A capital improvement for the city, a new Downtown entertainment venue for the community and a revenue source for Friends of Hemming Park.
That’s the concept behind a proposal to construct a permanent stage at Hemming Park, said Vince Cavin, CEO of the nonprofit contracted by the city to manage the 1-square-block space adjacent to City Hall.
The group plans to build the stage using the additional $250,000 approved in the 2015-16 general fund budget for the Friends’ operations.
The contract called for $1 million from the city for the group’s first 18 months of management and programming.
The additional funds were approved to bridge the gap from the end of funding Feb. 29 to the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30.
Cavin said Tuesday the Friends would recoup the $250,000 through a five-year, $50,000-per-year naming rights agreement for the stage with Community First Credit Union, which would pay the entire amount up front.
He said the credit union is ready to make the payment “as soon as the legislation is approved,” referring to Ordinance 2016-198, which would transfer $250,000 from the city to the Friends.
The bill, introduced by council members Bill Gulliford and Reggie Gaffney, was referred back to the Finance Committee at a special meeting March 28 and again Monday.
The stage would be constructed above the existing platform on the west side of the park, near the Skyway platform.
Cavin said the 40-foot wide stage will be covered and equipped with a small lighting and sound system with provisions for larger lights and speakers.
In addition to improving the entertainment experience for regular monthly events, such as Art Walk and Jaxsons Night Market, the stage would allow the Friends to charge rent for the park and derive revenue from concession sales.
The Friends tried the concert concept in March when the park hosted the band Strand of Oaks in cooperation with a local music promoter.
Cavin said based on that test, the Friends are confident presenting smaller touring acts in a concert series could be a revenue stream for the organization.
“We can put 5,000 people in the park when we close off the streets,” Cavin said.
Additional uses could include recitals and other entertainment presented by groups that would rent the park.
Cavin said he is working with the city on an agreement that would allow use of the stage at no cost for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and up to three other events annually.
Assuming council approves the transfer of the funds, construction of the stage could begin in June and be completed by September, in time for the annual Oktoberfest Art Walk.
“It can be a new focal point for Downtown,” said Sarah Collins, Friends’ marketing director.
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