Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Thursday he is interested in developing the vacant Shipyards property, which is near EverBank Field and is the most visible open space along the St. Johns River on Downtown's Northbank.
"I think it can be greatly enhanced" to bring economic vibrancy to Downtown, he said.
Khan said his organization is talking with the City, which owns the 40-acre property. He did not specify the details of those talks.
Asked if he had ideas for the property, he said, "lots of ideas. Hundreds of ideas."
"It has to be a destination," he said. "It's Downtown 101."
Khan said people come Downtown to work and then leave. He wants to change that.
Khan spoke with reporters Thursday after he accepted the 15th Annual Thompson S. Baker "Solid as a Rock" Award at the Junior Achievement of North Florida Hall of Fame event at EverBank Field.
Khan did not talk about his interest in the Shipyards in his remarks when he received the award.
In speaking with reporters, he didn't delve into details about the property or any plans, but said the property is "something we can really make a difference" in.
"That is the face," he said, calling it a "very, very high-profile" property.
He declined to talk further about the talks with the City, saying the conversations are pending.
David DeCamp, director of communications for Mayor Alvin Brown, acknowledged Khan's interest.
"Shad Khan has expressed interest in developing the Shipyards property. The discussion was preliminary," DeCamp said.
"Any disposition of City-owned land will follow the City of Jacksonville disposition process. We are very focused on activating the resident and fan experience on our waterfront," he said.
"The Jaguars are an important part of the city's economy and brand, and we look forward to hearing more about this concept as their plans develop," DeCamp said.
The Shipyards property is vacant land stretching from The Plaza at Berkman, which is near the old county courthouse property, to Metropolitan Park and the sports complex.
Late Thursday, Khan issued a statement about his interest in the Shipyards:
"I've said all along, Jacksonville has great potential. Developing the north bank of the riverfront would go a long way toward achieving our potential. The shipyards are the front door to our home, EverBank Field, as well as the entire Sports Complex," said the statement.
"A new life for the Shipyards would be good news for the Jaguars, EverBank Field, the Sports Complex and all of Downtown Jacksonville."
Several developers unsuccessfully attempted residential, office and retail projects on the site since it closed as a working shipyard. The City ended up owning the property after failed attempts by developers.
The Jacksonville Civic Council Northbank Redevelopment Task Force's February 2011 report referred to the Shipyards property as a potential "magnificent mixed-use urban fabric extending from the central business district, along the river, to the sports complex."
Khan has made inroads into Downtown investment already. In April, his Stache Investments Corp. financed the acquisition by a private group of the Laura Street Trio and the old Barnett Bank Building Downtown.
He said that deal was one of many investments and initiatives he supports in the community, including his pledge to meet with selected creators in the One Spark festival and possibly invest.
"I think for me, it's really about committing to a community," Khan said.
Khan said he supports growth in the community, including investments in local business, but prefers to do some of it quietly.
"There are many touch points to make a difference," he said.
Khan, president and owner of Flex-N-Gate Corp., bought the Jaguars in January 2012. He paid $770 million to buy the franchise from Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver and their ownership group.
Khan said at the Junior Achievement event there would be announcements in the next week or two about initiatives regarding the Jaguars that had national and international impacts.
Regarding Tim Tebow, who signed this week with the New England Patriots, Khan said he was happy for him.
"I am delighted for Tim. He's a great player and it's a great situation," he said.
Tebow is the hometown quarterback who played at Nease High School, the University of Florida, the Denver Broncos and then the New York Jets, which released him in April.
Vocal Tebow fans wanted the Jaguars to sign him, but Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell has said he "can't imagine a scenario" where Tebow would be a Jacksonville Jaguar.
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