically, because they're all of the stereotypical suburban mindset that downtown is dirty and unsafe, etc.

Sad, because I'd love it if we did make that move.