JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It will take months before the city reviews the deal for the new stadium, but on Tuesday, the council will discuss an ordinance to extend the city’s consultant contract for one more year.
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Jacksonville’s Downtown and Entertainment district is slowly changing but many anticipate some of the greatest changes would be along the Northbank where a Four Seasons is being built, development of the former Shipyards is being considered and the current EverBank Stadium would be renovated.
The deal for the new stadium could cost $1.4 billion but details of negotiations are top secret, that’s why rumors of a possible conflict about which surrounding communities would benefit from the stadium deal; seem to just be rumors.
News4JAX spoke with Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council President Ron Salem to get the facts.
“We are still in the process of negotiating that deal, nothing has been set in stone at this point so I don’t know where that’s coming from but I can tell you that I can’t really comment on don’t want to until we have the complete framework of the deal. Everything is still in flux, so as soon as we have a deal I’m going to be very happy to talk about it and educate the public, until then I’m not going to have much to say,” Deegan said.
Salem said discussions about the deal would be appropriate when the city council receives it.
“Well first of all, the deal is not completed so to be discussing it until the city receives it I think is getting a little bit ahead of ourselves so at this point when we get the deal, hopefully mid-May, those discussions would be appropriate then,” Salem said.
The Jaguars have been investing in the Eastside for the last couple of years. So far there’s been no confirmation of any new revitalization investment attached to the Jaguars stadium.
However, the Emerald Trail is coming to the Eastside and The Armada Soccer team has already confirmed they are committed to being a part of the improvement and support of the Eastside community.
On Tuesday, the city council will discuss Ordinance 2024-330. If approved, it extends the current contract “between the city and Michael Huyghue and Associates LLC, the consultant for the “development” and “redevelopment” of the stadium deal.
If approved, the contract would be expanded an additional year, to September 30, 2025, with the total max owed being $150,000.
Click here to see a copy of the possible agreement
The stadium deal could cost 1.4 billion but the details for how it would work won’t be clarified until mid-May. Until then there’s lots of speculation as many hope the city will get an upgraded stadium.
News4JAX reached out to the Jaguars for comment. Historically, they have not discussed the deal in depth.