The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida sold its office building at 328 N. Ocean St. and other property and plans to move to a new headquarters at 800 W. Monroe St. in LaVilla within the next six months.
The organization bought the West Monroe Street property on July 7 for $4.19 million.
The seller was JWB Real Estate Capital.
On July 6, the Salvation Army sold its 23,556-square-foot office building, along with a 5,008-square-foot vacant lot on East Duval Street and a 12,045-square-foot parking lot at 39 E. Monroe St., for a total of $2.29 million to JWB Real Estate Capital.
The money from the sale was used in the purchase of the building at 800 W. Monroe St.
The decision to move was based on the need for more space and the costly upkeep of its current offices, said Maj. Keath Biggers.
“We thank God for the resources that we have to make this move from this building that has served us so well for the last 60 years,” he said.
The current offices have had heat, cooling and plumbing issues over the past few years, he said. Repairs became expensive.
There is no budget yet for the renovations at the Monroe Street location. The Salvation Army is assessing its needs.
Built in 2003, the 20,170-square-foot, two-story building is on 1.45 acres. Though smaller than the current headquarters, it is better suited for the group’s needs, Biggers said.
The 23,556-square-foot building at 328 N. Ocean St. was constructed in 1947.
The new facility will allow for more office space, storage, programming and convenience, Biggers said.
It is across the street from its Tower Center of Hope at 900 W. Adams St. There, the Salvation Army houses clients during the transitional housing process, offers other social services and has a food pantry.
“It’s a blessing to be right there next to that property instead of a half-mile away like we are now,” Biggers said.
The Salvation Army has about 30 employees working in cubicles. The new location will allow for more privacy when speaking with clients.