JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning to celebrate the opening of its new College of Law downtown campus.
The new permanent campus is in the historic former 121 Atlantic Bank Building on Forsyth Street.
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According to The Florida Bar News, the move to a larger and permanent space had been in the plans since 2022, the same year that JU’s law school was launched.
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The new College of Law campus sits in a newly renovated 50,000-square-foot space built to accommodate the school’s planned growth.
According to a release, the City of Jacksonville invested $6.5 million into the $12 million renovation project.
“The City of Jacksonville is proud to support the new downtown campus of Jacksonville University’s law school. We congratulate them on this significant milestone for the school and for our city,” said Jacksonville Mayor, Donna Deegan. “The new law school campus is a key part of our plans to grow higher education in Jacksonville and make downtown a place where people will choose to learn, work, live, play, and visit.”
Since its opening in the VyStar Tower, the College of Law has already welcomed 86 students, along with faculty and staff.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for Jacksonville University and the city we proudly call home,” said Jacksonville University President, Tim Cost. “The opening of our College of Law in this beautifully restored, historic space is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and partners who turned vision into reality. Together, we have laid a strong foundation for a future where our law school will thrive and serve an important need in our community. I look forward to shaking hands with the College of Law’s first graduating class this spring.”
The College of Law welcomed its third incoming class earlier this month, its largest yet with 44 students. The inaugural class will graduate in the spring, according to a release.