Citizens Property Insurance Board Votes to Relocate Jacksonville Office
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a move that has sent ripples throughout the downtown area, the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors voted Wednesday afternoon to relocate its Jacksonville office. The decision, made during a board meeting, will see the office move from its current location at 301 W. Bay Street to 8787 Baypine Road.
According to a statement provided to News4JAX by Citizens spokesman Michael Peltier, the move is driven by specific objectives:
“Citizens Board of Governors today approved funding for a 10-year lease agreement to provide Jacksonville office space following a statutorily established procurement process. Citizens’ staff will proceed with the necessary steps to execute the lease agreement. The property, located at 8787 Baypine Road, best fits the goals and objectives for Citizens’ long-term operations in the City of Jacksonville.”
The new location on Baypine Road is the site of the former Florida Coastal School of Law. Citizens has outlined several factors that align with the move, including a focus on employee safety, improving the work environment, and overall operational efficiency. The move is intended to expedite the relocation and secure a cost-effective space that meets all of the organization’s needs.
Sources indicate that recent safety concerns in downtown Jacksonville played a part in the decision. A CPI employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, told News4JAX that multiple colleagues had raised worries about their well-being near the current office building. The source noted that a man who appeared to be unhoused was seen behaving aggressively earlier in the day.
Mayor Donna Deegan released a statement in response to the news. She expressed her commitment to retaining Citizens as a significant employer in the downtown area, indicating that she has already spoken to Sheriff Waters about increasing security in the area:
“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.”
A spokesperson for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) confirmed the discussion between the mayor and the sheriff, but clarified that plans for a JSO stop station have yet to be finalized, and there is no fixed timeline yet.
Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Deegan voiced her hope that Citizens would reconsider the relocation, emphasizing the city’s commitment to fostering a thriving environment downtown.
“We hope Citizens will stay regardless,” Deegan said. “We’re going to continue to create an environment that’s going to be really helpful. To have people come and move downtown and live, work and play, as we say, in this beautiful area. And pretty soon, it’s going to be hard for people to get down here, because you can see all the cranes in the air. You can see everything that’s happening. It’s going to be a place where everybody wants to be, and I hope they’ll be among those people.”
In addition, News4JAX obtained a letter from the Jacksonville Civic Council and the JAX Chamber, highlighting concerns that the move would negatively affect downtown Jacksonville, particularly given ongoing investment and development.
Peltier confirmed that Citizens staff will go ahead with vendors to finalize the lease agreement. The Florida Department of Management Services must give final approval before the move can happen.
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