A.G. Gancarski
The Jacksonville Jaguars made news with an audacious proposal to have the city pay more than a billion dollars to renovate the stadium and revive the district around it.
But during a radio interview, Mayor Donna Deegan suggested there will be amelioration between the proposal reported first by Florida Politics this summer and the final product, which she expects to be ready sometime early next year.
“We’re only just now getting to the point where we’re talking through revenue sources and what each of us may be responsible for. I really think that we have a great negotiating team in place, and I believe that the Jaguars are very open to working with us as well,” Deegan said on WJCT’s “First Coast Connect.”
“I know a lot of people have said the Jaguars are going to say ‘My way or the highway.’ I really believe when we get to the end of this agreement, we are going to see a great community benefit in what we are doing with them. I believe we will get to that agreement,” Deegan added. “Our hope is to get there at least in structure sometime in the Spring and I think we’re on track to do that right now.”
The Jaguars and the Shahid Khan vehicle “Iguana Investments” originally envisioned a total investment that could cost as much as $2.068 billion, a number that could include stadium improvements costing between $1.2 and $1.4 billion, as well as between $550 and $668 million for development of a “sports district.” That sports district essentially could be a reboot of the Lot J concept rebuffed by the City Council earlier this decade.
The proposal contemplated a 50-50 cost share between the city and the team, with the city obligated to two-thirds of the stadium improvement costs.
5 comments
MH/Duuuval
December 13, 2023 at 11:11 am
The Jags don’t have much fiscal credibility at this point as a consequence of the news of their getting bilked by a former employee for over $20 million.
No way taxpayers should pay more than 50 percent for a facility — and even then it should be a new one so as not to interfere with home games.
IMHO, even that amount’s not a good investment except for a segment of the population. In reality, taxpayers are underwriting a private venture — socialism.
not very smart Deegan
December 15, 2023 at 5:18 am
Deegan will give in to Shad “the con” proposals. The sports district is another Lot J deal, which she wants.. Deegan is not very smart. just sell the stadium to Khan the con, and let him pay for all the upgrades
Margaret
December 17, 2023 at 12:20 pm
The amount(percentage) of money taxpayers pay into the Jaguars’ new stadium should be proportional to the numbers of people who attend the games.
Not everyone worships at the altar of football.
the Truth
December 17, 2023 at 11:40 pm
the Jaguars lose again, three in a row, if they lose next week to Tampa Bay, who knows, they might not even make the playoffs, I wonder if the taxpayers will want to spend a billion dollars of their money for a new stadium “edifice” to Khan the con’s massive ego, don’t think so
Seber Newsome III
December 25, 2023 at 7:16 am
well, the jaguars lose again, do the people still want to hand over a billion dollars to Shad the Con, to build. massive edifice to. his massive ego??? if they lose one of the next two games, they won’t even make the playoffs
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