Tag: TIAA Bank Field renovations

Jacksonville hires ex-Jaguars VP Michael Huyghue for stadium talks

The Jacksonville City Council hired a familiar face to represent them in stadium negotiations with the Jaguars.

The Jacksonville City Council agreed Tuesday to hire Michael Huyghue to represent their interests in negotiations with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a massive stadium renovation project, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Huyghue, 61, was once a senior vice president of the Jaguars, joining the team in 1994 prior to its first games as an expansion franchise. He left the Jaguars in 2001 to begin his own business as a sports and entertainment agent. Huyghue later served as commissioner of the short-lived United Football League.

“While my relationship has been long-standing in the NFL, in many cases, it has been on the opposite side of the table,” Huyghue said at the council meeting Tuesday, via the Times-Union. “I have a very good relationship with them. And that gives me an inside seat to be able to understand some of the inner workings that I think I will bring to this position.”

Newly elected Jacksonville mayor Donna Deegan is reportedly in the process of hiring a consultant of her own for the stadium talks.

In June, the Jaguars revealed the first renderings of their vision for a renovated TIAA Bank Field (soon to become EverBank Stadium). Team president Mark Lamping has said the project will likely come with a price tag of about $2 billion and the Jaguars will ask the City of Jacksonville, who owns the stadium, to cover about half the cost.

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Mark Lamping: Stadium deal in spring 2024 would ‘line up well’

Mark Lamping says a stadium deal in the second quarter of 2024 would “line up pretty well” for the Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hopeful they can reach a deal with the City of Jacksonville on a massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field. Jaguars president Mark Lamping doesn’t see it happening in 2023, though.

In an interview with 1010XL, Lamping said the team hasn’t set any deadlines for its negotiations with the city and he doubts that a deal will be done by October when he says the team will need to decide whether it continues investing in stadium design.

Lamping did offer a timeline that would work out well for the Jaguars, though.

“If we could get something done second quarter next year, it lines up pretty well,” Lamping said. “We could go to the owners’ meeting, try get approval next May.

“We’re all searching for the same thing, a deal that makes sense for the City of Jacksonville, makes sense for all the residents of the City of Jacksonville and all of Duval County, that works for the Jaguars, and works for the National Football League.”

Negotiations with the city haven’t started yet as mayor-elect Donna Deegan won’t take office until July. For now, the Jaguars are meeting with members of the community to discuss the project, which is expected to cost about $2 billion. The Jaguars plan to ask the city to cover about half of that cost.

Earlier this week, Deegan applauded the Jaguars for meeting with the community ahead of the negotiations and said she’s optimistic about the upcoming talks.

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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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Jaguars ‘keeping the pools, for sure’ in stadium renovation, says design firm

The pools at TIAA Bank Field are here to stay.

The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled back the curtain on their ambitious effort to renovate TIAA Bank Field, revealing renderings of the proposed project last week. While the renderings of the stadium showed massive transformations in many ways, the principal designer of the project wanted to assure Jaguars fans one thing wasn’t changing.

“We’re keeping the pools, for sure,” Peter Broeder of design firm HOK told News4Jax last Wednesday.

The Jaguars added pools to their stadium in 2014, introducing an NFL fan experience that was unique to Jacksonville. While the cabanas and pools are not as prominent in the renderings released by the Jaguars last week, a few managed to spot them in the images.

What makes the pools a little less prominent in the new design is a sizable expansion of the deck below and the addition of a roof on the stadium.

“On that north end, just below where those pools are, we’re lifting that portion of the seating bowl and creating a new club space and a new bar space there at the concourse level,” Broeder said.

If the costly project comes to fruition, the swimming pools will likely no longer be the first thing people spot at TIAA Bank Field. But don’t worry: If you haven’t had your turn in the cabanas, you’ve still got plenty of time to enjoy a swim during a Jaguars game.

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Jaguars to meet with Daytona Speedway officials about possibly hosting games

Jaguars games at Daytona International Speedway? Team president Mark Lamping isn’t ruling it out.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing for the possibility that they’ll need a temporary home in the future during the renovation of TIAA Bank Field. While Gainesville and Orlando have been at the forefront of the conversation, the Jaguars aren’t dismissing outside-the-box ideas either.

According to trade magazine VenuesNow, Jaguars president Mark Lamping plans to meet with Daytona International Speedway officials soon about the possibility of hosting games.

“It would be an interesting solution, but would also require significant investment in terms of infrastructure,” Lamping said Wednesday, via VenuesNow. “It can accommodate a big crowd. It would be a little wonky, but it’s worth considering. After the renovations, it’s nice.”

The racetrack underwent a $400 million renovation that was completed in 2016 to update the concourses and luxury suites. The 2.5-mile tri-oval track seats more than 100,000 fans, but placement of a football field so attendees have a good view would be a challenge.

In the 1970s, Bethune-Cookman played a few games on the grass infield by the front stretch.

While it would a creative solution to the Jaguars’ potential need for a short-term home, Daytona is certainly a long shot. Just like Gainesville and Orlando, Daytona Beach is well outside of Jacksonville. And if the Jaguars believe the speedway requires a significant investment, it seems they are likelier to spend on a local venue like the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.

Jaguars games at NASCAR’s most famous track is a fun concept, but the idea doesn’t seem very realistic. Still, the team is clearly considering all options as it gets closer to a stadium renovation.

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Jaguars to hold ‘community huddles’ to discuss stadium with public

Jaguars president Mark Lamping will hold 14 town hall meetings around Jacksonville to hear from the public about the stadium renovations.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting out ahead of the future battle to win support among residents for a massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field.

Eventually, the Jaguars will need taxpayers to approve a huge chunk of public funding for the project. To answer questions, get feedback, and hear opinions from Jacksonville residents and Jaguars fans, the team announced Wednesday that it’ll spend nearly two weeks holding “community huddles” around the city.

Here are the dates, locations, and times for all 14 of the huddles, which will have Jaguars president Mark Lamping in attendance.

  • June 12: String Sports Brewery – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 13: Ramada by Wyndham – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 14: Jacksonville Golf & Country Club – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 15: Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 16: Argyle Branch Library – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 17: Deerwood Country Club – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 17: Atlantic Beach Country Club – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 19: Community First Igloo – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 19: Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville West – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 20: Grounds of Grace – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 20: Bradham and Brooks Branch Library – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 21: Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • June 21: Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library – 5-6:30 p.m.
  • June 22: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Two years ago, the Jaguars’ Lot J development was shot down in a vote by residents in part because the team did little to no community outreach.

“They should have a lot of town meetings,” Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci told the Florida Times-Union in May. “When you take things out into the community, and are being transparent, that’s how you gain favor with people who are skeptical about the whole thing.

“If you don’t talk to people about it in the open, you’re asking for trouble. Trust is the most important asset that business people and politicians can have. If you do anything that begins to lose that asset, you’re done.”

The Jaguars are seeking to learn from their prior mistakes and earn the public’s trust.

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Jaguars players react to stadium renovation design renderings

Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. were among the players excited to see the renderings of the potential TIAA Bank Field renovation.

The Jacksonville Jaguars offered a first glimpse at the massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field they’re hoping will happen in the next few years. The futuristic looking project earned mostly positive reviews, including excited reactions from a few of the team’s players.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr., wide receiver Calvin Ridley, safety Andre Cisco, and special teamer Daniel Thomas were all excited about the renderings posted by the Jaguars on Twitter.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence — who has been credited by team president Mark Lamping as partially responsible for the swell of good will surrounding the project — reacted to the renderings on his Instagram story, writing “BIG MOVES” over a photo of the re-designed stadium.

While players on the team are enthusiastic about the potential renovation, the Jaguars will need to secure a deal with the City of Jacksonville and mayor-elect Donna Deegan. The team will also need a significant chunk of funding to come via taxpayers.

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Watch: Jaguars release first renderings of proposed stadium renovation

The Jaguars released renderings of their vision for a renovated TIAA Bank Field.

The Jacksonville Jaguars inched another step closer to a massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field on Wednesday when they released renderings of the potential project to the public.

In a video posted on the team’s YouTube, computer generated images of the team’s envisioned stadium showed a futuristic looking TIAA Bank Field complete with a roof cover of the field.

“We have reached the end of this important and initial phase of this project, the design of the stadium we envision will be the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars and serve our entire community for generations to come,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a release.

“From stadium discussions starting in 2016 to the formal process launched in July 2020 and now concluding, our objective has always been the same – lock in a promising future for the Jaguars and help our downtown become an economic engine to lift all of Jacksonville, particularly areas that have been underserved. Being able to share the video and stadium design highlights with the people of Jacksonville is a significant step forward in that effort.”

A price tag for the renovation hasn’t been revealed by the Jaguars, but estimations have suggested it could exceed $1 billion.

Ultimately, there are still major hurdles for the Jaguars to clear before their envisioned stadium of the future becomes a reality. The team will need to negotiate the terms of the project with the City of Jacksonville and its newly elected mayor Donna Deegan, who is set to take office in July.

Then the Jaguars will need to garner public support for a vote on the usage of taxpayer money on the renovation — however much that ends up being. The team will also need the support of NFL owners, who will need to approve the project.

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Mark Lamping: Jaguars’ recent success should help stadium negotiations

Mark Lamping thinks the Jaguars having Trevor Lawrence could help a stadium renovation deal get done.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to do a massive renovation of their home stadium, TIAA Bank Field. Standing in their way is a negotiation with the City of Jacksonville for a deal on the construction project that is expected to land in the $600 million to $1 billion range.

Fortunately for the Jaguars, they have Trevor Lawrence.

According to Jaguars team president Mark Lamping, having the 23-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback and a recent playoff victory under their belt should help grease the wheels during renovation negotiations.

“We didn’t plan for the stadium when it was originally opened almost 30 years ago to reach the end of its economic life after a fascinating run in the playoffs with a young quarterback leading it,” Lamping told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. “The reality is when the local NFL team is winning, everybody has a little broader smile on their face, maybe a little more pep in their step, and they sometimes feel like it’s an easier decision to support advancing a major project.”

The Jaguars’ lease of the stadium with the City of Jacksonville runs through the 2029 season. That leaves a decent amount of time for the Jaguars to secure a deal on the renovation project, especially after the University of Florida and University of Georgia committed to playing at TIAA Bank Field in 2024 and 2025 — seemingly guaranteeing that no construction will happen until at least 2026.

Lawrence won’t be going anywhere anytime soon and, barring a sudden collapse, the Jaguars are set to be a contender for a while. If that helps a stadium renovation get done, that’s good news for all parties.

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Jaguars could stay at TIAA Bank Field with 4-year renovation

Jaguars president Mark Lamping said the team could avoid a temporary relocation with a lengthier, more expensive renovation.

The logistics of a potential renovation of TIAA Bank Field were put under the microscope last week when Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told 1010XL that the Jaguars will need to find another place to play for two years during the project.

Jaguars president Mark Lamping says that assertion is premature and he offered an alternative in an interview with Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union.

Another option, also at a more expensive price tag, would be for the TIAA Bank Field renovation to take place over four years without the team going anywhere.

But there’s a caveat to that, too. It would mean a start-stop construction process that Lamping says would also increase the stadium deal by over $100 million. It’s another reminder this stadium issue is an onion with a lot of layers.

Last week, the Times-Union reported that the Jaguars have broached the subject of a temporary relocation in conversations with the University of Florida and University of North Florida.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. boasts a capacity of 88,548, but is more than 70 miles from TIAA Bank Field. While UNF’s Hodges Stadium is significantly closer, it seats just 9,400 fans.

Lamping said bringing Hodges Stadium up to NFL standards would cost “in excess of $100 million.”

“Whether you build a new stadium or renovate an old one, it’s going to result in a disruption for the team and its fans,” Lamping told the Times-Union. “The degree of disruption we’ll experience in Jacksonville with a stadium renovation and how many seasons will be impacted is a function of the scale of the renovation, the cost and the renovation schedule. The Jaguars are committed to a path that results in the least disruption to the team, our fans and the community.”

Negotiations between the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville regarding a stadium renovation are expected to ramp up after a new mayor takes office in July.

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