The city is reviewing a building permit application for the largest $696.5 million portion of the $1.4 billion “Stadium of the Future” renovation of EverBank Stadium, expected to be completed in 2028.
The application, submitted Oct. 6, is for package IFC #4 that involves eight levels and 652,735 square feet at the stadium at 1 EverBank Stadium Drive in Downtown Jacksonville.
City records show that permits totaling almost $640.14 million have been issued since Dec. 10, 2024, when the foundation was approved.
Adding in the permit in review, the project costs total more than $1.3 billion.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are closing out the bids on the plan to renovate the 30-year-old stadium in Downtown Jacksonville.
“It is the final package and in terms of number of items covered, it is the largest to date,” said Jaguars Communications Director Lyndsay Rossman on Sept. 18.
“Our final and largest construction bid package is now open for the Stadium of the Future,” the NFL team posted on LinkedIn about IFC #4.
The permit application was submitted Oct. 6.
The project scope includes:
• New field level club spaces.
• Additional private suites.
• New mechanical, electrical, lighting and fire alarm systems.
• New low-voltage systems including converged building network, Wi-Fi and DAS (distributed antenna system).
• Renovated restrooms and concessions throughout.
• Renovated miscellaneous back-of-house and front-of-house spaces throughout.
Construction to date
Construction is ongoing at EverBank Stadium as the Jaguars continue to play.
The team’s timeline called for the stadium construction to begin in February 2025. The foundation permit was issued Dec. 10, 2024 with more work starting in February.
The Jaguars are playing at the stadium during the 2025 NFL season with a slightly reduced capacity, then will return to EverBank in 2026 with a stadium capacity of about 43,500.
In 2027, the Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando or Gainesville, but with the possibility of playing in London on three of their home game dates.
The renovated stadium would open in August 2028.
The last invitation to bid went live Sept. 18 at https://www.jaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture/employment
Requests for pre-qualification and bidding documents are available by emailing [email protected].
All pre-bid meetings are scheduled at 3 p.m. at EverBank Stadium Upper West Club at 1 EverBank Stadium Drive in Downtown Jacksonville.
The Invitations to Bid
The Hunt Construction - Barton Malow joint venture posted that it will receive bids for Packages IFC #4A, #4B, #4C and #4D.
IFC is Issuance for Construction, basically the designs, drawings or documents for the services/scopes.
The scopes of the specific portions of IFC #4 generally include:
• IFC 4A: Miscellaneous metals, metal wall panels, roofing, spray-applied fireproofing and insulation, doors/frames/hardware, curtain wall systems, interior glazing and mirrors, drywall partitions and ceilings, rough carpentry, fire-stopping, joint sealants, wall and door protection.
The pre-bid meeting is scheduled Oct. 21.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
• IFC 4B: Ornamental metals, architectural woodwork, code and wayfinding signage, food service equipment, LED displays, ADA lifts and video production.
The pre-bid meeting is scheduled Oct. 28.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 18.
• IFC 4C: Ceramic tile, carpeting, paint and wall coverings, toilet partitions, operable partitions, toilet and building accessories, fire extinguishers and cabinets, and lockers.
The pre-bid meeting is Nov. 14.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 25.
• IFC 4D: Gate/entry canopies, athletic equipment site preparation (phase 2), asphalt paving, hardscape, playing surfaces, site improvements, landscape and irrigation.
The pre-bid meeting is Nov. 11.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. Dec. 2.
The project so far
The city issued what was then the biggest permit for the transformation Sept. 11 at a project cost of $532.14 million for the “SOTF Stadium of the Future - IFC 3 Permit.”
Rossman said by email Sept. 11 that the work included in the issued permit is for IFC 3 packages A-C and will begin after the season is over without affecting game-day activities this season.
“As construction is ongoing throughout the season, we have been actively communicating any changes to how ticket holders experience game day, including to parking, ingress/egress and movement within the stadium as necessary through email, push notifications, on our website (jaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture) and media briefings to our sports journalists to ensure those attending the upcoming game will be informed ahead of their arrival,” she said.
On Oct. 3, team and city officials held a media event marking the completion of a new staircase at EverBank Stadium’s Gate 1. It is the first of four grand staircases around the stadium, each with an escalator alongside it. Gate 1 is at the southwest corner of EverBank near Lot J and Daily’s Place.
Jaguars President Mark Lamping said stadium renovations are still in the first stage. Most of what has been done has been utility and subsurface work that wouldn’t be readily visible.
“To put it in perspective, as of now, we’ve completed approximately 5% of the work necessary to complete the project,” Lamping said.
The stairs’ construction allows the Jaguars to consolidate its gates around Lot J. Lamping said that with the wider stairs installed, the team will open a “super gate” that would make accessing the fan entertainment zone easier.
Construction crews will soon begin tearing down stadium stairways and ramps. Those will be replaced by more grand staircases and escalators, and the stadium’s concourse – which has already been widened – will continue to expand.
After that, columns supporting the stadium’s roof will begin to circle the stadium.
The legislation
The NFL owners’ group gave final approval Oct. 15, 2024, to the Jaguars’ deal with the city.
The Jaguars lease the stadium from the city, which owns it.
The owners’ vote allowed the team to proceed toward remaking EverBank Stadium by the 2028 season with such features as a partial roof cover, expanded and elevated concourses, a park-like entrance, corner openings to improve airflow and a reflective outer coating designed to reduce interior heat.
Jacksonville City Council finalized a deal June 25, 2024, to modernize the stadium and keep the team in it for 30 years.
Contained in Ordinance 2024-0904, the deal includes $775 million in public funding from the city of Jacksonville and $625 million from the team.
The $1.45 billion package of legislation included funding for the stadium’s makeover, the 30-year lease, a nonrelocation agreement and $56 million in spending on riverfront parks and the stadium-adjacent flex field.