Proposed improvements to EverBank Stadium continue taking steps toward the estimated more than $1 billion project.
Jacksonville-based civil engineer England, Thims & Miller Inc. filed a pre-application with the St. Johns River Water Management District on March 8 for an environmental resource permit.
The project description is:
“Proposed stadium improvements, including landscape, redesigned pedestrian walkways, stadium structure, and parking.”
The project name is Downtown Development Area Master Permit.
According to the water management district, “pre-application discussions are encouraged to facilitate design collaboration, thereby streamlining the permitting process.”
The district shows the pre-application as pending.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and the city are working toward negotiations for the “Stadium of the Future,” which is the renovated EverBank Stadium.
Competitive selection
The Jaguars posted notice of competitive selection of at least seven companies that responded to bids for work on the project:
Pre-construction services to AECOM Hunt + Barton Malow; geotechnical services to Langan; architect of record services to HOK; surveying to ETM Surveying & Mapping; first-phase environmental services to Terracon Consultants; technology services to ME Engineers; and project management services to ImpactDM.
The Jaguars created the 1stdowntownjacksonville.com site “as a platform to inform the community about our development plans, specifically the Jacksonville Shipyards, the Stadium of the Future and our ongoing community investments.”
The site explains that the Jaguars’ current stadium lease with the city runs through the 2029 NFL season.
“Crucial to a long-term lease extension is first determining the future of the city-owned stadium,” it says.
“The good news is we have begun that process with the city and other local stakeholders to identify a Stadium of the Future solution that will support NFL football in Northeast Florida for generations to come,” it says.
“In fact, this process has already allowed us to conclude that a renovation of TIAA Bank Field, rather than construction of a new stadium, is possible and the preferred path to the Stadium of the Future.”
The site says that for the Stadium of the Future, the Jaguars engaged eight sports architecture firms beginning in December 2021 to provide conceptual visions and chose HOK as its design partner.
Mayor Donna Deegan said Feb. 8 that her administration is on track to deliver the framework of a deal to renovate EverBank Stadium to the Jacksonville City Council by April or May.
Speaking to reporters, Deegan said the current discussion includes both the city-owned stadium overhaul and construction of an adjacent dining and entertainment center.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have requested the city provide 50% of the costs of the “Stadium of the Future” and surrounding district, which together would cost an estimated $2.068 billion.
“I want to do whatever is the best deal for the taxpayers, and that may be doing something larger (than just the stadium), but I don’t know yet. We’re in the process of those talks,” she said.
A made-over EverBank Stadium would be downsized from 67,814 to 62,000 seats, with expansion capability up to 71,500 for college football games and concerts. The capacity can be expanded to more than 80,000.
New features would include a mirrored facade, a see-through shading membrane on the roof that would protect all seating areas from direct sunlight and rain, a wraparound concourse and lookout decks offering views of the Downtown skyline and St. Johns River.
Deegan said that once the framework is finalized, she plans to schedule public meetings for citizen input.
“I think it’s going to be important to try to come up with a framework by April or May and try to bring that in for a landing before the fall,” she said.
“The longer these things drag out, normally the more expensive they get and the more they go off the rails. And so I would really like to come to an agreement that everybody can feel good about and that we can move forward with sooner rather than later. And I think Council feels the same way.”
More invitations to bid
The Jaguars have issued more invitations to bid for work on the Stadium of the Future. All aspects of the project are subject to agreement on a lease amendment between the city and Jaguars.
Bids are due at noon April 8 to Jacksonville Jaguars LLC at One Everbank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
The contact is Evan Yates at [email protected].
The scope of work is the procurement of the services for the development activities of the renovation project.
Bidding firms must be actively licensed by the state of Florida to perform the services defined.
Jacksonville Jaguars LLC is seeking bids for:
• Security design consulting services. An optional virtual pre-bid conference is 1:30 p.m. March 14.
• Third-party structural peer review services. An optional virtual pre-bid conference is 2 p.m. March 14.
• Building enclosure consulting services. An optional virtual pre-bid conference is 10 a.m. March 15.