Renovating the Club Levels at EverBank Field and building a new amphitheater and covered practice field next to the stadium could cost Jacksonville $45 million.
That’s the proposal that’s been filed and will soon be debated by Jacksonville’s City Council. The City would have half of the estimated $90 million tab for the full project, with the Jaguars- through owner Shad Khan- paying the balance.
GALLERY: Renderings of proposed amphitheater and practice field
The documents so far don’t include many details about the construction timeline, except that the target for substantial completion is before the 2016/17 NFL season, with the possibility to extend that to mid-2017. The new facilities would be located right next to the stadium.
The proposal would have the City borrow the money for its share. A City Spokeswoman confirms to WOKV they intend to use the bed tax- a line specifically for tourism-related items- to pay down the project. The Jags would absorb any cost overruns, while any cost savings would be split. The entities have also already filed a bid with the State to get some of that funding repaid over several decades. If that is approved, the reimbursements would also be split, but the process last year ended without any stadiums getting money.
The new facilities would be owned by the City, but leased to the Jags or an event management company of their designation for 30 years. Any non-City event hosted at the amphitheater would have the full cost assumed by the management company, which would also get the full profit. A special fund would also be set up that would collect a parking and ticket surcharge on any event at the amphitheater or practice field, and the sole use of the fund would be maintenance and repairs of those two facilities.
Documents filed with the City describe the practice field as a "flex field", which would be used for the Jaguars during bad weather or other reasons, but can also be a hospitality space, especially in conjunction with events happening in the other venues. The amphitheater is a 4,000-5,000 fixed-seat space to host concerts and other events.
Both of those features- or at least versions of them- were previously included in Khan's bid to redevelop the Jacksonville Shipyards, which is currently under negotiation. It's unclear if those features would be removed from the Shipyards concept if they get approved for the stadium space.
GALLERY: Shad Khan's vision for the Jacksonville Shipyards
In order to renovate the Club Levels, many seats would be removed in order to offer better field views from inside. The City already has to temporarily build several thousand seats each year for the annual Florida/Georgia football game, but the Jags say they will split the cost of the additional seating needed as a result of losing capacity in the Club Levels. The City would be responsible for the full cost of any needed temporary seating for other events.
GALLERY: Proposed Club Level renovations
The bill also allows for three marquees, described as “changing message devices” which would be used to advertise events happening across the Sports Complex.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement on the new proposal, saying it’s important to explore every way to strengthen the Jags’ future in Jacksonville.
“I’m sincere in my commitment to Jacksonville and am extremely optimistic that we’re moving in the right direction, on and off the field,” the statement says.
He says he looks forward to working with the City and current Administration to fully see “what Jacksonville and the Jaguars are capable of achieving”.
The bill says the City expects this package would not just enhance the stadium, but strengthen the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl’s profile and the position of Jacksonville in ongoing efforts to secure college football games- specifically playoff football- as well as other events. Further, the City believes the changes will enhance the fan experience.
City Council will spend the coming weeks debating the proposal.
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