JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Local company Latitude 30 is growing. And they now need a bigger spot for their corporate headquarters.
The company has it's eye on one of Jacksonville's most historic downtown buildings that's been sitting vacant for years: the old library.
This building is iconic. And Latitude 30 folks say the unique flair is exactly why they're considering it.
"We want to grow with Jacksonville. We want to be a part of the skyline," said Latitude 30 Chief Marketing Officer, Philip Alia.
A 90-day feasibility study is under way right now to determine if downtown's old, historic library is the right fit to become corporate headquarters for the local company expanding nationwide.
"We knew we were going to be out of space in the next few months and so we started looking for other locations," Alia said.
The company has to determine what it would cost to turn this into not just an HQ, but a smaller downtown branch of the entertainment facility. They'd have to bring it up to building code. Alia says they know there's asbestos inside, which won't be cheap to fix. But the unique structure is worth serious consideration.
"We like the exterior of the building. Its very much in line with our brand."
Alia says in order to move forward, they need the city's support. So we asked Mayor Alvin Brown if he's on board.
"It's a part of the strategy of making sure that we have a vibrant downtown," Mayor Brown said.
He says he want the city's hands in on the plans and hopes they can work together to make this win-win for everyone.
"If it works and it can bring people downtown to visit downtown to eat downtown to relocate and live downtown, that's a great thing."
Alia says they have been contacted by other cities trying to attract their corporate HQ. He says Latitude 30 wants to stay in Jacksonville. They'll know more in 90 days whether this building could be a go.
