News Summary
JEA has received bids from Live Oak Contracting LLC and Simple State Inc. for its former headquarters and properties in Downtown Jacksonville. These proposals follow JEA’s recent move to a new location, and the properties include the historic Tower and Customer Center. JEA aims to align future developments with community needs and will negotiate with the top-ranked bidder after evaluating the proposals.
Jacksonville – JEA has received bids from two companies for the purchase of its former headquarters and adjacent properties located on Church Street in Downtown Jacksonville. The proposals were submitted by Live Oak Contracting LLC and Simple State Inc. during the bid opening held on July 29, 2023. JEA plans to initiate a formal evaluation of the proposals before entering negotiations with the top-ranked bidder.
As part of this process, the highest-ranked respondent will negotiate a purchase and sale agreement, which will require ultimate approval from JEA’s board. This decision follows JEA’s relocation of its Customer Solutions Center and corporate offices to a new site at 225 N. Pearl St. in April 2023.
Properties for Sale
The properties currently on the market include:
- The Tower, a 19-story office building encompassing approximately 347,811 square feet.
- JEA’s former Customer Center, a six-story building totaling about 248,220 square feet.
- A shared below-grade parking deck with approximately 190 parking spaces.
- The Adair Building, featuring 513 parking spaces along with street-level retail space.
Both the Tower and Customer Center were constructed in the early 1960s and hold historical significance in the community.
Request for Proposal Process
In February, JEA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting interested parties to submit development plans that reflect the interests of the community. Proposals were required to incorporate collaboration with the City of Jacksonville and relevant regulatory bodies. This strategic move reflects JEA’s commitment to ensuring that any future developments align with community needs.
Bidder Profiles
Live Oak Contracting, founded in 2014 and situated in Downtown Jacksonville, brings extensive experience to the table with the development of over 9,100 multifamily units and 11.3 million square feet of commercial space. Meanwhile, Simple State Inc., headquartered in Jacksonville Beach and led by Marc Kozman, is recognized for its residential unit developments and renovations in the Arlington area.
Simple State’s portfolio includes various projects, aligning with the city’s evolving real estate landscape and its goals for community-focused development.
Historical Significance and Community Interest
The historical aspect of the JEA Tower has been highlighted by the Jacksonville Historical Society, which recently labeled it as an endangered structure due to its current state of vacancy. This aspect has sparked discussions among community members and officials regarding the potential transformation of the properties into housing or other developments that serve the larger community.
Next Steps
Following the evaluation process, JEA’s staff will negotiate with the top-ranked bidder based on recommendations from an evaluation committee. Once negotiations are successfully concluded, the resulting purchase and sale agreement will be submitted for review and approval by JEA’s board.
Additional details regarding the RFP and other relevant information can be accessed on JEA’s official website at jea.com.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax
- Jax Daily Record
- Jacksonville.com
- First Coast News
- Wikipedia: JEA
- Google Search: JEA headquarters Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
