Citizens Insurance to Relocate to Southside from Downtown Jacksonville

Citizens Insurance new office location in South Jacksonville

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News Summary

Citizens Insurance has announced its move from downtown Jacksonville to the Deerfield Center in South Jacksonville, affecting local businesses and employees. With safety concerns driving the decision, the city faces challenges in maintaining foot traffic and supporting local shops. Mayor Deegan is exploring measures to enhance safety in the area, as downtown struggles with high vacancy rates. As they finalize their new lease, the shift represents a significant change for both the company and the local community.

Citizens Insurance Plans to Move to Southside, Bringing Changes for Downtown Jacksonville

In an exciting yet bittersweet turn of events, Citizens Insurance has declared its intentions to pack up and move from the bustling EverBank Tower in downtown Jacksonville to a new office space in the Deerfield Center area of South Jacksonville. This transition, coming less than two years after their lease was signed, will impact the city significantly, especially for the employees and local businesses that thrive on the daily hustle and bustle of a busy downtown.

Let’s Talk Numbers

With approximately 800 employees currently calling downtown Jacksonville their workplace, the shift could mean fewer warm bodies frequenting nearby cafes, restaurants, and shops that have come to rely on their lunchtime patronage. Business owners, like hot dog cart owner Jennifer Morrissey, are understandably worried about what this move could mean for their livelihoods. Many of these small businesses have thrived on the foot traffic generated by the daily influx of office workers. Morrissey, for example, fears that her regular lunchtime customers may dwindle as employees make their trek to the new location.

Safety Comes First

So what prompted this significant change? Citizens Insurance has emphasized that their decision was largely driven by safety and security concerns. In their search for new office space, these factors were weighted much more heavily than the potential costs. The move comes amidst a backdrop of discussions regarding safety measures in downtown Jacksonville, which leaves many pondering if the downtown area is indeed as secure as it once was. Morrissey mentioned that despite her concerns, she has always felt safe in the downtown area, largely due to visible security presence and police patrols.

Other Players in the Game

Interestingly, this announcement from Citizens comes just a day after CSX, another big player in the downtown scene, reaffirmed its commitment to remain in the area. CSX’s leadership shared optimism about invigorating efforts to keep downtown bustling, and the CEO spoke about how increased foot traffic contributes to an overall sense of safety.

Mayor’s Response

Meanwhile, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is stepping into the fray, indicating that there is still a chance for Citizens Insurance to hold onto its downtown roots. In collaboration with local law enforcement, she is looking to bolster safety measures in the area, including discussions with Sheriff T.K. Waters about potentially establishing a sheriff’s office stop station within the EverBank Center. With downtown’s current vacancy rate sitting at a staggering 28%—a statistic largely attributed to the shift to remote work—keeping businesses in the area becomes more critical than ever.

Details on the Move

The move to the new office location at 8787 Baypine Road isn’t just a change in address; it signals a critical turning point for Citizens Insurance, which has significantly contributed to Jacksonville’s business landscape since its establishment in 2002. The company has grown to be a major insurer for Floridians unable to secure private market coverage.

Next Steps

With the lease set to finalize in January 2026, Citizens Insurance continues to negotiate other prospective locations just in case the Baypine Road deal doesn’t go through. After an invitation to negotiate attracted seven bids for the new office space, Citizens chose a winning bid from Jacksonville IV FGF LLC, which scored 78.18 points. They require at least 200,000 square feet of space and ample parking, essential for the company’s expansive team.

In Conclusion

While changes are brewing for Citizens Insurance and the downtown area, the coming months will be crucial for both the company and local businesses. With the clock ticking down to 2026, there’s still hope that enhanced safety measures may convince Citizens to remain in the vibrant heart of downtown Jacksonville, maintaining the lively atmosphere the area is known for. Stay tuned as this story develops, and keep those fingers crossed for local businesses up and down the streets!