Tag: Donna Deegan

Jaguars ‘Stadium of the Future’ deal passes City Council vote

Jaguars stadium deal passes Jacksonville City Council vote

Jacksonville’s City Council passed legislation for the Jaguars’ $1.4 billion plans to renovate EverBank Stadium on Tuesday evening with a 14-1 vote, with two members abstaining.

The $775 million total public investment, allocated for stadium construction, deferred capital and maintenance/start-up expenses, marks the largest single capital project in city history.

The Jaguars will contribute $625 million to construction costs and be held responsible for all stadium cost overruns. They’ll also make a $100+ million contribution to the community benefits agreement.

Among the stadium plans include installing a canopy to provide shade, rain cover and improved airflow for 100% of observers in outdoor seating; increased air conditioning; doubling the width of the main concourse and creating 360° connectivity on the upper concourse; 16 new escalators and 12 new elevators; 12 new restrooms and renovations and expansions to existing restrooms; and 190 new points of food and beverage sale.

Construction is on track to begin following the 2025 season and complete before the 2028 season. The Jaguars will likely play at Camping World Stadium in Orlando or Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville in 2027 while most of the construction is conducted.

Find renderings and additional details about the renovation plans here.

The deal includes a non-relocation agreement and a 30-year, $1.35 million per year lease extension for the Jaguars on the stadium, which would take effect in 2028.

“The belief and determination of [former Jaguars owners] Delores and Wayne Weaver to make the Jacksonville Jaguars a reality more than 30 years ago was reaffirmed today by the leadership of Mayor Donna Deegan, her team and the Jacksonville City Council,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement following the vote.

“The message then, and now, should be clear. Never doubt Jacksonville!”

City Council amended the community benefits portion of the agreement last week.

The deal originally included $150 million contributions from both the city and the Jaguars toward ongoing, targeted community initiatives, including OUTEAST neighborhood community development, countywide workforce development, park development and conversion, and affordable housing/homelessness.

The city’s CBA contribution within the stadium deal is now $56 million for renovations to Riverfront Plaza, Metropolitan Park, Shipyards West Park and the Flex Field, with the Jaguars pledging at least $100 million to community projects and an additional $1 for every $3 further contributed by the city, up to their originally agreed upon $150 million contribution.

The $94 million axed from the CBA will be reviewed further by City Council in July, per Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.

“I want everybody to know that I’m also very committed to making sure that we get the rest of that community benefits agreement across the finish line,” Deegan said Monday via News 4 Jax.

“When council comes back from their break in mid-July, we are absolutely committed to those issues of affordable housing, and homelessness, making sure that we create a benefit for the entire community and all this and so I’m excited about tomorrow and excited about the days ahead.”

The “Stadium of the Future” agreement will be presented to NFL owners for approval in October, where it will require 75% support before construction can begin.

Find the projected timeline for EverBank Stadium’s renovations below.

  • NFL owners approval: Oct. 2024
  • Construction begins: Feb. 2025
  • 2025 season: In Jacksonville with 60K+ stadium capacity
  • 2026 season: In Jacksonville with approximately 43.5K stadium capacity
  • 2027 season: Away from Jacksonville (location TBD)
  • Renovations complete and facility opening: Aug. 2028

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.  

Jaguars, Jacksonville reveal ‘Stadium of the Future’ agreement details

Jaguars, Jacksonville reveal ‘Stadium of the Future’ agreement details

The Jaguars and office of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan on Tuesday evening revealed the framework of their agreement regarding renovations to EverBank Stadium, proposing a 55%/45% split between the city and team, respectively, on the project’s total costs.

The City of Jacksonville (public funding) and the Jaguars will each contribute $625 million to the budget for stadium construction, with the city tacking on $150 million for deferred capital and maintenance/start-up expenses. The Jaguars will be responsible for stadium cost overruns.

The total projected cost for renovations is $1.4 billion. It would pair with the Jaguars signing a new, 30-year, $1.35 million per year lease on the stadium, which would take effect in 2028.

Among plans for the project include installing a canopy to provide shade, rain cover and improved airflow for 100% of observers in outdoor seating; increased air conditioning; doubling the width of the main concourse and creating 360° connectivity on the upper concourse; 16 new escalators and 12 new elevators; 12 new restrooms and renovations and expansions to existing restrooms; and 190 new points of food and beverage sale.

Stadium capacity will be flexible, with 63,000+ projected for Jaguars games and the ability to flex 70,000+ for the annual Florida-Georgia game and other major events.

The Jaguars will take over the day-to-day operations of the stadium, including budgeting, maintenance and hosting non-NFL events, as part of the deal.

The city and Jaguars will combine to invest $300 million — $150 million each, upfront from the city and over time from the team — in ongoing, targeted community initiatives, including OUTEAST neighborhood community development, countywide workforce development, park development and conversion, and affordable housing/homelessness.

The Jaguars will continue to play one game annually in London, England, in line with the team’s custom over the last decade. The NFL can assign additional games as part of its international program, but the club can not volunteer additional home games.

The following timeline for the stadium renovations was included in the agreement:

  • Potential final Jacksonville City Council vote: June 25, 2024
  • NFL owners approval: Oct. 2024
  • Construction begins: Feb. 2025
  • 2025 season: In Jacksonville with 60K+ stadium capacity
  • 2026 season: In Jacksonville with approximately 43.5K stadium capacity
  • 2027 season: Away from Jacksonville
  • Renovations complete and facility opening: Aug. 2028

Find all publicly available details about the EverBank Stadium renovation proposal here.

Jaguars, Mayor Donna Deegan to host stadium ‘community huddles’

Jaguars, Mayor Donna Deegan to host stadium ‘community huddles’

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, Jaguars President Mark Lamping and Jacksonville lead negotiator Mike Weinstein will present information about the “Stadium of the Future” deal between the city and the Jaguars to residents at five “community huddle” events in the coming weeks, per Florida Politics.

The city of Jacksonville and the Jaguars agreed to the framework of a deal on renovations to EverBank Stadium earlier this week. Both sides will unveil the contract’s details at the next city council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.

“We have reached an agreement on the framework of a deal,” Deegan said in a Wednesday statement. “The negotiating team is currently putting the final details on paper, and we will release that information as soon as it is available.”

The renovation proposal, including shading for every seat, expanded concourses, extra escalators and elevators, and upgraded HVAC, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, has previously been projected to cost $1.4 billion, reportedly split unevenly between the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have also pitched a sports and entertainment district around the Jacksonville Shipyards to accompany renovations, a bill team owner Shad Khan reportedly would primarily handle to even out the total costs of the projects. Construction has begun on a Four Seasons Hotel and Residences on the land.

Jacksonville City Council and 75% of the NFL’s team owners would need to approve the renovation project.

Find the schedule for Jacksonville’s community huddles below.

Mandarin High School

4831 Greenland Rd., Jacksonville, Fla., 32258

May 15, 6-8 p.m. ET

Legends Center

5130 Soutel Dr., Jacksonville, Fla., 32208

May 16, 6-8 p.m. ET

Fletcher High School

700 Seagate Ave., Neptune Beach, Fla., 32266

May 20, 6-8 p.m. ET

Sandalwood High School

2750 John Promenade Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla., 32246

May 29, 6-8 p.m. ET

Westside High School

5530 Firestone Rd., Jacksonville, Fla, 32244

May 30, 6-8 p.m. ET

Jaguars, Jacksonville to announce stadium renovation deal Tuesday

Jaguars, Jacksonville to announce stadium renovation deal Tuesday

Jacksonville City Council president Ron Salem announced Wednesday that the Jaguars and Mayor Donna Deegan have reached an agreement on a deal for renovations to EverBank Stadium.

In a statement, Deegan confirmed that the contract’s framework is in place with the fine print still being written by the city’s negotiating team. The deal is expected to be unveiled at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.

“The mayor reached out to me late yesterday afternoon to inform me that the executive branch and the Jaguars have reached an agreement on the stadium renovation,” Salem said on Wednesday, per the Florida Times-Union. “I do not know the specifics of this particular deal but look forward to engaging the council during the month of June as we move forward to review it.”

“We have reached an agreement on the framework of a deal,” Deegan added. “The negotiating team is currently putting the final details on paper, and we will release that information as soon as it is available.”

News 4 Jax reported Tuesday that a deal was “imminent.”

The renovation proposal, including shading for every seat; expanded concourses, extra escalators and elevators, and upgraded HVAC, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, has previously been projected to cost $1.4 billion, reportedly split unevenly between the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have also pitched a sports and entertainment district around the Jacksonville Shipyards to accompany renovations, a bill team owner Shad Khan reportedly would primarily handle to even out the total costs of the projects. Construction has begun on a Four Seasons Hotel and Residences on the land.

Independently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an additional $75 million in state funding for a University of Florida graduate campus in Jacksonville on Wednesday. While the location is not yet determined, the Jaguars are reportedly willing to pair the campus with the district.

According to the Times-Union, discussions have involved potential locations for the Jaguars to play home games during either the 2026-27 seasons or the 2027 season alone while renovations are conducted. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville and Camping World Stadium in Orlando are among the venues that have been considered.

Report: Jaguars could limit capacity in 2026 during stadium renovation

The Jaguars are reportedly working on plans to play at EverBank Stadium in front of a limited capacity crowd in 2026 during renovation.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are working on plans that would allow the team to play at EverBank Stadium, albeit with a limited capacity crowd, for the 2026 season while a massive renovation is underway, according to a report from the Florida Times-Union.

If that plan came to fruition, EverBank Stadium would have a capacity of about 44,000 fans for the 2026 season and the Jaguars would play elsewhere in 2027.

“We would need to get comfortable that our fans would prefer that the games be in Jacksonville with a reduced capacity than perhaps being someplace else where there is greater capacity,” Jaguars president Mark Lamping told the Times-Union.

Initially, the Jaguars said the proposed project would require the team to either play two years in another venue or spend four seasons playing in EverBank Stadium while it’s under construction. It wasn’t until October that Lamping raised the possibility of the team leaving its home stadium for only one year.

Where the Jaguars would play in 2027 if the deal gets done remains to be seen. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Hodges Stadium at University of North Florida, and Daytona Speedway have all reportedly had discussions of some sort with the Jaguars about eventually hosting games. Lamping also mentioned Camping World Stadium in Orlando as a possibility in his talk with the Times-Union.

In June 2023, Lamping said that the team was hoping a deal with the City of Jacksonville for the renovation project would get done in spring 2024. Mayor Donna Deegan has seemingly been on the same page, telling the Times-Union in October that she’d “like to get this done sooner rather than later” and “move on to other issues.”

The price tag for the entire project proposed by the Jaguars — which includes turning part of the parking lot into an entertainment district — has been projected to come out to about $2 billion. The team said in the summer that it planned to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half that bill.

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Donna Deegan: Hopefully stadium deal framework will begin this month

Donna Deegan says the next meeting between city representatives and the Jaguars will “hopefully start to set a framework” of a stadium deal.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan says negotiators representing the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars have met just twice regarding a massive renovation of EverBank Stadium, but she’s hopeful their next session will begin the process of drawing up details for a potential agreement.

“The third meeting will happen sometime before Thanksgiving and hopefully start to set a framework for the agreement,” Deegan told Jim Piggott of News4Jax this week. “We’re still months away from this, Jim. Hopefully, after the next meeting we’ll start to get a framework and, hopefully by early spring, we’ll be having a better idea of what we’ve got.”

Earlier this year, the Jaguars laid out their vision for a huge project to reconstruct their home stadium with an expected price tag of about $2 billion. The team also said that it planned to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half that bill.

While Deegan has acknowledged that many voters aren’t interested in public money being used to fund the project, she’s also said that Jacksonville doesn’t have much of a choice if the city doesn’t want to lose the Jaguars.

Jaguars president Mark Lamping said in the summer that the team would ideally have a stadium deal in place next spring to present at league meetings. There are meetings scheduled for March 24-27 in Orlando, Fla. and May 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn.

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Donna Deegan on stadium deal: ‘I’d like to get this past us and move on’

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan wants to wrap up stadium renovation negotiations with the Jaguars sooner rather than later.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan isn’t interested in dragging out a lengthy negotiation with the Jacksonville Jaguars about a massive renovation of EverBank Stadium. She says that the sooner talks are completed, the better.

“I’d like to get this done sooner rather than later,” Deegan told the Florida Times-Union. “I’d like to get this past us and move on to other issues that are important for our city.”

Deegan, who was elected earlier this year and took office in July, has been adamant that she wants to reach a deal with the Jaguars that ties the team to the City of Jacksonville for the foreseeable future. She’s also acknowledged that there’s no solution that doesn’t include significant investment of public money from the city.

The price tag for the entire project proposed by the Jaguars — which includes turning part of the parking lot into an entertainment district — is expected to come out to about $2 billion. The team said in the summer that it planned to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half that bill.

A shortened timeline on the negotiations would probably be welcomed by the Jaguars. Team president Mark Lamping said in June that the team would ideally love to have a deal done in the second quarter of 2024 — allowing the team to get official approval at the annual owners’ meeting in May.

The Jaguars are negotiating with Sidley Austin LLP, a law firm hired by Deegan to represent the city in talks. Any deal reached would also need approval from the Jacksonville City Council, which hired former Jaguars executive Michael Huyghue to represent its interests.

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Donna Deegan says public money for stadium is a must to keep Jaguars

“80 percent say they don’t want to spend the money, 80 percent don’t want to lose the Jags. Those two things are simply mutually exclusive.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan knows there are plenty of taxpayers who aren’t interested in public money being spent on a massive stadium renovation project for the Jacksonville Jaguars. She also knows there’s not much of a choice if the city doesn’t want to see the team pack up and leave town.

“I think everyone wants to see this work,” Deegan said in an interview with Action News Jax. “I’ve had so many community meetings since I was elected and I hear over and over again: people don’t want to spend public money on the stadium. I know that the fans want it, I know some people don’t see the benefit of it. I see a lot of benefit from it: pride in this team and this city, relationships that we can build business wise.

“But the bottom line is 80 percent say they don’t want to spend the money, 80 percent don’t want to lose the Jags. Those two things are simply mutually exclusive so an agreement must be reached. Hopefully, we come up with one that we all are pretty pleased with.”

The Jaguars aren’t asking for a small amount in negotiations with the city. The price tag for the entire project proposed by the Jaguars — which will include turning part of the parking lot into an entertainment district — is expected to come out to about $2 billion. The team said in the summer that it planned to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half that bill.

Jaguars president Mark Lamping said in June that the team would ideally love to have a deal with the City of Jacksonville done in the second quarter of 2024. That would allow the team to get official approval at the annual owners’ meeting in May.

There are many hurdles to cross before the Jaguars get to that point, though. The team is currently negotiating with Sidley Austin LLP, a law firm hired by Deegan to represent the city in talks. Any deal reached would also need approval from the Jacksonville City Council, which hired former Jaguars executive Michael Huyghue to represent its interests.

The Jaguars have played in EverBank Stadium, originally called Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, since the team’s inaugural season in 1995.

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Donna Deegan hires law firm to represent city in Jaguars stadium talks

Donna Deegan picked Sidley Austin LLP to represent the city in stadium renovation negotiations with the Jaguars.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is hiring Sidley Austin LLP to represent the city in negotiations with the Jacksonville Jaguars regarding a massive renovation of EverBank Stadium.

“After a comprehensive selection process and in accordance with the mayor’s desire to bring in an experienced, highly reputable outside law firm, we have chosen Sidley Austin LLP to represent the City in upcoming negotiations,” Jacksonville interim chief financial officer Mike Weinstein, the city’s said in a press release, via the Florida Times-Union.

Earlier this summer, the Jaguars revealed their vision for an overhaul of their home stadium, which would include a futuristic looking roof to provide shade while also allowing open air flow. The price tag of the project is expected to land at about $2 billion and Jaguars owner Shad Khan is hoping to split the bill evenly with the City of Jacksonville, which owns the facility.

In July, the Jacksonville City Council hired former Jaguars executive Michael Huyghue to represent their interests in negotiations.

There’s no established timeline for talks or a deadline for a deal to be reached. However, Jaguars president Mark Lamping told 1010XL that spring 2024 would “line up well” and allow the team to get final approval from NFL owners at league meetings in May.

The Jaguars’ lease with the City of Jacksonville to play games at EverBank Stadium runs through the end of the 2029 NFL season.

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Donna Deegan on talks with Jaguars: ‘We both really want to get to yes’

Donna Deegan is optimistic she’ll have “a very productive negotiation” with the Jaguars.

Donna Deegan won’t take office as Jacksonville’s new mayor until July, but she’s already feeling optimistic about future negotiations with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a stadium deal.

In an interview with A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics, Deegan  said she’s already had “a number of conversations” with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and president Mark Lamping. While negotiations on the massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field haven’t started, Deegan says all parties have the same goal.

“I’m looking forward to a very productive negotiation season,” Deegan said. “I think that, frankly, we both really want to get to yes. That will certainly be a process, but I think it’s going to be fine.”

Jaguars brass are currently on a tour of “community huddles,” hosting 14 meetings with fans and Jacksonville residents to discuss the proposed renovation. Deegan applauded the team for putting its plans in front of the taxpayers.

“These huddles that the Jaguars are having right now, that was something that I asked them to do when I met with Mr. Khan months and months ago,” Deegan said. “I think it’s incredibly important to take what their plans are, put those plans in front of the public, and hear the concerns of the public firsthand. … I’m actually very appreciative of the fact that they included that in the process.”

The price tag for the entire project — which will include turning part of the parking lot into an entertainment district — is expected to be about $2 billion. The Jaguars plan to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half the bill.

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