JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When people see renderings of what the Jacksonville Jaguars “Stadium of the Future” could look like, some wonder if it really could become a reality.
The $2 billion dream to redevelop the stadium and the surrounding area with half the money coming from the city is still just that — a dream — but negotiations between the city and the team are underway.
During a city council meeting on Tuesday night, Mike Weinstein, the city’s chief negotiator for the stadium deal, updated council members on where it all stands.
“Right now, probably 15 different pieces of this puzzle are all moving on their own schedule. Hopefully, they’ll come together,” Weinstein said.
As for the design of the stadium, it is not set in stone. It’s only about 30% complete. A study is being done on the current stadium to look at its integrity and what needs to be fixed immediately.
As for renovations, the current plan calls for construction to occur during the 2026 and 2027 seasons and to be back at playing games at the stadium for the 2028 season. But there is a chance construction could start in 2025 and 2026 while playing there to a limited crowd. The team would then move home games for one season in 2027 and be back in the new stadium in 2028.
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Where the Jaguars will play during construction is still up in the air.
“No relocation plan in place at this time. Focusing on the stadium agreement. Once we get closer to a resolution on the stadium we will focus on the temporary solution,” Jaguars team president Mark Lamping said in a statement on Wednesday.
There are other ongoing negotiations, including a new lease for the city-owned stadium.
“In addition to the lease, we’re working on a non-relocation agreement,” Weinstein said. “All the NFL agreements have a requirement as to what needs to take place if in fact the team leaves and what are the liquidated damages, what are the damages that have to happen if they leave. So we’re working on that we’re working on home games, the requirement of how many home games have to be here.”
The final cost for renovations has not been determined.
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Right now, the city is only looking at the stadium which could run around $1.4 billion. The surrounding areas and cost will come up in later talks.
But one thing that will have a big impact on the renovation of the stadium is what’s going to happen to the community that sits in the shadow of the stadium. The people on the Eastside have been in the area for a long time, and they want to make sure they’re not left out in any of these talks and negotiations.
Honey Holzendorf, who works with seniors in the Eastside area, said she has faith that Jaguars owner Shad Kahn will work with them.
“I know that he’s made a difference, an impact in this community. And I just pray that he continues to impact this community with the resources that he has that are available to this community. And if not, maybe we can find some way,” Holzendorf said.
Weinstein said he has met with Eastside residents as well.
News4JAX also asked Mayor Deegan about the ongoing talks on Wednesday.
“There are several moving parts, but they’re all moving at the same time. We got to get that design done so we know exactly what the cost is going to be. We’re already starting to talk through revenue streams and how that’s going to work out. So I feel like we’re on pace. I’ve said this before, I think that we have a goal of getting to a framework of a deal by by spring.”
Weinstein said he is also meeting with Florida and Georgia football officials about the yearly game at the stadium and what will happen during renovations. That contract expires in 2025. The Gator Bowl contract also expires soon.
“So we’ve got a lot to do in addition to just the Jaguars piece of this puzzle,” Weinstein said.