School Board Will Vote on Southbank Site Sale
The board plans to sell its longtime headquarters, impacting long-term space and relocation requirements for staff.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Duval County School Board will vote on October 6, 2026, to sell its 4.87-acre headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive in Jacksonville. The move comes as the district weighs relocating its 400 employees from the site it has occupied for 45 years.
Why it matters
The sale signals a significant shift in the district's real estate footprint as it evaluates options like Midtown Centre to replace its aging headquarters. This transition will require operational adjustments for staff and stakeholders as the board manages a potential three-year relocation timeline.
The proposed sale price from Ashco Inc. is $15,132,000 for the 4.87-acre property, supported by a $1 million deposit. The district is considering relocation options ranging from $16.3 million to $34.3 million in costs.
The players
Ashco Inc.
A commercial developer specializing in mixed-use projects and large-scale urban infrastructure.
Duval County School Board
The local governing body responsible for district-wide administrative operations and asset management.
April Carney
A school board member currently involved in evaluating the district's property and administrative timelines.
The details
Ashco Inc. has proposed a mixed-use development featuring two towers up to 30 stories tall on the site. If approved, the buyer will enter a 120-day investigation period for soil testing and documentation before the district begins a three-year window to vacate the property.
Timeline
February 2026: Chase Properties canceled a prior purchase agreement for the school site.
September 15, 2026: Board member April Carney discussed potential move-out timelines.
October 6, 2026: The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposed property sale.
November 2026: New board members are set to take office.
Market Landscape
The vote follows the failed sale to Chase Properties in February 2026, which stalled the board's exit from the Prudential Drive site. This latest proposal mirrors a broader trend of institutional entities divesting long-held central real estate in favor of modern, optimized facilities.
Operators and local stakeholders should monitor the 120-day investigation window for potential delays in the project's progression. Watch for upcoming board meetings following the November 2026 transition, as new leadership may alter the relocation and procurement strategy.
The takeaway
The proposed sale illustrates the complexity of managing 45-year-old institutional real estate in an evolving urban market. Watch the October 6 vote results closely to see if the board secures the $15.1 million target, which will dictate their capital availability for a new site.
Further reading
For more context on how property shifts influence modern work environments, review our Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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