We encourage the Jacksonville City Council to support the Deegan Administration’s negotiated stadium proposal. The comprehensive package – including the stadium renovation plan, a long-term lease structure and the Community Benefits Agreement – will create a world-class stadium, advance our downtown, elevate our community and secure the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
 
As we look forward, it is important to remember where we have come from. On November 30, 1993, to the surprise of many, Jacksonville was awarded a highly coveted NFL franchise. This made Jacksonville one of only 32 cities in America with an NFL team. Winning the team raised our city’s profile, advanced economic development, and improved the civic pride and quality of life for residents throughout the region.
 
In 1993, a key point of consideration in the award was the city’s commitment to conduct a significant stadium renovation and maintain a first-rate facility. As a result, we have continued to upgrade the facility for the benefit of the fans, the team, and the numerous other events held within the stadium.
 
Since the Jaguars played their first game decades ago, our community has repeatedly shown dedication to the team. From the initial Touchdown Jacksonville campaign, Jacksonville residents and businesses alike have consistently demonstrated their unwavering support for the Jaguars, as have every Mayoral Administration and City Council.
 
Likewise, we have been fortunate to have committed team owners. First with Wayne and Delores Weaver and their founding co-owners, and now with Shad Khan. Over the years, the Weaver family, along with the Cherry, DuBow, Haskell, McArthur, Petway, and Seldin families, reshaped our community through their generous philanthropic contributions throughout Northeast Florida. Now, Shad Khan is making capital investments that will forever change the landscape of our downtown and our community.
 
Today, Jacksonville is overdue for a significant stadium upgrade. Of the 32 teams in the league, the Jaguars are the only team that has not built a new stadium, conducted major renovations, or moved to a new city. The enhancements are not just needed for the Jaguars and their fans, but also for residents and visitors who enjoy entertainment and sporting events throughout the year.
 
The Mayor’s proposed comprehensive plan represents a thoughtful and fiscally responsible approach to ensure our facilities and fan experience are relevant, competitive, and viable for decades. In addition, this plan offers an opportunity to elevate our community and areas surrounding the stadium.
 
John Delaney, Jacksonville Mayor (1995-2003)
John Peyton, Jacksonville Mayor (2003-2011)
 

Cheers to the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars for negotiating a stadium deal that is fair, innovative and potentially transformational. Kudos to Mayor Degan and Shad Khan, the CEOs of these two entities, for inspiring the negotiators to achieve their organization’s respective goals while demonstrating a collaborative and caring spirit for all involved parties.

The stadium portion of the deal is simply a remarkable reflection of a shared commitment to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville for a minimum of the next three decades while not requesting additional taxes from the residents. The deal addresses a myriad of issues to improve the fan experience: shade from the sun and rain, more escalators, improved airflow, additional concessions, a wider concourse and more bathrooms. I thank the Jaguars for committing to deliver an improved fan experience.

The financing of this deal is creative and responsible. It leverages an existing funding mechanism while keeping its promises to fund the pension for the men and women who lay, and have laid, their lives on the line every day to secure our safety and security.  I can’t begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for such a brilliant display of innovation and commitment.

What I am most impressed with regarding this deal is the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). As I understand it, the agreement will provide $30M from the City and $75M from the Jaguars (over 30 years) to help revitalize Outeast, the neighborhood bordering one of the most immense developments in the history of our city. This investment could revitalize this once thriving neighborhood, maintain its historical significance and allow current and new working-class residents (e.g., police officers, fire fighters, teachers, nurses, etc.) to enjoy its anticipated growth.

The City will invest $70M in parks and recreation. This investment will allow for completion of the Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West Park and Metropolitan Park while converting the Flex Field for future youth, senior and other sports tournaments. There are funds for each district to support local parks, public spaces and athletic associations so that children can enjoy the benefits of movement and team sports.

Additionally, the City will invest $50M in conjunction with the Jaguars’ $75M (over 30 years) to help address workforce development, affordable housing and homelessness. Creating more affordable housing and addressing homelessness are key priorities for many Jacksonville residents and, thus, they are key priorities for the mayor. It should be noted that as of 1/1/25, it is illegal for anyone to sleep in an unauthorized public space anywhere in the state of Florida.

The funding of workforce development can be a game changer for so many of our residents who are working to improve their lives. With all of the construction happening in Jacksonville, there aren’t enough skilled laborers in our city. This approach will allow hundreds, if not thousands, of our residents to learn many of these skilled trades and be compensated at a livable wage. As residents work to develop new skills for which companies are willing to pay a livable wage, they are often faced with barriers that keep them from doing so: childcare, lack of reliable transportation, mounting bills, etc. The funds for workforce development will assist our working-class residents by removing many of these barriers via a stipend or other supportive methods.

Many of our citizens who may be attempting to get their lives back on track through re-entry into society after serving a jail or prison sentence will be helped greatly by this workforce development initiative. As many of you may know, helping citizens who did not commit a horrendous crime to re-enter our society is the culmination of my purpose in life. For many years, I worked to remove these perpetrators from our streets. My faith has revealed to me that removing them from the streets is not the end game. Helping them to become productive contributors to society, and their families, is the end game.

I urge our city leaders to approve this stadium deal, including the Community Benefits Agreement. In 2000, the architects of the Better Jacksonville Plan (BJP) and the council members who approved it were deeply invested in what was best for Jacksonville. They set aside their individual differences and their personal and political desires to establish a shared interest in what was best for Jacksonville and its citizens. As a result, thousands of our residents and visitors benefit from many of the investments created by the BJP.

My prayer is that love and leadership will carry the day, resulting in this stadium deal, especially the CBA, being approved.
 
Nat Glover
Former Duval County Sheriff/EWU President
 

Dear Council Members,

As the co-founder of Brightway Insurance, and a long-standing supporter of numerous community initiatives in Jacksonville, I am writing to express my unequivocal support for the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and the broader "Stadium of the Future" project. This visionary endeavor not only promises to revitalize our stadium infrastructure but also delivers significant and lasting benefits to our community.

The $300 million Community Benefits Agreement, split equally between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville, is a landmark investment in our community's future. This agreement focuses on crucial areas such as workforce development, affordable housing, combating homelessness, and enhancing parks and recreational facilities. These initiatives are vital for addressing some of the most pressing issues faced by our residents, ensuring that the benefits of this project extend well beyond the stadium itself.

The stadium renovation plan, which includes innovative features such as a comprehensive shade covering, expanded concourses, and additional amenities, is designed to enhance the overall experience for all visitors. This project is expected to generate $26 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years and $2.6 billion during construction, creating jobs and stimulating local businesses.

Importantly, the Jaguars' commitment to assuming a larger share of game day expenses and operational responsibilities represents a significant shift towards a more sustainable financial model for stadium operations. This change will relieve the city of substantial financial burdens, allowing for better allocation of resources across other essential public services. In my capacity as a business leader and community advocate, I have consistently witnessed the impact of strategic investments and community partnerships. The CBA ensures that the benefits of the stadium project will be felt across all sectors of our community, from job creation and economic growth to improved public services and enhanced quality of life for our residents.

Jacksonville has always thrived on the strength of its community spirit and collaborative efforts. This project embodies that spirit, demonstrating a commitment to building a brighter and more prosperous future for all. I urge the City Council to approve this transformative initiative, confident that it will serve as a catalyst for widespread and lasting positive change throughout Duval County.

Thank you for your consideration
David Miller

David Miller Support Letter

I would like to thank Mayor Deegan and her team for the negotiations between the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a fair deal that will protect and benefit taxpayers as we work towards a vibrant downtown, lift neighborhoods throughout the city and increase needed services to reduce homelessness.
 
The Community Benefits Agreement will have a positive impact on affordable housing and workforce development as we keep Jacksonville as one of 30 cities in the nation to host the National Football League with our own Jacksonville Jaguars team. Some of the benefits of the total package include:

• Jaguars will absorb all cost overruns.
• Savings of $5 million annually by shifting the Gameday Operations to the Jaguars.
• The renovations will save money by ending the annual expense of adding seats for Florida-Georgia Games.
• Funding to complete the riverwalk by finishing Riverfront Plaza, Metropolitan Park and the Shipyards West Park.

I look forward to seeing the infrastructure improvements, economic growth, job creation and world-class entertainment that will be the result of this visionary plan.
 
Again, I thank the mayor and stand with her as we move ahead to having a city that we are proud of and that serves generations to come.
 
Elaine Brown
Mayor, City of Neptune Beach

Elaine Brown Support Letter
 

The forward-thinking stadium renovation agreement struck by Mayor Deegan’s office and the Jaguars is just as significant a leap forward for Jacksonville as the day we first landed the NFL franchise, nearly 31 years ago on November 30^th, 1993.

I will never forget the excitement of that day. And as former owner of the Jaguars, I wholeheartedly support the entire package now before the City Council. The much-needed renovations to the stadium will keep the team in our city for generations to come, by providing more shade, better food choices, and an upgraded entertainment venue that will now be able to attract premiere events.

In addition, the corresponding community benefits package is an outstanding investment in our long-term prosperity. This package is vital, because it will fund critical workforce development initiatives, affordable housing and homelessness reduction efforts, and the completion of our riverfront parks. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress for thousands of Duval County residents.

I commend both Mayor Deegan and Shad Khan for having the courage and foresight to make bold investments into our city’s future. It’s a huge step toward helping Jacksonville realize its full potential, and it will not raise taxes even one cent.
 
I urge the Jacksonville City Council to approve this agreement for the betterment of us all. Go Jaguars! 

Wayne Weaver
Former Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars
 

Jacksonville Civic Council Endorses Stadium Deal and Community Benefit Agreement as Package, Strongly Urges City Council to Keep Them Together

JAX CHAMBER URGES CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT STADIUM OF THE FUTURE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
 
The proposal would completely renovate and modernize the stadium, and finalize a new 30-year lease for the city-owned facility
  
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 17, 2024) – The JAX Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted Friday morning to support the proposed Stadium of the Future agreement and urged the City Council to approve the deal.
 
The City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars would evenly split the cost of the $1.4 billion stadium renovation, and the city would also contribute $150 million to repairs prior to construction that will make the renovation possible. With that addition, the city would be paying 55 percent of the cost for the project, lower than two recent National Football League deals in Buffalo and Nashville, respectively.
 
“This is an incredibly important deal for the future of our city,” JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis said. “A deal to keep the Jaguars here for at least another 30 years and a state-of-the-art stadium for the team and other major events are huge wins. I commend Mayor Deegan and the Jaguars for coming together, listening to community input and getting a fair agreement done.”
 
The details of the deal were announced earlier this week. Mayor Deegan, city lead negotiator Mike Weinstein, and Jaguars President Mark Lamping addressed the Chamber Board of Directors on Friday, outlining the terms and answering questions from the Board. The deal also includes a Community Benefits Agreement, with the city and Jaguars each contributing $150 million to significant community projects, including housing, workforce development and parks.
 
“We have to invest in the Jaguars and the stadium – that’s part of the deal of being an NFL city and we understand that. The Community Benefit Agreement is also a huge part of this deal and we will see significant benefits from these investments.” Davis said. “We will be active in speaking with the City Council on the importance of this proposal and urge them to approve the agreement.”
 
About JAX Chamber 
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.  
 

Community Huddle Presentation

The City of Jacksonville, together with the Jacksonville Jaguars, will host five Stadium of the Future Community Huddles, so that citizens can learn more – and ask questions – about the proposed stadium deal. Mayor Donna Deegan, City of Jacksonville; Mark Lamping, President, Jacksonville Jaguars; and Mike Weinstein, Lead Negotiator, City of Jacksonville, will present at each meeting. These events are free and open to the public, with no registration required. They will take place as follows:
 

Mandarin High School 4831 Greenland Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258 May 15, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Legends Center 5130 Soutel Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32208  May 16, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Fletcher High School 700 Seagate Ave. Neptune Beach, FL 32266 May 20, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Sandalwood High School  2750 John Promenade Blvd.  Jacksonville, FL 32246 May 29, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Westside High School 5530 Firestone Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32244 May 30, 2024, 6-8 p.m.

Economic Framework

Funding Proposal

The Better Jacksonville Plan Referendum (BJP) that was passed by the citizens of Jacksonville nearly 30 years ago called for a half of a percent to be added to the sales tax for 30 years to complete a wide variety of capital projects. Jacksonville citizens then passed a second referendum to extend that same half-penny to fund the deficit in the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the City's General Employees’ Pension Fund. The BJP half-penny was to stop at the end of 2030 and the Pension half-penny was to immediately take its place.

A prior administration thought it would be a good idea to consider ending the BJP earlier than 2030, possibly at the end of 2026. This required taking projects that would have been paid for by the BJP sales tax, placing those projects in the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and borrowing money to complete those projects. This moved projects that would have been paid for with available City cash to requiring borrowing to get those projects completed. The pension funds by the approved referendum will receive 30 years of their half-penny or until they are both fully funded. Therefore, whether the BJP ends at the end of 2030 or 2026, the pension funds will be fully funded by the pension sales tax.

If the city follows through with the approved referendum BJP end date of 2030 and returns the projects that were taken out of the BJP and adds similar projects that can be added through City Council approval, it will remove around $600 million from anticipated borrowing and save the taxpayer over $1.5 billion in debt payments and still get all the projects completed according to their schedules.

The relief of this debt burden brings us to the stadium recommendation;

During the next four budget cycles, it is recommended we place into the City's CIP the required funding for our share of the renovation expenses according to the construction schedule and funding requirements matching the construction schedule. The way the CIP works is the City pays the expenses of the CIP projects from various City accounts as the costs occur and at the end of each year the city borrows the amount spent on the projects and reimburses the accounts the funding originally came from. The borrowing at the end of each year is then added to the City's overall debt and paid for in the City's debt service accounts. The goal is always to borrow less than we pay off each year.

Renderings

Click on image to view full size in a new browser window.