JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New details are coming to light about the failed sale of the Duval County Public Schools headquarters, as the district faces a potential legal battle with the developer that once planned to buy the property.
Wednesday marked the deadline for potential buyers to submit bids on the Southbank building. But as the district looks for a new deal, Action News Jax has learned the original buyer is now threatening a lawsuit and the district is pushing back.
Action News Jax obtained a three page notice of default and formal demand letter sent by Chase Properties, dated just five days after the developer backed out of its 17.2 million dollar agreement to purchase the headquarters.
In the letter, Chase Properties accuses the district of failing to disclose what it calls a major financial burden tied to the property. The developer claims part of the land is connected to a Community Development District, which it argues significantly reduces the property’s value.
Chase also alleges the district failed to provide key documents in a timely manner and shared inaccurate appraisals during the process. The developer is now demanding reimbursement for inspection costs and legal fees.
Ten days later, the Office of General Counsel formally rejected those claims.
In its response, Duval County Public Schools argues it was not required to remove the property from the Community Development District and denies withholding information, stating that the full file was made available. The district also says the appraisals in question were provided only as a courtesy and were not part of the purchase agreement.
The back and forth is now raising concerns about transparency.
During a recent board workshop meeting, School Board Member Reginald Blount said the district had not clearly explained to the public why the deal collapsed.
“I don’t think we have ever really explained to the public what happened with the collapse of the sale of this building,” Blount said, questioning what went wrong and what safeguards are now in place.
Board Chair Charlotte Joyce pushed back on that claim, saying she believed the legal dispute had already been made public through news coverage.
However, when asked which outlet reported that the deal is now being litigated, Joyce said she could not recall. Action News Jax had not previously reported on the legal dispute and only learned about it during that same workshop meeting.
The district has said it cannot comment further on the matter because it is now in litigation. Action News Jax also reached out to Blount for additional comment but did not hear back.
As Duval County Public Schools works to sell the property again, the failed deal and looming legal fight are raising new questions about transparency and how future agreements will be handled.
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