Jags explore mixed-use entertainment complex for Lot J

Jacksonville, FL — Negotiations to redevelop the Jacksonville Shipyards are ongoing, but it looks like the Jacksonville Jaguars may not want to wait to continue upgrading the area.

Jags President Mark Lamping confirms they are exploring the potential development of Lot J at EverBank Field to create a “mixed-use entertainment complex”. This is the parking lot along Gator Bowl Blvd, next to Daily’s Place, on the southwest corner of the stadium.

“There is endless potential in downtown Jacksonville, and the Jaguars and Iguana Investments, along with the City of Jacksonville, are fully committed to exploring all opportunities that would create a vibrant sports and entertainment complex, 365 days a year,” Lamping says.

More than nine months ago, Jaguars owner Shad Khan's Iguana Investments pitched a proposal for the Shipyards that was selected over two other bids. The details are still being hammered out, and face multiple layers of approval before ground would break. It's actually the second round of negotiations for Khan and Jacksonville's Downtown Investment Authority, with the prior one going on for a year and a half before the DIA ended it and solicited new bids that incorporated more of the Riverfront- although Khan submitted another bid and won the right to negotiate for a second time.

Through this process, concepts from Khan’s proposal have been pulled out and constructed, including Daily’s Place- an amphitheater and flex field now adjoining the stadium. The Shipyards proposal also calls for a signature hotel, retail, restaurants, park space, and a continuous Riverwalk, among other things.

GALLERY: Shad Khan's plan for the Jacksonville Shipyards

With Lot J, Lamping says they’re still very early in the process, including putting together design concepts, and conducting site surveys and environmental testing. There’s no timeline at this point, but Lamping says they don’t anticipate any changes for Jags game day parking this fall.

The Shipyards and area around EverBank Field were a focus of Jacksonville's recent bid for Amazon's HQ2, although that bid ultimately fell short. It's a key property in Jacksonville's ongoing push to redevelop Downtown, which includes other visions like demolishing the old county courthouse- potentially to construct a new Convention Center- and removing the Hart Bridge ramps. Still other major projects are already underway further from the River, including the Laura Street Trio.