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Record & Observer THE VISION OF JAKE GODBOLD Record & Observer

JEA turmoil: What will happen next

JACKSONVILLE

City-owned utility needs a new board, leadership.

BY MIKE MENDENHALL

JACKSONVILLE

Record & Observer STAFF WRITER

The JEA board fired CEO Aaron Zahn with cause Jan. 28 and later that day, Mayor Lenny Curry announced the city-owned utility’s board members would leave by Feb. 28. Here’s what will happen next. A NEW BOARD

JACKSONVILLE

Record & Observer more about a new stadium. With just a few days of promotion, 50,000 people filled the old Gator Bowl stadium screaming for the Colts when Godbold and team owner Robert Irsay arrived by helicopter and landed on the 50-yard line. Godbold’s enthusiasm and his belief in what was a dream more than 40 years ago became reality in November 1993 when the NFL awarded its 32nd franchise to his hometown. But there was more to Jake Godbold than his determination for a football team. During his time as mayor, the city

The mayor appoints the utility’s seven board members with City Council approval. City Director of Public Affairs Nikki Kimbleton said Jan. 29 the mayor has started looking at appointees and will ask Council members and community leaders for advice. Council has about a month to approve the mayor’s appointees before Feb. 28 when the board members are gone. Council President Scott Wilson hesitates to Wilson act too quickly. “I wouldn’t want to enter them as an emergency if the Council members haven’t had a chance to vet the selections,” Wilson said. “Maybe as a one-cycle emergency.” Council member Rory Diamond is vice chair of the Council Rules Committee, where the board nominations will first be debated. He anticipates a thorough vetting process. “Ultimately, I think the City Council will work well with the mayor, but there will be more scrutiny on these appointments than you might have seen from past councils.” Wilson said he plans to identify some potential members for Curry. “Let me be clear, it’s his deci-

SEE GODBOLD, PAGE 5

SEE JEA, PAGE 6

File image

Jake Godbold served two decades as an elected official in Jacksonville city government, including more than eight years as mayor.

From courting an NFL football team to supporting the arts and fighting the privatization of JEA, people who knew the late mayor say he “never stopped advocating for Jacksonville.”

BY MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR

populist and a visionary. That’s how people describe the late Jake Godbold. A City Council member from 1967-79 and Jacksonville’s mayor from 1978-87, Godbold died Jan. 23 at age 86. He is remembered for many contributions to his hometown, perhaps most notably, “Colt Fever,” a grassroots campaign in August 1979 to bring the NFL to Jacksonville by courting the owner of the Baltimore Colts, who discussed moving the team after talks with Balti-

What’s Trending: Old fire station demolished in Brooklyn PAGE 2 Residential real estate: A record year for home sales PAGE 7 Leaders in the Law: Coker Law attorney David Thompson PAGE 8

THE BASCH REPORT

NextEra CEO ‘disappointed’ JEA ended possible sale Plus: FIS will maintain Cincinnati presence. PAGE 4 VOLUME 2, NO. 35 • ONE SECTION

WHAT’S TRENDING

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

Big news doesn’t break just on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the top stories published over the past week online at JaxDailyRecord.com and in the Jacksonville Daily Record that you may have missed.

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Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department

DEVELOPMENT

Old Fire Station No. 5 demolished Closed Fire Station No. 5 in Brooklyn was demolished Jan. 25. The structure, at 347 Riverside Ave.. was in the path of road realignment needed for access to the $145 million riverfront headquarters to be built for Fidelity National Information Services Inc. The fire station was not designated

as historic and was considered blight by the city. The Downtown Investment Authority sought someone interested in buying and moving the building, but received no responses. Built in 1910, the building was used until 2008 when the city relocated the service to 234 Forest St.

Established in 1912, the Financial News & Daily Record, now the Jacksonville Daily Record, is published Monday-Friday and is the Official Court Newspaper of the Circuit JACKSONVILLE Court and publisher of public notices in Duval County. Jacksonville Record & Observer is a free weekly business newspaper available in Downtown Jacksonville and key business nodes throughout Jacksonville. To find a location near you, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/rack-locations. Editorial content focuses on news and trends, with a concentration on development, real estate, construction, law, companies, economic and industry trends and how local and state government affects business.

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Southern Grounds & Co., BurgerFi to airport

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Southern Grounds & Co. and BurgerFi are heading to Jacksonville International Airport. Southern Grounds, which operates two Jacksonville locations and has a third planned in Avondale, will open in the fall in Concourse A adjacent to Gate A4. It will serve coffee, tea, breakfast,

lunch, dinner and pastries. It also will offer grab-and-go items. When the airport’s Concourse B opens, so too will BurgerFi. It operates two Jacksonville locations in Brooklyn and at The Markets at Town Center. Concourse B is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

GROCERY STORES Publix acquiring Lucky’s lease in Neptune Beach Publix Super Markets Inc. said Jan. 27 that it intends to buy the Lucky’s Market lease in Neptune Beach, raising the possibility that it will bring its GreenWise Market concept to Duval County. “I can confirm that we are under contract to purchase five Lucky’s leases with locations in Clermont, Naples, Neptune Beach, Orlando and Ormond Beach. We are currently in the due diligence process,” said Maria Brous, director of communications with Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets. The Lucky’s Market at 580 Atlantic

Blvd. is east of the full-line Publix supermarket at 630 Atlantic Blvd. Publix has been expanding its GreenWise natural and organics market banner and has two locations identified in St. Johns County. Lucky’s Market announced Jan. 27 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and signed agreements with Aldi and Publix Super Markets Inc. to acquire 11 of its locations. Niwot, Colorado-based Lucky’s Market is closing 32 of its 39 natural foods stores, including two it leases in Northeast Florida in Neptune Beach and Oakleaf.

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

Legal Advertising: Submit public notices via email to legal@jaxdailyrecord.com To find more business events or to submit your event to the the business calendar, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/calendar. FEB. 5 Madeleine Albright at World Affairs Council: Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is scheduled to speak Feb. 5 to the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville at the Presidential Global Issues Evening about “Fascism: A Warning.” She will speak with World Affairs Council members at a reception at 5:30 p.m. at the University of North Florida Field House followed by her marquee presentation at 7 p.m. at the UNF Arena at 11852 UNF Drive. More than 3,000 attendees are expected. For information, visit worldaffairscounclljax.org or call (904) 280-8162. FEB. 13 David Altig at Economic Roundtable: David Altig, executive vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, is scheduled to speak about “The U.S. Economy: Is This as Good as it Gets?” to the

Economic Roundtable of Jacksonville. The event also will provide information about the bank’s focus on economic mobility and resilience and advancing careers for low-income families. The reception at 5 p.m. will be followed by dinner and the program 6-7:30 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Jacksonville Branch at 800 Water St. Downtown. Single tickets are $35 and a table of eight is $280. Student tickets are $25. Register by Feb. 10 at ertjax.org. FEB. 25 Jerry Rice at Florida Forum: The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital 2019-20 Florida Forum series will feature Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice to conclude its 2019-20 series Feb. 25 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. Forum sponsors are Wells Fargo, Florida Blue and Landstar. For information, visit thefloridaforum.com or call (904) 202-2886.

POSTAL INFORMATION Jacksonville Daily Record (USPS 190-620) is published daily except Saturday, Sunday & legal holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) by Daily Record & Observer LLC, 10 N. Newnan St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Periodicals postage paid at Jacksonville, Florida and at additional mailing offices. Under no circumstances will any news or records of Duval County be suppressed for anyone. Information in this newspaper is for our subscribers only and must not be used by anyone for publication purposes.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

Baer’s Furniture says store is in ‘ideal location’

The Pompano-Beach based chain plans to open at the end of 2020 at 7760 Gate Parkway near Ikea. Baer’s Furniture Co. President and CEO Jerry Baer said the Florida-based family-owned company studied Northeast Florida to choose the right site for its northernmost Florida store. “We think we have a really ideal location for your market,” Baer said. Baer’s Furniture Co. bought property at 7760 Gate Parkway and is developing a two-story, almost 85,000-square-foot store that Baer estimates is an investment of $15 million. The city approved a permit in December for RLH Construction LLC of Oviedo to build the store at a cost of $7.6 million. Dasher Hurst Architects of Jacksonville is the architect. Baer’s Furniture Co. paid $3.3 million for 4.12 acres in October 2018, buying the land from the Skinner family. Baer expects to open the store by the end of 2020 and employ about 50 people. It will be the Pompano Beachbased company’s 17th Florida showroom. The site, at northwest Gate Parkway and Point Meadows Drive near Interstate 295, is convenient from St. Augustine to South Georgia, he said. The nearest location to the south is in Orlando. The Jacksonville store is across Gate Parkway from Ikea, the popular Sweden-based selfassembly furniture company. That doesn’t concern Baer. The stores are different concepts – do-it-yourself vs. full customer service from a Florida-built business. “We wouldn’t have bought it if we didn’t think so,” Baer said of the location. “We focus on taking care of the customer

Courtesy of Dasher Hurst Architects

Dasher Hurst Architects of Jacksonville is the architect for the Baer’s Furniture Co. store in development at 7760 Gate Parkway.

with the best quality furniture.” Baer’s Furniture operates primarily in the Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Naples and Miami areas. In addition to Jacksonville, Baer’s is looking at additional markets that include Daytona and Tampa, he said. This year is the company’s 75th anniversary. “It is the same family ownership, but it is our team of people” who make it sucBaer cessful, Baer said. The company employs about 800 people, with one nonfamily member there 57 years and several on staff for more than 40 years. Baer said two members of the fourth generation are working there full-time. “We are a generational business,” he said. Baer’s describes itself as “Florida’s premium furniture and mattress store.” It sells furnishings for living room, dining, bedroom, home office and entertainment spaces. Baer’s Furniture displays galleries of brands, such as Natuzzi Editions, Tommy Bahama Home and Outdoor Living, Bernhardt, Hooker Furniture, Universal Furniture, Coastal Living and Lexington. It can provide special and custom-ordered products. It also offers interior design services. FurnitureToday described Baer’s as a high-end retailer and ranked it No. 43 on its 2019 Top 100 U.S. Furniture Stores list with 2018 sales of $191 million, up 7.2% from 2017. Baer estimates annual sales

were about $192 million last year, similar to 2018. The furniture industry news site said Baer’s locations average about 50,000 square feet. Baer said stores range from 28,000 to 100,000 square feet. “We’ve been doing this a long time,” he said. His grandfather taught him to provide quality products and “outstanding customer service.” “There aren’t too many furniture companies 75 years under the same family.” The company has been family-owned and operated since 1945 when Jerry Baer’s grandparents founded it in South Bend, Indiana. His uncle, Chairman Robert Baer, moved to Florida in 1968 and opened the first Florida store in Dania. The family followed over the next six to eight years. “And the rest as they say is history,” Baer said.

Paycor anticipates nearly $1M build-out in Southpoint

The city is reviewing plans for Paycor Inc.’s proposed space in Innovation Park in South Jacksonville. A permit application shows a $962,030 tenant improvement of 33,786 square feet of space on the second floor at 6735 Southpoint Drive S. The nationwide payroll and human resources company opened its Jacksonville office 20 years ago and intends to hire up to 130 people as it expands in Southside. Spokeswoman Katy Bunn said in December that Paycor employs 90 people at its 11,000-square-foot office in Greystone Business Park at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd., No. 306, where it has operated

since opening in Jacksonville. Bunn said the company will expand by April into an additional almost 34,000 square feet in Innovation Park. “We will be undergoing a complete space renovation including new furniture, fixtures and equipment,” Bunn said. She said the expansion makes room for an additional 130 employees. Paycor will hire for client service-based positions.

Aldi at Philips a $2 million project The city is reviewing a permit application for Schmid Construction Inc. to build an Aldi grocery store at 3650 Philips Highway at a construction cost of $1.95 million. Aldi Inc. plans a discount neighborhood food market of 20,442 square feet of enclosed space and 1,278 square feet of unenclosed space on 2.76 acres where Wells Fargo previously operated at Philips Highway and Emerson Street. Aldi’s Haines City division is developing the site. Schmid Construction is based in Clermont. SGA Design Group of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the architect.

Island Wing Co. working on site in Bartram Market

Island Wing Company is working toward its second Northeast Florida restaurant. JEA is reviewing a service availability request for Island Wing Company to build a 7,500-square-foot restaurant at Bartram Market in St. Johns County. William Moore, president of Construction Solutions LLC

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in Tallahassee and director of planning and construction for Island Wing Company, said the team is discussing the timeline. Jacksonville franchise owner Shane Powers opened the first Island Wing Company this month at 4409 Southside Blvd., converting a former TGI Friday’s restaurant. In February, Powers said he planned several more locations in Northeast Florida and anticipated the next two in Bartram Market and Beachwalk in St. Johns County. Island Wing Company is a full-service restaurant and bar concept that focuses on baked and grilled food rather than fried. Bartram Market is anchored by Publix Super Markets Inc. and under development along Race Track Road. EnglandThims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer for the Island Wing Company project. The first Island Wing opened in August 2012 in Auburn, Alabama, by a husband-and-wife team. The franchise company is based in Destin. Its website shows nine restaurants, comprising two in Alabama and seven in Florida, including the Jacksonville location. In February, Powers said his restaurants employ 100 to 125 people, mostly part-time. He estimated the Southside project at $2 million and the Bartram Market and Beachwalk locations at $3.5 million to $4 million. Powers said he is the area developer and franchisee for Duval, St. Johns, Nassau and Clay counties. KMATHIS@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466

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As NextEra Energy Inc. reported its year-end earnings last week, CEO Jim Robo expressed disappointment that JEA is no longer for sale. Juno Beach-based NextEra, the parent of Florida Power & Light Co., was one of nine companies that responded last year to JEA’s invitation to negotiate before the Jacksonville utility called off plans to pursue a sale. “I would say we’re disappointed that the sale process has been terminated,” Robo said in NextEra’s quarterly conference call with analysts. “We think we could have brought enormous value to the customers and the citizens of Jacksonville, and we think it’s unfortunate that it’s been terminated. But that is what it is,” he said. FPL provides power for about 5 million customers covering most of the east coast of Florida outside of Jacksonville. A year ago, it expanded by acquiring Gulf Power Co., which serves about 460,000 customers in eight counties in Northwest Florida. Robo said NextEra is looking for more acquisition opportunities. “I don’t think there’s a utility in the country that wouldn’t benefit from the application of our playbook,” he said. “We continue to be very interested in trying to do something.” However, Robo said the company is only interested in deals that would increase earnings. “M&A is always hard and there are a lot of hurdles to get over and we will, as always,

NEXTERA ENERGY INC. CEO JIM ROBO

nology innovation,” FIS Chief Executive Gary Norcross said in a news release. FIS on Nov. 1 announced it would build a 12-story, 300,000-square-foot headquarters building near its offices on Riverside Avenue in Jacksonville. As part of the $145 million expansion project, the company said it will add 500 jobs over the next decade to bring its Jacksonville workforce to about 1,800. The company’s announcement about its commitment to Cincinnati did not say if it would add jobs there.

be extraordinarily financially disciplined,” he said. “You will never see us announce a deal that we say is strategic and has no accretion. So anything that we do will have significant accretion associated with it.” NextEra reported 2019 adjusted earnings of $8.37 a share, up from $7.70 in 2018. The company is projecting this year’s earnings to grow to between $8.70 and $9.20 a share, and 2022 earnings to reach $10 to $10.75.

FIS commits to Cincinnati Almost three months after committing to build a new headquarters in Jacksonville, Fidelity National Information Services Inc. last week committed to maintaining a strong presence in Cincinnati. The Jacksonville-based company known as FIS acquired Cincinnati-based Worldpay Inc. for $43 billion last year. FIS said Worldpay’s former headquarters in Symmes Township, Ohio, will be the company’s Strategic Technology and Innovation Campus. FIS also pledged to continue investing in an innovaNorcross tion hub at the University of Cincinnati. “Our significant presence in the Cincinnati market and the state of Ohio is integral to our long-term growth plans and goals to deepen our global leadership in financial tech-

J&J contact lens sales increase Johnson & Johnson last week said fourth-quarter sales at its Jacksonville-based eye care division grew 0.7% to $1.14 billion on the strength of its contact lens business. Contact lens sales in the quarter rose 2.2% to $833 million. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care was solely a contact lens company before expanding with the acquisition of eye care surgical products businesses three years ago. However, the surgical side of its vision care business was weak in the U.S. “due to competitive pressures and lower market growth in refractive surgery,” Chris DelOrefice, vice president of investor relations, said in Johnson & Johnson’s quarterly conference call. “Frankly, we’ve been disappointed in some of our surgical performance, particularly in the U.S. We’ve got plans in place to address that,” CEO Alex Gorsky said in the call. Gorsky said the plans include

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Ameris Bancorp expanded with several acquisitions in recent years, but CEO Palmer Proctor said last week it expects to grow this year without any more deals. “Our focus remains for the execution of our organic growth strategy without distraction of M&A at this time,” Proctor told analysts in the company’s year-end conference call Friday. Ameris reported adjusted earnings of Proctor $3.80 a share for the year, up from $3.38 in 2018. “We went through a tremendous amount of change this year, including the largest conversion and integration in our company’s history and to execute on our plan and deliver these types of financial results while having the distraction of everything that happened this year is quite an accomplishment,” Proctor said. Ameris acquired Fidelity Southern Corp. on July 1 and

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Ameris focuses on organic growth

after completing the deal, it moved its executive offices from Jacksonville to Fidelity Southern’s headquarters in Atlanta. Fidelity Southern is not related to Jacksonville-based Fidelity National Financial Inc. or FIS. Ameris reported adjusted earnings of 96 cents a share for the fourth quarter, the same as the fourth quarter of 2018 and equal to the consensus forecast of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. Although earnings met expectations, Ameris’ stock fell $1.24 to $41.59 Friday after the earnings report. While Ameris doesn’t make earnings projections, several analysts lowered their profit estimates for 2020 after hearing from management in the conference call. “Our estimate moves 8 cents lower for 2020 (to $4.10 a share) on a number of items including a lower run rate for mortgage fees and higher expenses, mostly offset by higher net interest income,” Piper Sandler analyst Casey Orr Whitman said in a research note. Despite lowering her estimate, Whitman maintained an “overweight” rating on the stock and other analysts who lowered estimates also maintained their ratings. “We believe 2020 will be a good year for Ameris as Fidelity Southern’s full EPS accretion begins (post cost saves), Ameris avoids M&A and focuses internally and as it takes market share from all the local disruption caused by M&A,” Keefe Bruyette & Woods analyst Brady Gailey said in his note. Gailey has an “outperform” rating on the stock. “Ultimately, we continue to believe the (Fidelity Southern) deal significantly enhances the Ameris franchise, and as operating leverage continues to be realized profitability should expand, ultimately driving multiple expansion toward premium levels it has historically enjoyed,” Raymond James analyst David Feaster said in his report. “As such, we continue to view risk/reward positively,” he said, with an “outperform” rating.

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CEO of the parent company of Florida Power & Light says the utility is seeking more acquisition opportunities.

“

MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“We think we could have brought enormous value to the customers and the citizens of Jacksonville.”

new products that will expand the business. “We’re confident that that’s going to lead to continued growth trends as we go through 2020 and certainly setting ourselves up for even continued growth beyond that as well,” he said. But Gorsky is happy with the contact lens business, which Johnson & Johnson has operated since acquiring a Jacksonville company called Frontier Contact Lenses in 1981. “I think what we see in vision care is fundamentally strong performance in contact lens,” he said. “You saw about 3% growth overall in our contact lens business (for the year) but what’s important to note there is we had 9% growth in the United States. So, the transition lens, the astig lens, and daily disposables continue to go well,” he said. Johnson & Johnson’s contact lenses are marketed as the Acuvue brand. Contact lens sales reached $3.4 billion worldwide in 2019. Total vision care sales were $4.6 billion, up 1.6%.

“

THE BASCH REPORT

NextEra ‘disappointed’ JEA sale halted

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Godbold

When: 10 a.m. Feb. 20 Where: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center at 1000 Water St. The converted train station opened as Jacksonville’s largest meeting venue while Godbold was mayor.

‘HE DIDN’T GIVE UP’

Decades before it was accepted as a strategy, Godbold understood that promoting the performing arts could be not only an amenity for the community, but a path to economic development. Mike Tolbert was the mayor’s aide in 1979 when Godbold decided that the fishing village near the Beaches needed some help. “Jake wanted to do something at Mayport because the shrimpers were having a hard time,” Tolbert said. Godbold at first considered a

What: Public memorial service and celebration of the life of former Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold.

gained the Southbank Riverwalk and The Jacksonville Landing Downtown. The Mayo Clinic was established in Jacksonville and corporate growth added offices in urban towers and suburban campuses.

THE ARTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

JAKE GODBOLD MEMORIAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In 1979, Frances Bartlett Kinne went from professor at Jacksonville University to its acting president and was inaugurated as its permanent president a year later. As she was building the university’s academic reputation and community stature, she got to know Godbold during her nine years as president. “One of the most important things about him was that he didn’t give up. He stuck with things and any time he got involved with a project, you knew it would be successful,” Kinne said.

File image

The poster for “Mayport and All That Jazz,” an event launched by Jake Godbold in 1979 that would eventually become the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

fishing tournament, but eventually he and Tolbert decided a music festival with a major headliner could fit the bill. “We chose jazz because it seemed to work in that environment and it crosses all demographics,” Tolbert said. While Dizzy Gillespie, Della Reese and the Buddy Rich Band were on the stage at “Mayport and All That Jazz,” there were 20 food and beverage booths at the festival to serve the thousands of people in the audience. Tolbert said half were set up by local restaurants and half were staffed by local civic and faithbased organizations. “They sold a lot of food. One of the churches raised enough money to build a sanctuary,” Tolbert said. The event has become a tradition, with the 40th annual Jack-

File image

Jake Godbold was a master of pulling people together to share a vision. “He reached out to all corners of the county,” said former Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton.

sonville Jazz Festival scheduled May 21-24 at several Downtown venues. Barbara Benisch, a nonprofit consultant now living in Asheville, North Carolina, moved from New York City in 1984 to become executive director of the Arts Assembly of Jacksonville. The organization had recently restored the Florida Theatre to its original 1920s-era glory after years of neglect. She remembers Godbold as “gracious and welcoming” and looking to the future. “Mayor Godbold saw the possibilities. He believed in the arts and saw the role they could play in the development of the city,” Benisch said. INFLUENCING HIS SUCCESSORS

After leaving office, Godbold

WANTED BUSINESS

ST RS Entrepreneurs defy conventional wisdom every day with a guts-then-glory approach to business. If this is a fit - for you or someone you know - here’s your chance. On April 9, the Jacksonville Daily Record and Jacksonville Record and Observer will recognize nine of the region’s top entrepreneurs. If you know a business owner who has built a successful enterprise from scratch; has shown consistent growth and profitability over the past three to five years; or who has overcome market and economic obstacles to achieve success, let us know. To nominate someone, please e-mail nominations@jaxdailyrecord.com with the name of the nominee, the business and a brief description of why the person is a top entrepreneur. For more information visit: JaxDailyRecord.com/topentrepreneurs

never stopped being active in community affairs. In the last weeks of his life, he was a persistent opponent of the privatization of JEA. He also made impressions on the mayors who came after him. Former Mayor John Delaney was in office when the Jaguars played their first game in 1995. Delaney said he made sure Godbold and his wife, Jean, who died in 2013, were guests in the city’s suite to witness Jacksonville history. “I think of the attitude change he brought to the city. If Jake had a choice between eating and living and Jacksonville, he’d choose Jacksonville. I think that was best symbolized by us getting an NFL team,” Delaney said. Former Mayor Tommy Hazouri, now City Council vice president, was elected to the

city’s top office in 1987 when Godbold was term-limited. He said Godbold’s dedication to developing Downtown continued as his successors took office and continues today. “He left the soul of Jacksonville for us. Jake’s epitaph will be the cranes that will be up in the next three years,” Hazouri said. “I knew Jake a long time and relied on him for counsel,” said former Mayor John Peyton. He admired Godbold’s ability to help reach diverse groups with diverse priorities reach consensus. “Jake was a master of pulling people together to share a vision. He reached out to all corners of the county. “He earned trust and faith and he never stopped advocating for Jacksonville up until his last breath,” Peyton said. MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466

2019

AWARDS GALA An Evening Honoring Excellence in the Commercial Real Estate Industry and Recognizing the Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Hobart Joost, Jr.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 GLASS FACTORY 601 Myrtle Avenue North $75 per member $95 per non-member/guest Semi-formal

Cocktail Reception 6:00-7:00 pm Awards Presentation 7:00 pm Dinner Reception & Celebration Immediately Following Open Bar

Deadline: Friday, February 21

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Registration/pay online www.naiopnefl.com To advertise in this special edition, contact Advertising Director Jay Lesowitz at 904-356-2466 or jlesowitz@jaxdailyrecord.com.

Deadline to reserve your VIP table or individual seat is Thursday, February 27th. Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

JEA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

sion, but he’s said he’s open to my input and, I’m assuming, input from other Council members as well,” Wilson said. WILL JEA’S CHARTER CHANGE?

How JEA board members are appointed could change. Council member Garrett Dennis has proposed reintroducing a bill calling for a voter referendum to give Council the authority to appoint three members to the JEA board, rather than all seven being appointed by the mayor. City Assistant General Counsel Margaret Sidman said Jan. 27 that Council members are researching changes to the JEA charter that include setting professional qualifications to serve as JEA CEO or a board member. Council member Aaron Bowman said at the Jan. 27 JEA fact-finding workshop that board members should have expertise like the city’s other independent authorities with specialties in operations, human resources, law and finance. Wilson said Council members have proposed changes to JEA’s charter to appoint one to two outside utility industry experts to the JEA board. Sidman said there are other changes the Council is considering: n Clarifying the procedure of how JEA might be sold. n Review of JEA’s outside contracts —how it hires law firms and consultants and reviewing JEA’s maximum indebtedness to outside firms. n JEA’s structure — should it remain an independent authority or revert to a department of the city.

“ Difference We Make a

“One of the main reasons I love my job is it gives me the opportunity to be out in the community and constantly meet new people. I thrive on that. I would go crazy sitting at a desk all day. “After I call on potential customers or talk to my existing customers, I always feel like I’m in the know. I’m always learning about business and what’s going on in the community.

THE INVESTIGATIONS

Wilson announced Jan. 20 he is forming a special Council committee to investigate JEA. He wants the investigation completed by June 30, when his term ends as Council president. Diamond, a former special assistant U.S. Attorney, will chair the committee. Council members Brenda Priestly Jackson and Randy DeFoor will serve on it. Both are attorneys. In a Jan. 13 email, State Attorney Melissa Nelson said she handed her investigation of JEA to federal agencies. Federal investigators could subpoena witnesses and convene a grand jury to issue indictments, but the scope of that probe is not known.

“Those are great things that make it exciting to be part of a local news media company. You really feel like you’re involved and working to make your community a better place. “We make a difference. That’s a great feeling.”

CEO SEARCH

Beth Jacobson Multimedia Advertising Executive Sarasota Observer

JEA board Chair April Green assigned the CEO search to the board’s compensation committee during the Jan. 28 board meeting.

Be a part of our success. Join the Observer Media Group’s multimedia advertising team at the Jacksonville Daily Record.

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JEA SHAKE-UP On Jan. 28, multiple events struck the city-owned utility n The city Office of General Counsel issues a 24-point report stating that city attorneys have evidence that former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn altered official documents and his actions included “willful misconduct or other misconduct, gross negligence/gross neglect of duties, and/or breach of fiduciary obligations.” n The JEA board of directors votes unanimously to fire Zahn for cause, based on the general counsel’s findings. n Zahn’s private attorney, John Mullen of Phelps Dunbar LLP, issues a statement alluding that Zahn will likely appeal the board decision to an impartial arbitrator. n JEA board Chair April Green announces her resignation. n Mayor Lenny Curry releases a statement that all six JEA board members will resign by the end of February. One position was open.

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Jon Kendrick recommended using an outside contractor to find the next CEO as opposed to handling the search internally. Kendrick told the board Jan. 28 the search itself could take five to six months, but that was with a board of directors in place. LEADERSHIP TEAM

The next CEO will rebuild the utility’s executive team. Interim CEO Melissa Dykes said she isn’t seeking the job permanently but will “provide leadership during this period of transition.” A seven-year employee, she has not said if she intends to stay at JEA. With the firing of Zahn and former CFO Ryan Wannemacher, 11 members remain of the 14-member executive leadership team. Vice President and Chief Compliance officer Ted Hobson plans to retire Feb. 28, reducing the leadership to 10.

MMENDENHALL @JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MIMENDENHALL (904) 356-2466

DEVELOPMENT TODAY These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville.

Please send resume and cover letter to: Matt Walsh 10 N. Newnan St. Jacksonville, Fla. 32202 jobs@yourobserver.com

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AMUSEMENT RECREATIONAL Meadows at Oakleaf Townhomes, 7865 Merchants Way, contractor is Bent Construction LLC, 208 square feet, new amenity building, $650,000.

OFFICE, BANK, PROFESSIONAL Aspen Dental, 9920 Southside Blvd., contractor is Paulon Construction Management Corp., 3,500 square feet, tenant build-out, $314,503.

APARTMENTS Valencia Way Apartments, 1214 Labelle St., contractor is NEI General Contracting Inc., 23 permits for apartment unit and maintenance building renovations, eight new pavilions, two mail kiosks, eight dumpster enclosures, and one gazebo, $8.76 million. Coopers Hawk Apartments, 10275 Old St. Augustine Road, contractor is Henderson Pool Service Inc., pool resurfacing and tile replacement, $56,800. St. Augustine at the Lake Apartments, 11001 Old St. Augustine Road, contractor is Henderson Pool Service Inc., pool resurfacing and tile replacement, $56,600.

RESTAURANTS Starbucks at Baymeadows, 7981 Baymeadows Circle W., contractor is Elfrink Custom Construction Inc., 2,515 square feet, new shell building, $500,000.

INDUSTRIAL Peterbrooke Chocolate Factory LLC, 2109 Forest St., contractor is Realco Recycling Co. Inc., 8,200 square feet, warehouse demolition, $25,000.

SIGNS Beauty Supply, Make Beauty Supply & Cosmetics, 9551 Baymeadows Road, No. 4, contractor is Taylor Sign & Design Inc., wall sign, $2,200. STORES, MERCANTILE SVF St. John’s Jacksonville LLC, 4413 Town Center Parkway, No. 209, contractor is Skyline Construction Inc., 4,028 square feet, alteration, $55,927. Sport Clips Haircuts, 4413 Town Center Parkway, No. 211, contractor is Skyline Construction Inc., tenant build-out, $55,927. Compiled by Scott Sailer

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

JaxDailyRecord.com

$276,586

n The average sale price was up 4% from $266,055 in 2018.

$233,990

n The median home sale price rose 5.4% from $222,000 in 2018 and 37.6% from $170,000 in 2015. n Single-family prices rose 3.4% while condominium and townhome prices rose 5.3%. n The supply of existing homes dropped to 2.6 months from 3.5 months in 2018. NEFAR said the housing inventory is considered balanced with a five- to six-month supply, or the time it would take the home inventory to sell.

0.5%

BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER

past several years, buyer demand has not waned, resulting in a record-breaking 31,881 home sales in Northeast Florida in 2019,” said Ron Harris, 2020 NEFAR president. NEFAR sees continued optimism in the residential real estate market, strengthened by a healthy economy, record low unemployment, wage growth and low mortgage interest rates.

Northeast Florida 2019 home sales and change from 2018 Duval

17,277

St. Johns

7,298

Clay Nassau Baker

4,109 7,298 223

3.9%

$200,000$299,000

Below $200,000

2,065

n Permits were up 228% from the recession low of 3,151 in 2011.

n The supply of newly constructed homes ended the year at 3.7 months, down from 4.4 months in 2018.

2,058 $300,000$499,000

Home inventory Inventory ended the year at 7,602, 17.2% lower than the inventory of 9,181 homes at the end of 2018:

n The Northeast Florida Builders Association said the number of new residential building permits issued in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties rose 4.3% to 10,345 permits in 2019 from 9,918 in 2018.

n The percentage of home sales that were new construction, up from 15.7% from 2018.

7.9%

24.9%

4.3%

16.2%

7.6%

17.5%

n The percentage increase in new listings over 2018, with the largest gain in the Green Cove Springs region, up 34%.

1,973

$1 million+

$500,000$999,000

413

1,093

Asbestos

Note: NEFAR housing data is from the Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service and covers Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. Not all Realtors in the counties are participants in the NEFMLS.

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Home sales set a record in 2019 in Northeast Florida. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors reported that 31,881 homes were sold, up 5.4% from the 30,258 homes sold in 2018. “Despite low inventory being a constant, significant factor in the housing market the

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Housing by the numbers

Record year for home sales

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

LEADERS IN THE LAW

JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

JaxDailyRecord.com

DAVID THOMPSON BY MAX MARBUT • ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer? Definitely my mother. We watched lawyer/courtroom shows on TV, which created a passion in me for the law. I was in awe of the attorneys in the courtroom figuring out “whodunit.” I knew I wanted to be a lawyer and began doing mock trials and teen court in high school. Growing up, my mother and I would get into discussions which usually ended with her saying, “You should be a lawyer.” As they say, mother knows best.

How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law? I majored in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. With my first job as an assistant state attorney my degrees allowed me to look at different aspects of why crime occurred and who committed crime. This helped me better connect with many of the victims, witnesses and even some defendants. Now, as a civil litigator, I use those same lessons when talking with parties to a case or with prospective jurors during jury selection. How did you decide your practice area? I always wanted to be a prosecutor and, luckily, I was able to do that right out of law school. However, after five years I did not feel

Trial attorney at Coker Law Age: 36

David Thompson is a trial attorney at Coker Law and vice chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association Law Week Committee.

Someone other than my spouse who inspires me: My father. My parents met in the Army and my mother retired from the military when she had me. Growing up seeing the hard work and dedication my dad had to his family, job and country was inspiring. He taught me to give 110% at anything I do and the “6 P’s” which I live by to this day: Piss-poor planning equals piss-poor performance.

DAVID THOMPSON

Attorney David Thompson started his career as a prosecutor after majoring in criminal justice in college. Special to the Daily Record

Education: University of North Florida, bachelor’s in criminal justice, 2005; Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D., 2008; University of North Florida, master’s in criminal justice, 2010 Hometown: Jacksonville (by way of New York, New York) Family: Wife, Jennifer, and children, Kayla and Dylan

I could continue to grow in that opportunity. I decided to switch to civil litigation where I could still help the community receive justice from the wrongful actions of others while growing as an attorney, learning something new each and every day. If I could change anything in the legal system, I would ... As a former homicide prosecutor, I would legalize marijuana. It is unnerving how many homicides in Jacksonville are due to marijuana deals gone wrong. If people had a legal option for obtaining it, I feel homicides in Jacksonville would drop drastically and hopefully we would no longer be the murder capital of Florida. What community service have you pursued and why that? I have joined the board of directors of Inspire to Rise Inc., a nonprofit focused on bettering the community through

strengthening the family. They provide behavioral health services, education, community service, arts programs and mentorship programs. Living in Jacksonville for more than 25 years and working in the public sector, I could see that the breakdown of the family unit was affecting our community, especially younger children. Inspire to Rise seeks to help families get back on track, which in turn helps foster a better community for us all to live in. What’s your advice for new lawyers? Join the Jacksonville Bar Association and get involved in Bar activities early on. Unfortunately, I was not given this advice when I first started and it took a few years for me to join, but I have met outstanding members of our legal community who have helped me with networking and mentorship.

Favorite book: “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas Book I’m reading now: “The Mad, the Bad and the Innocent” by Barbara Kirwin Websites or apps I can’t live without: Facebook, ESPN, Google and Waze Favorite nonwork activities: Traveling, Cooper’s Hawk, grilling out with friends

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