March 4, 2010 - Pension Fund Receives Another Award - The Jake M. Godbold City Hall Annex Cited as 'Historic Rehabilitation Project of the Year' by NAIOP.


The Northeast Florida Chapter of the National Association of Industrial Office Products (NAIOP) held their Annual Awards Celebration and Dinner 'Recognizing Excellence in Commercial Real Estate Development during 2009 in Jacksonville'. Numerous business and community leaders were in attendance.

Deputy Executive Director Dick Cohee, attended the event representing the Board and Members of the Police and Fire Pension Fund. During the presentations, Ron Barton, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) called Dick forward to accept on behalf of the Fund the Award for 'Historic Rehabilitation Project of the Year' for the Jake M. Godbold City Hall Annex.

The Jake M. Godbold City Hall Annex was designed by famous architect Henry Klutho, shortly after the 'Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901'. Over the years, the building has housed numerous tenants. The exterior of the building was restored to the original design. The interior systems are 'energy efficient' and the designation of the first rehabilitated building in downtown Jacksonville to be designated a 'green building'.

Current Mayor John Peyton said the idea of continuing to slowly move City offices and employees closer to City Hall is actually the culmination of a plan created years ago by former Mayor Ed Austin. 'Building the critical mass of government in the core of downtown is key to revitalization', said Mayor Peyton adding that having so many more City employees in downtown will be great for area merchants.

The City is also in the process of rehabilitating the former Ed Ball Building on Hogan Street to consolidate even more government offices near CitiCenter at Hemming Plaza.

'This outstanding project is another excellent example of partnership for progress that the Pension Fund has undertaken with the City in the last five years' said John Keane, Executive Director - Administrator of the Fund.

(L-R) Ron Barton, Executive Director of JEDC presenting the award to Dick Cohee, Deputy Executive Director of the Police and Fire Pension Fund along with Erik Sharpe, President of the North East Florida Chapter of NAIOP.

Also honored during the program was former Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin (R), who received the prestigious Jesse B. Smith Community Service Award.

During the administration of Mayor Austin, the former Cohen's Department Store at Hemming Plaza was renovated, beginning the program of consolidating governmental offices in central downtown Jacksonville.

(L-R) Dick Cohee, Deputy Executive Director of the Police and Fire Pension Fund with John Fischer with Danis. During the construction of the Godbold building, Danis served as Construction Manager for the Pension Fund.