by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
A crowd of more than 200 people gathered on Laura Street across from City Hall Saturday morning for the formal dedication of the Jake M. Godbold City Hall Annex.
Godbold was mayor of Jacksonville from Jan. 1, 1979 to July 1, 1987. His legacy includes the Southbank Riverwalk, Metropolitan Park, the Osborn Convention Center and the Landing. During his terms in office the city’s parks were also revived and four new libraries were built.
The former Haverty’s Building is owned by the Police & Fire Pension Fund and leased to the City. The $11 million restoration project was a partnership between the City and the fund.
“The City of Jacksonville has the best relationship with the Police & Fire Pension Fund and that partnership is what allowed us to renovate this building,” said Mayor John Peyton, who recalled his time as an intern in the mayor’s office during Godbold’s adminstration.
“Jake Godbold was the first mayor who shined the spotlight on Downtown. He knew it was the heart and soul of this community,” said Peyton. “We will be reminded of his legacy every time we pass by this building.”
Godbold stepped to the podium and remarked, “This is a very special occasion for me and my family. I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to do the things I’ve done. With partnerhips you can do anything.”
Godbold then looked at the crowd of friends, family members and former co-workers and said, “This wouldn’t mean a thing to me unless all of you were here today.”
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