News Summary
The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) has initiated the sale of its former headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville, receiving bids from Live Oak Contracting LLC and Simple State Inc. The properties include a 19-story office building, a former customer center, a parking deck, and a parking garage. The bidding process aims to revitalize the area while ensuring community interests are considered. As JEA evaluates the bids, concerns about the preservation of the JEA Tower have also been raised by the Jacksonville Historical Society.
Jacksonville – JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) has commenced the sale process for its former headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville, receiving bids from Live Oak Contracting LLC and Simple State Inc. The bidding process pertains to multiple properties located on Church Street, marking a significant step in JEA’s transition amidst its relocation earlier this year.
The former headquarters, which became vacant in April 2023 after JEA moved its Customer Solutions Center and corporate offices to a new location at 225 N. Pearl St., includes key properties that will be evaluated. JEA plans to formally assess the submitted bids before negotiating a purchase and sale agreement with the highest-ranked respondent. This final agreement will require approval from JEA’s board.
Among the properties up for sale are:
- The Tower: A 19-story office building, featuring approximately 347,811 square feet, built in the early 1960s.
- JEA’s former Customer Center: A six-story building encompassing around 248,220 square feet, also erected in the early 1960s.
- Shared below-grade parking deck: This deck contains approximately 190 spaces located beneath The Tower and the Customer Center.
- The Adair Building: A parking garage boasting 513 spaces along with retail space at street level.
JEA had issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), indicating that any development related to these properties must align with community interests and comply with regulations set forth by the City of Jacksonville and other authorities. The bid opening took place on July 29, 2023, with the RFP deadline extended twice to accommodate potential bidders seeking additional time.
Live Oak Contracting, headquartered in Downtown Jacksonville and founded in 2014, has an extensive portfolio that includes over 9,100 multifamily units and 11.3 million square feet of commercial space. In contrast, Simple State Inc., led by property developer Marc Kozman, is based in Jacksonville Beach and is known for transforming vacant buildings into residential units. The details surrounding their proposals, including pricing information, are confidential for 30 days or until JEA indicates intent to award the winning bid.
The decision to sell the former JEA headquarters comes at a time when the Jacksonville Historical Society has raised concerns regarding the preservation status of the JEA Tower, a piece of mid-century modern architecture deemed valuable but endangered due to its prolonged vacancy. The society has expressed the need for appropriate measures to be taken to safeguard the building’s architectural integrity and historical significance.
As the evaluation process unfolds, JEA underscores its commitment to ensuring that any future development honors community interests while revitalizing the area. Stakeholders and potential buyers are now poised to witness how the formal negotiation will shape the future of these iconic properties in Jacksonville’s urban landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Retail Center Planned for Jacksonville
JEA Receives Bids for Former Headquarters in Jacksonville
Two Proposals Submitted for JEA Tower in Jacksonville
Additional Resources
- Action News Jax
- Jacksonville.com
- First Coast News
- News 4 Jax
- 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.
