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.
Care to list your sources? The last time there was news about PSS moving downtown it was a 100% fabrication.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537385
Nothing in stone. Thats why I stated "if" it manifests. They are considering all options.
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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.â€
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.
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.
the title thread says "looking at"....that appears to be fair
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 30, 2012, 08:50:19 PM
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.
The Advanced Disposal request for incentives already hit a "bump" in the road. ::)
Via the Daily Record
Quote
Committees pass Jacksonville Lime deal, Advanced Disposal hits a bump
Article reprints available.
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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.â€
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.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on August 30, 2012, 11:50:36 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 30, 2012, 08:50:19 PM
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.
Quote from: John P on October 04, 2012, 09:15:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on August 30, 2012, 11:50:36 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 30, 2012, 08:50:19 PM
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.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on October 04, 2012, 09:42:16 AM
Quote from: John P on October 04, 2012, 09:15:22 AM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on August 30, 2012, 11:50:36 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 30, 2012, 08:50:19 PM
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.
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.
The approved incentives don't include moving downtown, just adding jobs where they're at.
Quote from: Tacachale on October 10, 2012, 10:28:57 AM
The approved incentives don't include moving downtown, just adding jobs where they're at.
I am aware of that.
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.
only matters what the decision makers think
Quote from: Doctor_K on October 10, 2012, 11:33:52 AM
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.
Me too, and I've heard the same things. Also, many of the employees I work with live in Saint Johns County. I don't know if that is representative of the entire company, but I imagine that any move that is made would strive for a central location for the most employees possible. Unfortunately that wouldn't be downtown.
They are clueless about downtown, aren't they? And the decision makers will probably make that decision based on what is best for the company's bottom line, not where their associates live and what would be convenient for them. At least, that's how most companies do it. This one could be different for all I know.
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on October 10, 2012, 12:30:42 PM
They are clueless about downtown, aren't they? And the decision makers will probably make that decision based on what is best for the company's bottom line, not where their associates live and what would be convenient for them. At least, that's how most companies do it. This one could be different for all I know.
Actually there are many companies that take into consideration where their employees work and try to locate in a central location. That's part of the reason we have the office park mecca on the southside. It is pretty central to SJC, Beaches, etc.
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on October 10, 2012, 12:30:42 PM
They are clueless about downtown, aren't they? And the decision makers will probably make that decision based on what is best for the company's bottom line, not where their associates live and what would be convenient for them. At least, that's how most companies do it. This one could be different for all I know.
that's what we do.
Then theres this. What is considered a "central location"? If I stay on the northside or westside, but have to drive to the southside for work, the southside would not be a "central location."
well, I am sure most of the Everbank employees didnt want to locate downtown. From what I heard many of them now enjoy working downtown so far.
Quote from: fsujax on October 10, 2012, 01:14:38 PM
well, I am sure most of the Everbank employees didnt want to locate downtown. From what I heard many of them now enjoy working downtown so far.
I actually know someone who works at Everbank, and they all love it. IF youre company moves, and you dont like it, what are people going to do, quit? DONT THINK SO LOL
^^I agree with that. No they aren't going to quit.
Yep, that's why we make decisions based on the bottom line
I think the responsibility is on both parties for the city and the company to join together to develop the type of bond that BofA and Charlotte have or Coca Cola and Atlanta. You cannot fault a company for not fully embracing the city if the city does not embrace them back. In the same way, if the city reaches out to the city in the form of incentives or something of the sort, the company should seriously consider what the city proposes. Since PSS was founded in Jax, is headquartered in Jax, has the bulk of its employees in Jax, etc.... I think they should embrace the city and the city them. There are many ways that this could be accomplished, but building downtown or redeveloping an urban core site would be a good one. PSS is very loyal to its employees and cares very much about their QOL, so if they do find that most of the employees live in SJC, I don't think a move downtown will ever happen. With the density that exists in Southpoint in terms of employee numbers compared to the region, a well designed mid-density headquarters that activates the streets around it could set a precedent for other companies in the area. Unfortunately, the zoning of the southside makes that impossible. So that brings me full circle to my initial point that it takes both the city and the company to make a headquarters that benefits all parties involved.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on October 10, 2012, 12:53:03 PM
Then theres this. What is considered a "central location"? If I stay on the northside or westside, but have to drive to the southside for work, the southside would not be a "central location."
then you are an outlier. We have people from Ortega and St. Augustine in this office. They both are outliers as most people here live at the beach or in SJC.
^Right. At this point so much of Jacksonville's "office population" lives in that area. Of course a lot of them moved there at least in part because of the proximity to work, as it's where most of the employers are. But either way, if the company asks people where they live, that will be the answer.
That's one reason we need to really level the playing field for downtown through incentives and investment. When we do that the assets of the urban environment will compete with the assets of a suburban environment.
If downtown was much cheaper compared to Baymeadows Way, our real estate people would make us move down there. We don't have a big enough presence here for incentives though.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on October 10, 2012, 12:53:03 PM
Then theres this. What is considered a "central location"? If I stay on the northside or westside, but have to drive to the southside for work, the southside would not be a "central location."
Central location=central for current and future employees. For companies with middle income and up jobs, that typically does not mean Westside or Northside.
I've often heard that it is not where the employees live, but where the executives live or want to live. This is pure speculation (based on experience), but I'd be willing to bet that companies with executives that live in San Marco, Ortega, Avondale, Epping Forest, and other upscale areas near downtown are more likely to be located downtown than companies with executives that live in Ponte Vedra, Marsh Landing, Deerwood, Atlantic Beach, and other upscale areas that are closer to the Southside.
As for people not wanting to work downtown...they simply know no better, because they have no experience. I posted this below during parking day about working DT vs. the burbs.
"I think Park(ing) day also shows the benefits of working DT. I am so friggin pissed off that I'm missing out on all the lounging and random fun that appears to be happening (via Facebook pics). I mean really, how often are there random fun things that occur in suburban office parks? You have to drive places to get food. You have to drive places to get a post work drink. There are never festivals. There are never events. Traffic is equally crappy. There is no St. Johns River. And so on.
I've worked at a suburban office park near Tinseltown, and now near St. Augustine, but have also worked in DT Jax and near DT Jax. You simply can't match the workday experience DT. On days like today, even hanging out at Parking Day for an hour would make it feel like it wasn't a workday."
Quote from: CityLife on October 10, 2012, 02:15:37 PM
I've often heard that it is not where the employees live, but where the executives live or want to live. This is pure speculation (based on experience), but I'd be willing to bet that companies with executives that live in San Marco, Ortega, Avondale, Epping Forest, and other upscale areas near downtown are more likely to be located downtown than companies with executives that live in Ponte Vedra, Marsh Landing, Deerwood, Atlantic Beach, and other upscale areas that are closer to the Southside.
I agree with this thought process...and all the PSS execs live at the beach.
Quote from: fsquid on October 10, 2012, 02:04:55 PM
If downtown was much cheaper compared to Baymeadows Way, our real estate people would make us move down there. We don't have a big enough presence here for incentives though.
Locally PSS has over 1,000 employees. The city has offered incentives to companies with far fewer people.
Quote from: CityLife on October 10, 2012, 02:15:37 PM
I've often heard that it is not where the employees live, but where the executives live or want to live.
Bingo!
Executives especially like to create a short commute for themselves. They may also locate for amenities such as golf courses or good schools for their children. A study of 38 companies that left New York City found that 31 moved closer to their chief executive’s home, reducing the average CEO commute to eight miles.
No argument here, a fact little known to most MJ readers is that Baldwin, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune and Atlantic Beaches, as well as places like Orange Park and St. Augustine all have downtown's of their own. Granted that at the moment Ponte Vedra and Fruit Cove (Julington Plantation) are unincorporated... that will likely change as people discover those sales tax dollars are going away from their community FOREVER. Incorporation puts those dollars back in the hands of local citizen rule. If one of these places snags a major corporation more power to them and shame on Jacksonville for not making our central city the most desirable of the lot.
Where is Ponte Vedra's downtown?
^^Sawgrass Village! haha
St Augustine and Jacksonville Beach do have downtowns. Neptune and Atlantic share the Town Center, though Atlantic Beach doesn't have it's government buildings there. Baldwin and Orange park sort of have areas of concentration, but that's a bit of a stretch. Neither Ponte Vedra nor Fruit Cove have downtowns or town centers and neither are likely to ever incorporate. Ponte Vedra especially has shot that down repeatedly.
In and of themselves none, besides perhaps St Augustine, really compete with the business districts in Duval directly, the rest are essentially bedroom communities. Where they have their influence is in leaning toward the suburban business parks over downtown.
Quote from: fsujax on October 10, 2012, 07:50:48 PM
^^Sawgrass Village! haha
Bingo!
I'd consider both Ponte Vedra and Fruit Cove as having embryonic 'downtowns'. Today they both have one or two arterials that are pretty well lined with businesses. As the area densifies those strip shopping centers will find the dirt under them worth more then the Wal-Mart on top, when that happens, things will start to change. Consider that tomorrow, a few high rise condos, an multi floor 'Baymeadows' style office complex and you've got young urban.
Don't count out incorporation too quickly either, I live down in St. Johns, and all are not Neanderthals. I saw this same pattern of 'NO' votes time and again in both Santa Clarita, CA and in Deltona and Debary FL, all of which are now officially 'cities'.
Agree with me or not, I don't hold anything against a company for heading to any of these places. Fact is as the new I-795 is completed, and the Nocatee Parkway, or CR210 goes FREEway or toll road, expect that change is in the wind. ME? I'm sitting pretty waiting in the wings... 'cha-ching!'
I was wondering about Ponte Vedra because I worked there for my first five years here. From my view it has no downtown. Sawgrass Village just happens to be one of its more uniquely designed shopping centers. You don't have to worry about that site densifying. Residents over there came out with their pinch forks when a redevelopment proposal for that site popped up a few years back.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 10, 2012, 07:49:04 PM
Where is Ponte Vedra's downtown?
There's plenty of space available at the Veranda project
I'd say everything from about Palm Valley Road, to Butler along A-1-A is the future 'downtown'. Looking at it from that point of view, it really isn't too far removed from St. Augustine, Ormond or Daytona Beach, and it's probably long since passed the Flagler Beach status.
I was born and raised in the Beaches and live there now. I AM the Beaches. Ponte Vedra has nothing like a downtown, and it won't densify or incorporate in the foreseeable future.
A long stretch along A1A does not a downtown make. There's no core area or any area that has concentration or mix of uses. What offices there are, the government facilities (all county & state, not local) and most commerce are separated in suburban strip malls and business parks on that road, and are totally separated from any potential residential areas. Sawgrass Village is just a rather large privately-owned suburban strip mall. It serves a lot of Ponte Vedra residents, sure, but as many or more are served by the Target shopping center at JTB - and that's in Jax Beach.
As for densification or incorporation, the residents would have to want it, and whenever it's come up in the past, the scene has looked like this:
(http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/simpsons-mob-torches.jpg)
Ock, I've always seen it as a strip commercial corridor with similar design characteristics with the Hodges, Beach, and Argyle Forest Boulevards of Jacksonville. The distance between Palm Valley Road and JTB is nearly five miles in length. That's basically the same distance as a drive from the I-95/10 interchange to Lane Avenue. It's very far removed from the idea of a traditional downtown being a pedestrian scaled cluster of activity and mix of uses. Given the land use policies out there and concurrency issues with A1A, it won't even become an Edge City.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 11, 2012, 09:02:44 AM
Ock, I've always seen it as a strip commercial corridor with similar design characteristics with the Hodges, Beach, and Argyle Forest Boulevards of Jacksonville. The distance between Palm Valley Road and JTB is nearly five miles in length. That's basically the same distance as a drive from the I-95/10 interchange to Lane Avenue. It's very far removed to the idea of a traditional downtown being a pedestrian scaled cluster of activity and mix of uses. Given the land use policies out there and concurrency issues with A1A, it won't even become an Edge City.
Yes, because that's what it is, and it was a fight even to get it to that point. It's not even any different than what A1A looks like in Jacksonville and Neptune Beaches, and A1A is *not* the "downtown" of Jax & Neptune Beach.
Additionally, even if that area somehow became a downtown, neither it nor similar areas in Orange Park, Julington Creek, etc. would be competing directly with Downtown Jax for things like the PSS or Advanced Disposal offices (or EverBank, BOA, etc). There are suburban business & industrial areas in St. Johns & Clay that do compete, with both Downtown Jax and the various suburban business parks in Jacksonville. But they have nothing to do with the nearby developments having "downtowns".