Legislation for Jacksonville Jaguars’ performance facility, Shipyards project to be introduced soon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax’s Ben Becker learned more about what Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry didn’t speak about during his 2021-22 budget presentation before the city council on Tuesday – money needed for proposed development at the Shipyards and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ performance facility.

A source close to the situation tells Becker to expect that legislation will be filed Wednesday for the Jaguars’ proposed $120 million sports facility.

READ: Jacksonville Jaguars looking to control the narrative on this go-around of downtown development plan

The facility would require $60 million in taxpayer money. The legislation for that facility is expected to be introduced to city council on July 27, go through a six-week committee cycle and be voted upon September 14.

Becker has also learned from that source to expect Shipyards legislation, including $115 million of taxpayer money, to be introduced Aug. 10, also undergo a six-week committee cycle and come up for a vote on September 21.

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The vote would occur just before the budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

The Shipyards includes a possible Four Seasons hotel. However, Becker first reported in June that a Downtown Investment Authority resolution opened the door for a hotel other than a Four Seasons. That could mean less bed tax, less surcharges and less property tax collected for the city.

READ: Action News Jax Investigates: Flood-prone Shipyards and stadium development could leave taxpayers drowning in costs

So where will all this money come from to pay for the practice facility and Shipyards?

If passed by the city council, it will be incorporated into the Capital Improvement Plan as part of the budget.

Why is that important for Mayor Curry? It will only require a majority vote to pass. Action News Jax told you in January that the controversial Lot J development supported by the mayor failed to pass city council because it needed 13 votes to pass.

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