JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County Public Schools’ headquarters building could be sold sooner rather than later, and officials with the purchasing group said they plan to build a retirement community after tearing down the Southbank building.
According to News4JAX partner Jacksonville Today, Fleet Landing, a local nonprofit, has submitted a $20 million offer for DCPS’s headquarters, an offer that comes in about $6 million over its asking price.
If finalized, it would become the nonprofit’s third community in the Jacksonville area.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DCPS’s headquarters building is currently up for sale. A councilman wants school leaders to it move downtown | DCPS board to vote on Southbank headquarters sale, buying Baymeadows building to become new home
“Negotiations and due diligence for the Southbank site are in the early stages, and much work remains, including final School Board approval. Fleet Landing anticipates sharing more details about the potential development by the end of 2025,” a statement sent by Fleet Landing to Jax Today read.
A vote by DCPS school board members on the sale of the property on Prudential Drive is expected to take place on Sept. 2. The board’s agenda also includes an item for consideration involving the purchase of 8928 Prominence Parkway, from Dream Finders Homes Providence LLC.
The Jacksonville Daily Record reported that Dream Finders submitted a demolition permit for another one of the buildings there, but not the one DCPS is looking into.
8928 Prominence Parkway is currently the location for the office of Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie & Harveys.
During a Tuesday workshop with the school board members, Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier cited the ongoing development of the Southbank as an indicator of the land’s value.
Bernier added that any extra money made in the sale of DCPS’s headquarters would be put toward repairs and renovations for school buildings.
“The sale would potentially close on August of 2026,” Bernier said. He went on to explain that of the $20 million, $12.5 million would come at closing, and the additional $7.5 million would come 36 months after closing.
He also said this would be the best deal to meet the districts’ needs.
“The school board has asked me to make a determination about getting off the river, they asked me over a year ago,” Bernier said. “We’ve come with what we believe is a good deal for them (the school board) to consider.”
Jax Today writes that, according to Bernier, all parent-facing offices would be moved to the Schultz Center, and school board meetings would be held there as well.
Let us know below what type of property you would like to see built at the site of DCPS’s headquarters.
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