The following is a Downtown Vision, Inc. guest blog post as part of our sponsor series. To learn how you can become a DVI sponsor and tell your Downtown story, visit our sponsorship webpage.
Tell us about EverBank. What are your goals? Where have you been and where are you headed?
EverBank truly is a great Jacksonville success story. Our company traces its roots back to the 1960s in this city, and we believe today we’re creating a new type of financial services company – one with a unique business model designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of individual and business clients across the country. And we’re doing this in a city that has a very long and rich history in financial services and a very bright future. Our success has been – and continues to be – fueled by organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We have clients and offices around the country, with a large concentration in the nation’s top metro markets. EverBank is poised for great things in the years ahead. And we’re going to continue to do great things here in Downtown Jacksonville.
Why does the success of Downtown matter to your company?
We strongly believe that a vibrant, vital Downtown is absolutely essential to the success of any city, and we hope that our presence in the Downtown core and Brooklyn is seen by other businesses as a big vote of confidence in Jacksonville and that other companies will follow us.
Why did you want that Downtown address on your business card?
We believe being located Downtown has been a competitive advantage for us. We’ve enjoyed a highly pro-business climate, and the location is perfect for our needs. Our associates tell us they love being Downtown. They enjoy being able to walk from our building to nearby shops and restaurants – something they couldn’t do in our suburban location. They also enjoy being close to the river and cultural attractions Downtown. We hope that our being Downtown will be a catalyst for more retail and dining.
What would you tell other company leaders about investing in Downtown?
Great things are possible for Jacksonville when forward-looking companies and the City work closely together creatively to foster development and make our Downtown area even better.
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change about Downtown?
The first thing that comes to mind is mass-transit convenience. I think one of the biggest barriers to mass-transit ridership comes down to simple questions about convenience: is it easy for me to get on and off the system, and does mass transit take me where I need to go quickly and easily without a lot of transfers and waiting?
What’s one take-away from another downtown that we can learn from?
Using successful transit systems across the nation, such as that in New York City, as our model, I have no doubt Downtown can become accessible to all.
Complete the thought: In 5-10 years, Downtown will ____________________.
Be a destination for more businesses that will stir the Jacksonville economy and become anchors for Downtown, creating jobs and spurring growth here and across the country.
Any final thoughts?
EverBank is fully dedicated to supporting economic development in Downtown Jacksonville. We absolutely believe that being located in the city of Jacksonville is a win-win for everyone at EverBank, and we plan to continue investing in Jacksonville.