Phil Ammann
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s Board of Governors on Friday approved a deal to consolidate the company’s information technology and other functions to the EverBank Center in downtown Jacksonville.
The planned move of the state-run insurer, scheduled for completion by the end of the year, will improve efficiencies and communication by bringing most Citizens employees together at a single site. Consolidation expects to reduce costs by up to $13.4 million over the 10-year lease.
The plan calls for transferring about 130 positions from Tallahassee and 18 from Tampa to the EverBank Center. In addition, nearly 890 employees at four existing Jacksonville offices will move to the downtown site, where Citizens will occupy about 232,000 square feet.
Citizens chose the EverBank proposal over a handful of other bids OK’d by a selection committee that offered recommendations in November. Estimated lease costs are $41.7 million over 10 years.
The Department of Management Services approved the contract.
“This move will allow us to bring our key people closer together while reducing operational costs incurred by being spread out across the state,” said Citizens President, CEO and Executive Director Barry Gilway. “Our already dedicated employees will be in an even better position to serve the people of the state.”
Once the move is completed, Citizens will maintain one location each in Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Tampa.
