Same show. Much more laughter and applause.
A night after giving the Jacksonville City Council an overview of the proposed agreement between the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars to build the team’s “Stadium of the Future,” Mayor Donna Deegan again teamed with Jaguars President Mark Lamping and city negotiator Mike Weinstein to offer the presentation May 15.
In the proposed deal, the city would contribute $775 million in public funding to upgrade and modernize EverBank Stadium to meet the Jaguars’ conceptual design. The city’s contribution includes $150 million for deferred maintenance and capital projects. The Jaguars would put up $625 million, matching the city on the $1.25 billion construction cost.
This time, the backdrop was not the somber Council chambers but rather the auditorium of Mandarin High School, where about 250 people gathered for the first of five scheduled community events to discuss the deal.
The audience, many wearing the team’s teal-and-black fan apparel, applauded and laughed several times as the presentation played out.
The three presenters appeared relaxed, joking with each other and making light of occasional technical problems with the slide deck.
“Are we rebooting, or are you just trying to make me look bad?” Lamping asked a backstage assistant. He later told the crowd he would “give you my comedy routine” if the technical issues continued.
In several moments, the crowd’s sentiment about the agreement seemed positive. For example, when Lamping began by saying “If this goes through …,” attendees clapped when Deegan broke in to say, “When, when this goes through.”
Not all are sold
Not everyone was sold, including a participant who suggested the deal should be put to a public vote.
Deegan rebuffed the idea, saying, “I believe the referendum was my election back in May.” Her remark drew applause.
She added that, “If we start putting every leadership decision to referendum, we’re not going to get very many things done in this city.”
Several audience members made favorable comments about the project.
Other participants in the community “huddle,” as the meetings are known, asked whether anything was being done to relieve traffic congestion around the stadium, whether the project would live up to its renderings and whether the Jaguars were planning to raise revenue through personal seat licenses.
Lamping said the renderings’ design would be codified in the agreement and offered a one-word answer on seat licenses.
“No.”
One resident’s concerns
Brian Hamm, who lives on Albert Street just north of the stadium property, expressed concern that development of the stadium and a proposed soccer stadium in the Sports and Entertainment District could push him out of his home.
“The stadium looks good. I think it would be a good thing for the city of Jacksonville,” he said in an interview after the meeting. “I’m just concerned for me and my neighbors.”
Hamm, who owns his home, said he wasn’t sure where he would turn if he had to uproot.
“It’s not too many other places in Jacksonville where I can pay 60 grand for a house,” he said.
The public meetings are occurring as the Council begins to examine the deal, which comprises a 30-year lease and six other agreements on parking, construction, community benefits and more.
Council members Michael Boylan and Jimmy Peluso were in the audience at the community event.
With Council approval needed for public funding on the project, Council President Ron Salem has scheduled time on Wednesdays through Fridays for discussions on the agreements as they’re delivered.
He is seeking a vote June 25 but told members that he would not call for one until all of their questions about the deal were answered.
Future community meetings
The community meetings on the stadium agreement are 6-7:30 p.m. Admission is free and no registration is required.
May 16 at Legends Center, 5130 Soutel Drive.
May 20 at Fletcher High School, 700 Seagate Ave., Neptune Beach.
May 29 at Sandalwood High School, 2750 John Promenade Blvd.
May 30 at Westside High School, 5530 Firestone Road.