JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday night unanimously passed a $90 million plan for EverBank Field upgrades and a 5,000-seat amphitheater.
In addition to the amphitheater, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan wants to build a covered practice field. The plan would also upgrade club seating inside the football stadium.
The proposal had to clear the city’s Finance Committee and three other committees before going before the full City Council.
The $90 million plan has the city splitting the cost with the Jaguars. The city would borrow $45 million to pay its share and use the city hotel tax to pay it back.
Before the vote, City Councilman Danny Becton voiced concerned about what this deal means for the city. It doesn’t receive equal usage, and would have to impose a ticket and parking surcharge to pay for maintenance. The team also keeps the revenue from events it books at the amphitheater.
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Mayor Lenny Curry's spokesperson Marsha Oliver released the following statement on the vote:
"We are pleased that the Council voted unanimously in support of capital improvements to our stadium. As the mayor has stated and Council affirmed this evening, this investment, to be paid with bed tax revenue and funding matched by Jaguars owner Shad Khan, provides tremendous value to our sports facilities, tourism efforts, and growth."
Khan released the following statement, via the Jaguars:
“We have worked diligently over the years to improve EverBank Field, in every respect, to make it one of the best stadiums in the NFL for the Jaguars and our fans, and to enhance the entire Sports Complex so we are an undisputed destination for world class sports and entertainment events,” said Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. “Today’s news is a major step forward in our continuing effort to establish Jacksonville as the best of the best. We appreciate the efforts by Mayor Curry and the City Council to help make this vision a reality for Jacksonville so we can realize together what Jacksonville and the Jaguars are capable of achieving.”
Construction will begin at the start of the new year, after the TaxSlayer Bowl, and be ready for the start of the 2016 NFL season.
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