Originally opening in 1962, the facility was renovated beginning in 1995 until 1997; with a grand re-opening on February 8, 1997.

Commissioned in 1955, the City of Jacksonville approved a new civic auditorium and a municipal coliseum, to help brighten the scenery around the riverfront.

At the same time, Mayor W. Haydon Burns successfully lobbied the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to move its headquarters from North Carolina to Jacksonville.

The original site of the municipal coliseum (now where the Jacksonville Landing sits) was moved further along the riverbank and opened in 1960 along with the Atlantic Coastline Building.

The Civic Auditorium was opened on September 16, 1962, with a performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

The center served as a replacement for the aging Duval County Armory and became the preferred mid-sized concert venue alongside the Florida Theatre.

[8] The Jim & Jan Moran Theater is a theatre and main performance venue of the center.

Since 2006, the Jim & Jan Moran Theatre has been the home of Extraganza, an annual talent showcase by the students of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

It is known as a pure concert hall, providing an intimate setting with no stage curtains, orchestra pit, fly space or backstage wings.