JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board’s decision to turn down a $20 million bid for its riverfront headquarters has ignited a deeper look at what other offers were in the running and what they promised to bring.
News4JAX Reporter, Briana Brownlee, received a package of Letters of Intent obtained through a public records request. Those letters included a wide range of ideas — from apartments, to a new school and a retirement community. Some flashy, some simple.
The people spoke
Public opinion played a significant role in the school board’s decision to reject Fleet Landing’s $20 million proposal, which would have transformed the property into a retirement community.
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“I thought the school board did a good job, and the people spoke,” said Councilman At-Large Matt Carlucci. “I commend the school board and the superintendent for their decision.”
Carlucci added that the board is under no pressure to sell quickly, since it owns the land outright. “It’s better for them to wait and make the right decision,” he said.
While the question of what to do with the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) headquarters has been debated for years, Carlucci believes a deal could still be finalized within six months to a year.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the district has not made any final decisions, and their real estate firm is continuing to engage with interested parties to explore all options.
What the other bids offered
Here’s a look at some of the standout proposals included in the Letters of Intent:
Stash Self Storage: Proposed a full-scale redevelopment featuring 400 apartments, office space, and a new 200,000-square-foot DCPS office building under a 30-year NNN lease. The plan also included dedicated parking.
Building Hope: Offered $10 million to construct a new school district headquarters, a Duval County public school, and a parking facility — all to be leased back to the district.
Fleet Landing (Bid Rejected): The highest offer at $20 million came from the nonprofit senior living organization Fleet Landing, proposing a retirement community for the site.
Chase Properties: Offered $15 million for a mixed-use riverfront development, combining residential and commercial spaces. Carlucci noted this proposal might include a riverfront restaurant — a much-needed addition, in his view.
Bateh Perry: Offered $4 million to build townhomes on the site.
Nomad Capital: Submitted a $12.25 million offer for a flexible, mixed-use redevelopment.
Bainbridge: Proposed $15 million to construct a five-story luxury multifamily residential community.
Several other bidders submitted proposals without detailed development plans, offering only dollar amounts without specifics on potential use.
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