DIA Chief says Shipyards proposal falls in line with Downtown vision

Jaguars owner Shad Khan is expected to formally present his proposal for redeveloping the Jacksonville Shipyards to the Downtown Investment Authority early next week, and the DIA CEO says he's excited to see the details.

“There’s great activity and visions for Downtown Jacksonville,” says DIA CEO Aundra Wallace.

The proposal includes residential and hotel space, retail and restaurants, public art, mixed-use space, an amphitheater, a multi-level practice field and more. Wallace says Khan and his design team actually used a DIA Downtown Feasibility study to determine what the needs were for the space and the best direction to move in.

GALLERY: Renderings from proposed Shipyards redevelopment

“They’re keeping with what we’d like to see as a very lively 24/7 Downtown,” he says.

He says, on the surface, the proposal appears to keep in line with the DIA’s vision for Downtown, and he’s intrigued by many of the elements- including the residential space.

Khan expects to formally introduce the proposal to the DIA next week. While Wallace says they will likely get the presentation at their meeting on Tuesday, they won’t be able move forward with considering that specific proposal just yet. He says they are required to solicit other bids from any other parties who may be interested in the property, and that request must be out for at least 30 days.

The DIA would then consider each proposal submitted before ultimately deciding which they favor.

Until we reach that stage, Wallace says he’s not prepared to talk about funding questions, like what he thinks the City should be open to contributing.

WOKV will continue to track this proposal as it moves forward.