City Council President Ron Salem says he is hoping the framework for a deal to upgrade the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium will be in the Council’s hands by mid-May and that full Council meetings on the deal can begin in early June.
At the April 23 Council meeting, Salem said he and Mayor Donna Deegan’s office plan to hold five or six community meetings to gather public input on the stadium deal once it is delivered. He expects those meetings to take two weeks, during which time the Council’s auditors and its independent attorney will review the terms of the deal.
The Jaguars unveiled plans for their “Stadium of the Future” in mid-2023. The project would transform EverBank Stadium with new features such as a roof membrane that protects seating areas from sun and rain, a mirrored exterior surface and a wraparound concourse.
The team has estimated the cost of the stadium improvements at $1.4 billion, which it hopes to split with the city.
The Jaguars initially requested that the city pay for both the renovations and a surrounding dining and entertainment district. City officials have said the district is no longer part of the negotiations.