Moving 1,600 new people into the neighborhood is quite a task, but it’s much easier when everyone works together.
That was the plan for welcoming EverBank employees to their new offices Downtown at 301 W. Bay St., said Pam Smith, representative for El Ad Florida LLC, owner of EverBank Center, formerly AT&T Tower.
The first 200 employees arrived this week, with another 300 scheduled to move in Monday.
EverBank is relocating department by department, with 200-300 additional staff members scheduled to move from the suburbs each week.
“It has been very strategic,” Smith said.
As soon as the online financial services firm signed its lease, planning began to make the move as smooth as possible.
“We formed the ‘Welcome to Downtown, EverBank Committee’ to come up with ways to help the employees become comfortable,” Smith said.
In addition to Smith, the committee comprised representatives from Downtown Vision Inc., the Downtown Ambassadors, parking providers, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Downtown merchants.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Science & History and The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens planned weekend programs dedicated to EverBank employees. Several restaurants are extending discounts and special offers, Smith said.
“Everybody is excited and committed to making the move a success,” she said.
Downtown Ambassadors will be stationed at the nearby parking garages Monday and Tuesday to provide directions to EverBank Center until the phased arrival is complete in July.
Ambassadors also are distributing Downtown maps and other information in the building’s lobby three days each week.
“We tried not to leave out anything. We had the opportunity to do it right, and I think we did,” said Smith.
After all of the EverBank employees are in place in the building, the next step will be to renovate the dining amenity on the second floor.
Smith said Jacksonville’s first Nature’s Table restaurant should open in September.
Until then, the tower’s new tenants are exploring the area around their building.
“Everyone says they love the views from their offices and they enjoy going out for lunch. Now it’s up to them to get out there and enjoy everything Downtown has to offer,” Smith said.
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