Mayor Deegan Addresses Safety Concerns to Retain Citizens Property Insurance Downtown
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Following the selection of a South Jacksonville property, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is considering a move from its downtown offices, prompting Mayor Donna Deegan to explore options to enhance safety in the area. The possible relocation follows a competitive bidding process for “turn-key” office space, with Citizens choosing a site at 8787 BayPine Road, according to a statement from the company.
Citizens spokesman Michael Peltier said, “Citizens conducted a competitive, sealed-bid solicitation for new office space in Jacksonville. That process resulted in the selection of a new office building within the City of Jacksonville, 8787 BayPine Road. This new office building is the best fit for the needs of Citizens, applying the factors set out in the solicitation.”
Peltier outlined several factors influencing the decision:
- To provide a safe and secure work environment for Citizens’ employees and visitors.
- To prioritize the overall impact of the office location on Citizens’ employees.
- To obtain an office facility that supports team collaboration, professional development, operational efficiency, and policyholder service.
- To the extent practical, expedite the relocation of Citizens’ operations to a space that meets Citizens’ overall needs.
- To ensure the overall cost of the selected lease is reasonable and appropriate for the property that is determined to best meet Citizens’ overall needs.
The potential move from the current 30-story building at 301 W. Bay St. comes amid growing safety worries. A Citizens employee, speaking anonymously, told News4JAX that staff have been concerned for years, citing an instance of aggressive behavior by an individual near the office that morning.
In response to the situation, Mayor Deegan has stated her commitment to keeping Citizens downtown, saying she has spoken with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters about the possibility of increasing security measures.
“The City of Jacksonville remains committed to making every reasonable effort to retain this anchor employer. I have spoken to Sheriff Waters, and we will work together to place a JSO stop station in the building for extra security. There is a window still open for Citizens Property Insurance to remain downtown. We are hopeful their Board of Directors will reevaluate this decision given the progress that’s been made, not only in terms of safety, but also the many exciting projects that are coming out of the ground,” Mayor Deegan said.
A JSO spokesperson confirmed the discussions between the mayor and sheriff. However, the spokesperson added that plans for a stop station are not yet finalized, without a confirmed timeline.
Mayor Deegan’s efforts are supported by the Jacksonville Civic Council and the JAX Chamber, who sent a letter to Citizens expressing concern that the move “would be a devastating blow for Downtown Jacksonville at a time when public and private investment is sparking long-term, sustainable growth.” The letter’s signatories include key figures like Daniel Davis and Aundra Wallace. “The City of Jacksonville is investing billions of dollars in public spaces and incentivizing catalytic projects downtown. The Jaguars are investing more than a billion dollars in the Stadium of the Future, the Four Seasons and other developments around the Sports Complex. The University of Florida is planning on investing hundreds of millions of dollars in its graduate campus in Downtown Jacksonville. We ask you to please rescind the initial Invitation to Negotiate for Citizens offices in Jacksonville and start the process over to include the possibility of staying downtown,” the letter stated.
The Jacksonville lease is scheduled to appear on the agenda for a Wednesday Citizens’ Board of Governors meeting at 1 p.m. Final approval is also required from the Florida Department of Management Services. In the event the lease isn’t finalized, CPI has the option to enter into a lease agreement for the property at 14000 Citicards Way.
