Sept. 1, 2025 – Since 2005, Duval County Public Schools has explored the idea of relocating its headquarters located on Jacksonville’s Southbank at 1701 Prudential Drive.
The goal? To support downtown development and revitalization as well as net a financial gain that will go directly toward school repairs and the district’s capital reserve fund.
What’s Happening Now?
After several attempts across two decades, the School Board is now in the position to act on a viable proposal: Sell the 1701 Prudential Drive property for $20 million and buy another property located at 8928 Prominence Parkway for $14 million.
Timeline of Proposal
The School Board is scheduled to act on this proposal during their next two upcoming monthly meetings:
Sept. 2 Board Meeting – The Board is scheduled to vote on whether to give the superintendent the green light to start negotiating contracts based on the proposals.
Oct. 7 Board Meeting – The Board is expected to vote on final approval of the contracts for selling the headquarters.
Background
Duval County Public Schools has considered selling its headquarters since 2005. A 2021 effort generated 16 bids but ultimately did not result in a sale.
In September 2024, the district issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) seeking proposals from commercial real estate firms. After interviewing candidates in October, the district selected Trinity Commercial Group (TCG) to manage real estate transactions. The School Board approved a five-year contract with TCG on December 9, 2024.
TCG is a Florida-based firm with a Jacksonville office. Under the agreement, the firm is compensated through commissions only when a transaction is completed. Advisory services, site selection, and strategic consulting are provided at no additional cost to the district.
As part of the headquarters sale process, TCG received offers from 10 groups. Among them, local nonprofit Fleet Landing submitted a $20 million proposal to purchase the property and develop it into a retirement community.
Additionally, TCG identified new spaces available for purchase. These included 8928 Prominence Parkway in Baymeadows, with a purchase price not exceeding $14 million from Dream Finders Homes.
The School Board – which must approve the purchases – is scheduled to vote on the headquarters sale during their regular Board meeting on Oct. 7, 2025.
What You Need to Know
The Duval County School Board must approve all major real estate decisions.
For major sales, the district uses a competitive bidding process.
Duval County Public Schools conducts due diligence, including inspections for property condition and zoning, with the option to withdraw if issues are found.
Duval County Public Schools complies with Florida Statutes for public property transactions, using resources like the Duval County Property Appraiser’s records for valuation and tax history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the current budget for Duval County Public Schools?
The current budget for Duval County Public Schools for the 2025-2026 fiscal year comprises two primary funding categories: the Operational (General) Fund and the Capital Fund. The Operational Fund, which covers day-to-day expenses such as teacher salaries, transportation, and cafeteria services, is approximately $1.5 billion. The Capital Fund, designated for buildings, renovations, and related maintenance, is approximately $1.1 billion. These funds collectively support the district’s mission to provide high-quality education and maintain its facilities, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of students and staff.
Why is the district interested in the proposal to move the headquarters from Downtown to Baymeadows?
DCPS plans to move its headquarters from 1701 Prudential Drive to 8928 Prominence Parkway in Baymeadows to cut costs and modernize. The current building, built in 1981, costs $512,624 annually to maintain. The new site, renovated in 2015, will have lower expenses, supporting the district’s Five-Year Capital Plan to address a $1.4 billion Capital Fund shortfall in the master facility plan and redirect savings to schools.
How does this move address the district’s budget shortfall?
This move is expected to reduce costs by lowering expenses related to maintenance and utilities, which directly benefits the Capital Funds. Additionally, a projected $6 million in revenue will help offset expenses outlined in the 2019 Master Facility Plan (MFP). The $6M will help cover critical school repairs and renovations —helping to close the budget gap without the need for new taxes. These funds will not support the Operational (General) Funds.
How will the move affect accessibility for families, especially those not near Baymeadows?
To improve accessibility, the district will continue parent-facing services at the centrally located Parent Resource Center, housed at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership (4019 Boulevard Center Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207). School Board meetings will also be held at this location. Administrative functions will move to the Baymeadows location.
What happens to the money from the headquarters sale?
The $20 million from the sale of 1701 Prudential Drive will be allocated to school repairs, renovations, and the district’s capital reserve fund.
The building has to be worth more than $20 million. How do we know this is a fair price?
The district used a competitive bidding process managed by TCG, receiving 10 offers for the headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive. The $20 million offer from Fleet Landing was selected based on price and community benefit. The process follows Florida Statutes for transparency, and the district relies on professional valuations and the Duval County Property Appraiser’s records to ensure a fair market price.
Why not stay Downtown to support Jacksonville’s revitalization?
The School Board is considering the sale of the riverfront headquarters to support city goals of redeveloping the Southbank for residential or mixed-use projects, like the proposed retirement community by Fleet Landing. The district has explored staying Downtown in past attempts (e.g., 2021 and 2022), but high maintenance costs and the need for modern facilities have driven the current plan to relocate to Baymeadows.
Will the new headquarters have adequate facilities for public meetings?
The Prominence Parkway building has a cafeteria but no permanent auditorium. Duval County Public Schools plans to hold School Board meetings at the Schultz Center, which is equipped for public gatherings, ensuring accessibility for community engagement.
Why was the Fleet Landing offer chosen over others?
Fleet Landing’s $20 million offer was selected from 10 bids through a competitive process managed by Trinity Commercial Group. The selection was based on price, alignment with district needs, and community benefit, with no option for counter offers to ensure fairness.
Is there an option for a counter offers on the current HQ building?
No counteroffers are allowed. The $20 million offer was selected through a competitive bidding process with multiple offers.
How many employees will be transitioning to the new headquarters location?
The number of employees potentially moving to 8928 Prominence Parkway has not been finalized.
What is the annual operational cost of new building vs. current location?
The current headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive has an average annual cost of $512,624 over the last three years, broken down as follows:
Maintenance (Work Orders): $50,000
Roof Maintenance: $8,000
HVAC: $39,000
Fire Protection: $4,572
Custodial: $206,574
Pest Control: $1,012
Solid Waste: $15,646
Blinds: $2,099
Elevator Repairs: $10,325
Utilities (Electric, Water, Sewer): $162,696
Grounds and Irrigation: $12,700
The new HQ at Prominence Parkway, renovated in 2015, is expected to have lower maintenance costs due to recent upgrades.
What is the cost of moving to the new HQ location?
The district plans to use in-house warehouse staff for the move, avoiding external moving costs.
What are the potential savings from not paying moving expenses?
By using internal staff, Duval County Public Schools avoids external moving fees, which would cost thousands of dollars.
What is the estimated value of furniture and office inventory in the Prominence Parkway building?
The estimated value is approximately $3 million, based on district assessments.
Have inspections been conducted for the new HQ?
Inspections have not yet occurred but are scheduled after contract signing, with an option to cancel if issues are found.
What other properties are involved in the district’s real estate plans?
Beyond the headquarters, no additional properties have been confirmed for sale as part of the current relocation plan. Previous discussions in 2022 included surplus properties like a 43.65-acre warehouse at 11231 Phillips Industrial Blvd., a 3.47-acre site at 120 King St., and the Midtown Centre (7.99 acres, including the Schultz Center). Decisions on these will follow further appraisals and planning within the Five-Year Capital Plan.
What happens if the School Board does not approve the sale or purchase in October?
If the School Board does not approve the proposed sale of 1701 Prudential Drive or the purchase of 8928 Prominence Parkway, the district will continue to explore other options for relocating its headquarters. This could include revisiting other bids, seeking new properties, or reassessing the current headquarters’ maintenance costs. The district will update the public through Board meetings and its website.