EverBank Field Development Renderings

[PeeJayEss]

In many ways, I would prefer a cleaner more modern version of the lower picture than the largely empty golf course looking thing in the first.

Agreed. Ennis, when is that pic from? Late 70s? Seems like it would be very long ago based on how different things are, but it really isn't.

Early 1980s. The EverBank Center (Southern Bell) building is under construction.

Ah! I was looking for the Bell South tower to better date it, but couldn't make it out.

[edjax]

If I were the jags I would try and find some space in the practice facility that at street level where they could open a retail store for Jags merchandise to be open year round. 

[PeeJayEss]

If I were the jags I would try and find some space in the practice facility that at street level where they could open a retail store for Jags merchandise to be open year round.

Brick and mortar retail: The future of Jacksonville!

[brainstormer]

Some relevant points have been brought up. I too question the scale of the project. I don't see how a giant practice facility and an amphitheater can both fit between the current stadium and the Hart Expressway. I think both projects should happen, I'm just not convinced about the location of both. I'm also fine with taking up surface parking if we need to.

Met Park lost its relevancy a while ago. People have complained about the noise and obviously maintenance was non existent. Bring the Hart Expressway down to street level and repurpose the area where Met Park is along the river. There is a good bit of land that isn't environmentally toxic that should be opened up for private development. If Khan wants to develop it, let him. I personally think one massive "Shipyards" development will never happen. Clean it up an acre at a time and RFP it. The USS Adams connected to some development where Met Park currently is complete with a River taxi stop, etc. Maybe even the aquarium. There are realistic opportunities if we stop dreaming of one massive project by one developer.

[RattlerGator]

I too question the scale of the project. I don't see how a giant practice facility and an amphitheater can both fit between the current stadium and the Hart Expressway. I think both projects should happen, I'm just not convinced about the location of both. I'm also fine with taking up surface parking if we need to.

I'm genuinely curious about this. Is the idea that they've announced they want construction to proceed quickly with a target completion date *prior* to the start of the next football season but . . . somehow failed to properly size their needs ? ? ? Incompetent architects have somehow been employed who have overlooked the requirements for both buildings in the space available ? ? ?

The presumption seems odd as hell to me but maybe I'm overlooking something. Or . . . is it that they've purposely undersized the two buildings so as to undersell the amount of parking that will be taken? And, if so, is that a real issue?

[thelakelander]

^I doubt it. I'm sure they'll fit. They may take up some parking, but that's not a negative, imo.

[thelakelander]

Mayor Curry didn't apply vigorous scorecard exam to Shad Khan plan for $90 million project

As a candidate for Jacksonville mayor barnstorming across the county on a platform of law and order and fiscal accountability, Lenny Curry released a written plan promising voters he would subject any program seeking taxpayer money to a strict level of scrutiny, pledging to develop and use a scorecard "based on established goals and objectives."
That did not happen before Curry's office quietly filed legislation last week seeking to borrow $45 million for an ambitious plan — Curry's first large-scale proposal — to help build an amphitheater and indoor football practice facility outside EverBank Field, as well as upgrading the stadium's luxury seating area.

City Hall's contribution would cover half the $90 million cost, with the Jaguars picking up the remaining $45 million.

Curry told the Times-Union on Thursday the omission of the scorecard wasn't an oversight. He had never intended to use the scorecard to evaluate a project like the one he's pursuing at EverBank Field.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-11-12/story/mayor-curry-didnt-apply-vigorous-scorecard-exam-shad-khan-plan-90-million?utm_source=story_footer_recommendations&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=cxense

[finehoe]

Curry told the Times-Union on Thursday the omission of the scorecard wasn't an oversight. He had never intended to use the scorecard to evaluate a project like the one he's pursuing at EverBank Field.

So in other words, he only plans on "scorecarding" projects he's not in favor of.  Sounds fair to me.

[hiddentrack]

Curry told the Times-Union on Thursday the omission of the scorecard wasn't an oversight. He had never intended to use the scorecard to evaluate a project like the one he's pursuing at EverBank Field.

So in other words, he only plans on "scorecarding" projects he's not in favor of.  Sounds fair to me.

If you click through the link and read just one more sentence:

He said the scorecard — which has not yet been developed — would be used when private investors seek to use city incentives for their own assets. In the case of the amphitheater and the practice field, the city would own the facilities.

[Tacachale]

Curry told the Times-Union on Thursday the omission of the scorecard wasn't an oversight. He had never intended to use the scorecard to evaluate a project like the one he's pursuing at EverBank Field.

So in other words, he only plans on "scorecarding" projects he's not in favor of.  Sounds fair to me.

If you click through the link and read just one more sentence:

He said the scorecard — which has not yet been developed — would be used when private investors seek to use city incentives for their own assets. In the case of the amphitheater and the practice field, the city would own the facilities.

Come on, hiddentrack, you know reading sentences is not why we're here.

[UNFurbanist]

This may be a bit off topic but the usage of the bed tax for this project got me thinking... Could the city use this pot to fund something like revitalizing the emerald necklace? If done correctly using maybe  $5-10M and marketed well I feel like the argument could be made that the eventual emerald necklace park could be a tourist attraction that the city would own. It would also add to quality of life generally.

[RattlerGator]

It may be pie-in-the-sky, I know, but clicking through these slides:

http://www.slideshare.net/nflandtrust/onespark-prez-31499496

that Emerald Necklace idea sounds like an inspired effort. I know the "Healthy Town" project will be on the Southbank, but it sounds like it (and other projects) should be linked to this initiative.

[hiddentrack]

In their original presentation for the Shipyards redevelopment, Lamping mentioned integration/completion of Hogan's Creek cleanup with the Shipyards. The entire Emerald Necklace project is great. It should be the answer we point to every time someone says we should scrap the Skyway and turn it into a High Line style park. The Emerald Necklace would be a much more unique and useful park than any High Line copy ever would be.

[InnerCityPressure]

Is this $45 million coming from the coffers of the bed tax?  Or are we spending the future bed tax revenues on this?

[thelakelander]

bed tax.