by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission vacates its space on the 14th floor of the City Hall Annex on Bay Street next week, it will mark the first time a city department hasn’t been been located in the building since it was dedicated in 1960.
Mayor John Peyton invited his predecessors to join him in their former office suite Wednesday for an informal reunion at the office they called home while they were the City’s chief executive.
Peyton recalled the time he spent on the 14th floor when he was an intern in 1986. He said he’s sure it led him toward politics and public service.
“That’s when I got the bug,” said Peyton.
When asked what he considers the most memorable event that occurred while he was mayor, Ed Austin said when the Jaguars walked away from negotiations at the conference table and then returned to strike the deal that made Jacksonville an NFL city.
“Having the Jaguars has changed Jacksonville’s attitude,” he said. “Now there’s a sense of community pride we never had before.”
Hans Tanzler also remembered an historic event that happened on the 14th floor years ago.
“It was a day I handed down an edict that rumbled throughout City government. I told all the department heads: no more two-martini lunches. If you do it, find another job.”
The State Attorney’s Office will move into the suite and will remain there until space is available in the new County Courthouse.
The JEDC will move into temporary quarters at the Police & Fire Pension Building on Adams Street until renovations at the Haverty’s Building / City Hall Annex at Hemming Plaza are complete.