DCPS plan move from Southbank to Baymeadows, raising accessibility concerns

[thelakelander]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools leaders are considering a major move for the district's headquarters as they work to address a billion-dollar budget shortfall. At their September board meeting, members are expected to vote on selling the current Southbank central office and relocating to the Prominence Office Park in Baymeadows.

The proposed move would take DCPS headquarters roughly 20 minutes from its current Southbank location to an office space owned by Jacksonville developer and Dream Finders Homes CEO Patrick Zalupski.

While the relocation is part of the district's plan to reduce costs, some community members are raising concerns about accessibility for families.

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/duval-schools-plan-move-southbank-baymeadows-raising-accessibility-concerns/QSPVLG4E6NFLXKBYZ5WGY22YAA/

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Now, even government is leaving the Downtown area?  DCPS is a big part what is left standing.

Let's see, the FBI moved to the burbs.  JSO to Brooklyn.  Citizens to the burbs.  The State is still "Downtown" but not really with its fortress-like suburban-style edge campus not walkable to anything. 

That leaves City offices, JEA, the IRS and Federal/State courts/attorney offices as the last major Downtown government tenants.  Did I leave anyone out?  Maybe UF, but when in significant numbers?

[Jagsdrew]

JFRD still in DT

[fsu813]

Because the proposed location doesn't have an appropriate space to hold large public meetings, I believe the proposal also includes using the Schultz Center in the St. Nicholas area for school board meetings.

Not as good for public access as a true central location, but definitely better access than Baymeadows.

[Charles Hunter]

The Baymeadows location effectively disenfranchises many parents from areas north and west of the river. How many employees in the DCPS HQ live north or west of the river? Their commute will be 20-30 minutes longer.
According to Jax Today

Documents provided to Jacksonville Today by board member Melody Bolduc show Duval Schools expects to sell its current building for $20 million and pay $14 million for the new one. According to the documents, provided to the board in advance of Tuesday's meeting, the district received 10 offers for the current building on Prudential Drive and selected one with the help of its real estate team, Trinity Commercial Group. It's been on the market for several months.

Do they have a firm offer at $20 million for the current HQ?
How much will the relocation consume of that anticipated $6 million 'profit'?

[Zac T]

^ Now, even government is leaving the Downtown area?  DCPS is a big part what is left standing.

Let's see, the FBI moved to the burbs.  JSO to Brooklyn.  Citizens to the burbs.  The State is still "Downtown" but not really with its fortress-like suburban-style edge campus not walkable to anything. 

That leaves City offices, JEA, the IRS and Federal/State courts/attorney offices as the last major Downtown government tenants.  Did I leave anyone out?  Maybe UF, but when in significant numbers?

JSO to Brooklyn is still Downtown. If DCPS proposed moving from the Southbank to Brooklyn, no one would say they were "leaving Downtown"

[thelakelander]

Because the proposed location doesn't have an appropriate space to hold large public meetings, I believe the proposal also includes using the Schultz Center in the St. Nicholas area for school board meetings.

Not as good for public access as a true central location, but definitely better access than Baymeadows.

Have they explored working with a developer to revamp the present property? They could put a nice new building on that big surface parking lot they own, with them being development partner in the project.

[landfall]

This sheep like office movement to the Southside is pathetic, even more so from public entities. Shame on them actually.

[Jax_Developer]

Because the proposed location doesn't have an appropriate space to hold large public meetings, I believe the proposal also includes using the Schultz Center in the St. Nicholas area for school board meetings.

Not as good for public access as a true central location, but definitely better access than Baymeadows.

Have they explored working with a developer to revamp the present property? They could put a nice new building on that big surface parking lot they own, with them being development partner in the project.

This sheep like office movement to the Southside is pathetic, even more so from public entities. Shame on them actually.

Completely agree with both points. If $20M is really the purchase price, and they are spending $14M to go elsewhere... there was certainly a (more complex) solution where they stayed in a new smaller footprint while still selling the majority of the property. Can't imagine the intended uses there will have 100% parking occupancy during work hours.

[Jagsdrew]

Worked at SEG. They spent a ton to retro fit the office for the needs of the business back in 2015. Is it a fit for DCPS? Yes and No.

They'll still have retrofit it to their needs. There's no fixed auditorium for meetings, it's a flex space used primarily as a cafeteria. There's a big test kitchen and a little grab and go area for snacks/drinks. Not sure if those two components would be needed.
The lobby needs to be re-worked to be more secure for a public building.

Floors 2-4 are all open floor plan with a bunch of workspaces and a bunch of meeting rooms, etc.

But DCPS shouldn't consider a move to burbs, a central location is paramount where it doesn't disenfranchise the northside/westside/oceanway/arlington or flip side if it found a location say by the airport.

If this building was available in the DT area, no brainer.

[Charles Hunter]

Where were the rejected bids located? Any near downtown? What were their costs?

[jaxlongtimer]

Not likely included in the $14 million are transaction, due diligence, retrofit, moving and business disruption costs.

I spoke with someone who worked in facilities at DCPS last time this came up and they said the numbers for a move didn't compute and they couldn't understand the drive to move from a financial standpoint.  The School Board subsequently tabled this discussion.

I doubt much has changed since so moving likely still makes no financial sense.  It has to be cheaper to clean up the current building and, as others suggest, rent out excess space and/or co-develop the remaining property.

Regarding sharing the building and security, if the Federal Reserve Bank can find a way to rent out its excess space in one of the most secure buildings in Jax and JSO can share the Florida Blue tower with others, I think that DCPS could find a way to share space securely too.

Lastly, I don't see peak demand at this time for their Southbank property given the undeveloped land around them.   So, I wonder if they would get substantially more appreciation by sitting on the property for a while longer. 

Maybe the mystery buyer is the developer next door adding to their holdings?  or Gateway ?

[Skybox111]

Well looks like fleet landing will buy the dcps building and demolish it and build a senior living community.
https://youtu.be/iUE6DSjk5Mw?si=PnZ4QeYDUZSZQJol

[CityLife]

I would not normally say this about a senior living facility, but this could be a big get for Downtown. Fleet Landing isn't an ordinary retirement community. It's primarily geared towards retired naval officers. The Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach has a great resident profile of retired naval officers with high net worth's and disposable income. I believe there are several admirals that live there.

Could potentially be a great addition to Jax and draw retired naval officers from all over the country...but that still doesn't make the Baymeadows situation ok.

[Jagsdrew]

If Fleet Landing builds something substantial if not bigger like they are planning on doing in Nocatee, it's a win.

Interested to see if they had any conversations with the neighboring RiversEdge before eyeing the DCPS property. Just wondering when we will see the first vertical development outside of infill townhomes and public spaces.