Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan issued a statement Wednesday to clarify reports about his potential interest in four vacant Downtown buildings.
“I am not engaged in any effort to purchase the Barnett Bank Building and the Laura Street Trio. I’m not a developer. But as someone who is committed to Jacksonville, I am interested in the promise of these properties and to the success of the Downtown revitalization efforts currently under way,” Khan said in the statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
“To that end, I have offered lending assistance to a developer recommended by the Jacksonville Civic Council and the Jacksonville Chamber. If this developer’s bid is successful, then I will be proud to make a business loan contingent upon a substantial historic properties grant to the developer from the City of Jacksonville,” he said.
“If another developer is successful in a bid for the property, and intends to develop the properties in line with the city’s vision for Downtown — including trying to preserve these historical buildings — I will wish that company all the best,” he said.
“In the end, I just want what’s best for the community. A revitalized Downtown is important to our quality of life and our efforts to market Jacksonville and the Jaguars to the world,” his statement concluded.
Spokesman Jim Woodcock said that was all Khan had to say on the matter.
The statement resulted from reports from JAX Chamber executives that Khan has offered investment assistance to help preserve the Laura Street Trio buildings, but not to develop them.
The Trio comprise the Florida Life Building, Bisbee Building and the Marble Bank Building. The old Barnett Bank Building is near them.
The structures have been of interest to developers for years but have not been redeveloped.