JEA weighs options to repair - or tear down aging downtown tower

[acme54321]

The property is under contract. However, per JEA.com, "The contract generally allows for a 365 day due diligence period. While under contract, JEA will not consider other offers for purchase or contemplate additional public offerings on the site."

Oh I know, but as with everything else in this town, I'll believe it when I see it.

[marksjax]

I just hope it's not a case of CEO ego wanting new digs.
Public sector facilities should not need to cost as much as we seem to pay for here.
It is the public's money they are spending...

[urbanlibertarian]

I just hope it's not a case of CEO ego wanting new digs.
Public sector facilities should not need to cost as much as we seem to pay for here.
It is the public's money they are spending...

I agree.

[mtraininjax]

I just hope it's not a case of CEO ego wanting new digs.

LOL, you obviously have never been in the JEA HQ. Its a dump and the elevators are old and rickety. It employs the same air management system that the Southern Bell Building (now Everbank) used to employ, before their upgrades.

Public sector facilities should not need to cost as much as we seem to pay for here.

Its a lot less expensive here than it is in South Florida.

It is the public's money they are spending...

And there will be less of it if we get Alvin's plan on paying for pensions by raiding the coffers of JEA to pay for it.

[urbanlibertarian]

"LOL, you obviously have never been in the JEA HQ. Its a dump and the elevators are old and rickety. It employs the same air management system that the Southern Bell Building (now Everbank) used to employ, before their upgrades."

So you agree that JEA has failed to maintain and upgrade their building.  Why have they failed to do so?

[mtraininjax]

So you agree that JEA has failed to maintain and upgrade their building.  Why have they failed to do so?

No building lasts forever. You can put silly putty and band-aids on the problems only so long. Many buildings get renovated, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, CSX, Everbank, but some aren't worth it, old JEA building, old courthouse, old City Hall.

In the thread, it is stated the cost for renovation versus the cost for new. As the City grows around Hemming Plaza, it would be wise to give the City the land and buildings for additional growth. They have done a nice job of renovating City Hall, The old YMCA (Jake Godbold bldg). Besides, if a hurricane did knock out the ops center downtown, they have a state of the art facility located near I10/I295 that has the entire local grid available for operations. Far away from storm surge issues.

[heights unknown]

Regency has some empty space for lease....

Elwood.......ARE YOU SERIOUS? Keep JEA Downtown. We need all the action we can get, and keep downtown.

[heights unknown]

That conference room on the top floor is awesome with great views. It would probably be a bar/club/restaurant in bigger cities, and could potentially be one down the road if JEA sells the building. I'm not a huge fan of mid-century modern, but think the biggest issue with this building and old city hall are the colors. I think a little exterior touch up would make a huge difference. As others have pointed out, architectural styles go in and out. Who is to say this won't be a cherished style in 50 years?

Real shame is that there isn't a strong demand for downtown housing or hotels, or JEA could probably make out pretty well by putting it on the market.

This skyscraper was initially, and someone correct me if I am wrong, the IVY Building. Ivy's Department Store was there and businesses rented office space in the tower. I used to shop at Ivy's back in the 70's. In addition, in the late 70's, there was a nightclub up in the circular area at the very top; can't remember the name of it. But it was so cool to get on those elevators at night and go up to that nightclub. It had shag carpeting and of course 70's style with mirrors all around (I was a a disco club hopper back in the day). I hope they keep it, sell it, and build a new 40 story tower in LaVilla. (Pipe dreams)

[Charles Hunter]

The Ivey's department store was in the shorter building on the block.  The taller one was the Universal Marion Building - with various offices in it.  On top was the Embers Restaurant, which rotated.  Eventually, the Charter Company bought the building for their headquarters.

[Overstreet]

It seems like JEA bought it and the company I was working for renovated the building in the early 90s.