JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools is once again considering a new home for its headquarters and after years of discussion, the School Board has narrowed the list down to two locations: Baymeadows and Midtown.
Board members spent much of Tuesday morning weighing the pros and cons of both, with some saying Midtown is more centralized and better for the future of the DCPS community and its staff, while others argue Baymeadows makes more financial sense for the district.
The Baymeadows option would cost roughly $14.2 million and would have enough space for the entire district workforce.
However, board members say they are not yet sure of the additional renovation costs and accessibility is one of its biggest drawbacks.
“It’s so far away. A lot of the employees currently working at this building would have to travel,” said Jim Culbert, District Chief Operating Officer.
The Prominence Parkway office park in the Southside near 95 is where the district planned to move before a previous deal to sell the headquarters fell through earlier this year.
Board member Reginald Blount also expressed concern about the long-term implications of moving away from the city center.
“I’m just really concerned that taking this government building and moving it out to Baymeadows really bothers me for future boards to have to deal with. We’re going to be totally away from the city center,” Blount said.
Option 2: Midtown
The Midtown option would place the district at the office park that already houses the Schultz Center, a location the district already has existing space in.
Supporters say the centralized location makes it more accessible for employees and the community.
But the price tag is significantly higher, with the first phase projected to cost about $16.2 million and a second phase adding another $14 million.
Culbert acknowledged the appeal of staying closer to downtown, but said the cost is a concern.
“We really wanted to be downtown and that would be the perfect place for us to be. But the problem is just the overall cost. The closer you get to the center of the city, the more expensive it’s going to cost,” he said.
Board member April Carney was direct about her hesitation.
“I’m really struggling with paying triple to be in Midtown. It’s triple per square foot,” Carney said.
No decision yet
The board ultimately narrowed its focus to those two locations but did not make a final decision.
Members say they will continue working to close out the best offer for the current headquarters property and gather more community input before moving forward.
As for the sale of the current riverfront headquarters, two offers are on the table. Bainbridge Communities has offered $15.5 million and Ashco has offered $15.6 million.
Staff says they have landed on one offer due to its mixed-use plans, which would include not only condominiums but also restaurants and shops.
They say they are confident the sale will go through.
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