JEA headquarters decision pushed to April

Jacksonville, FL — Citing the desire to get public input and fully vet the proposals, JEA has set a final vote on a new headquarters location for April. That’s two months after when the Board was initially slated for a possible vote.

JEA received six bids for a future corporate headquarters, and ultimately selected three for a "short list". At the most recent Board meeting this month, the Board Chair disclosed that they would make some details of those bids public ahead of a February 5th meeting, where the Board would then hear from each of the presenters and vote on the top proposal. The Board Chair left open the possibility that they would need more time before the final vote.

The three "short list" proposals include one for JEA to be in the to-be developed Lot J at TIAA Bank Field, one for them to be at Kings Avenue Station on the Southbank, and one for them to be in what is currently an empty lot on Adams Street near the County Courthouse. While the full proposals are not considered public record yet, JEA has instructed the bidders to compile a packet of information that will be made public early next month. That information will include an overview of the team, site, and design, but will not include pricing information, according to the email to JEA staff.

Based on that information, the public can comment on the plans at the February 5th Board meeting. The Board still intends to hear from the proposers at that meeting as well. Following that, JEA and their consultant CBRE will negotiate Best and Final Offers, which will be due March 11th. The final vote will then take place April 8th.

The email to JEA employees says the new date will allow the public to review the proposal summaries and let JEA and CBRE fully vet and negotiate the options.

JEA is seeking a new headquarters because the current facility needs substantial repair and is too large for the hundreds of employees it holds.