EverBank Field Development Renderings

[ProjectMaximus]

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

The impression I got was it's coming from future bed taxes as they commented about leveraging the revenue. And also cause there's no way we have saved $45 million collected.

[InnerCityPressure]

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

The impression I got was it's coming from future bed taxes as they commented about leveraging the revenue. And also cause there's no way we have saved $45 million collected.

That's what I'm getting, too.  We also used the same money for the scoreboards, so I am just wondering how far into the future this bed tax money is tied up.

FIRST COAST NEWS - The city is proposing to leverage bed tax dollars to pay its share of the projected $90 million in improvements. Currently, the city has a six-cent bed tax with revenues dedicated to specific needs.

According to budget documents, two cents generates almost $6 million annually. The city is committed to using two cents of the bed tax to support sports complex maintenance and improvements with another two cents going to pay down stadium debt. The remainder would be used to promote tourism.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/money/2015/11/10/bed-tax-everbank-improvements/75538754/

So, $18 million annually splits three ways - Sports Complex Upgrades, Stadium Debt, Tourism

[vicupstate]

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.

Yeah, the city OWNS it.  Because the city OWNS it, there will be no property taxes paid. Because the city OWNS it, it will pay for maintenance (directly or indirectly). Yet even though the city OWNS it, it will receive none of the revenues from it.   

Yeah, that is MUCH better than the city giving incentives to someone's private assets.


[Just so it is clear, that last sentence was sarcasm]

[vicupstate]

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

The impression I got was it's coming from future bed taxes as they commented about leveraging the revenue. And also cause there's no way we have saved $45 million collected.

That's what I'm getting, too.  We also used the same money for the scoreboards, so I am just wondering how far into the future this bed tax money is tied up.

FIRST COAST NEWS - The city is proposing to leverage bed tax dollars to pay its share of the projected $90 million in improvements. Currently, the city has a six-cent bed tax with revenues dedicated to specific needs.

According to budget documents, two cents generates almost $6 million annually. The city is committed to using two cents of the bed tax to support sports complex maintenance and improvements with another two cents going to pay down stadium debt. The remainder would be used to promote tourism.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/money/2015/11/10/bed-tax-everbank-improvements/75538754/

So, $18 million annually splits three ways - Sports Complex Upgrades, Stadium Debt, Tourism

Which begs the question, WHERE is the new money coming from, if the entire 6% is already spoken for?

As for the Emerald Necklace, because of the 2009 provision to devote 2% ONLY to the Stadium district, only the part of the Necklace that runs through the 'Stadium District (if any) could receive these funds.  That is my interpretation.   

[thelakelander]

^This would be a sports complex upgrade. A portion of the bed tax is set aside for these type of projects inside of the sports complex area.

Regarding the Emerald Necklace, there's already a decent sum of money set aside to construct a 12' shared use path along Hogans Creek between UF Health and Liberty Street. In the event, there was an extension to the south into the stadium district, perhaps it could be funded via the bed tax.

[thelakelander]

Mark Woods: Yes, let's build an amphitheater, but ...

Should the city use bed tax money to foot half of the $90 million cost of a new amphitheater and practice facility?

About two-thirds of respondents said yes. One-third said no.

Such tallies are, of course, quite unscientific. And 19 City Council members have the votes that count.

But if I were to give my two cents on this use of a piece of the 6-cent bed tax, I would add a third option — one that is way too long for any kind of online poll.

Yes, but ...

Yes, I like the idea of a new outdoor amphitheater.

Yes, I like the idea of an indoor training facility next to the stadium — mainly because I never liked the idea of one right next to the river.

Yes, I like the idea of all of this being paid for by others: visitors and Shad Khan.

But ... at some point I'd like to see Jacksonville take an unconventional approach to how we use our hotel bed tax dollars.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2015-11-14/story/mark-woods-yes-lets-build-amphitheater

[RattlerGator]

Stop with the yes, but stuff. Just stop. Admit it: this is a good utilization of the money, period. Why is that so damn hard for some of these folks?

[vicupstate]

A portion of the bed tax is set aside for these type of projects inside of the sports complex area.

This money is already being collected currently. What is it being SPENT on currently?  I'm speaking of this specific portion that is required to go to the Sports District only. 

[vicupstate]

Stop with the yes, but stuff. Just stop. Admit it: this is a good utilization of the money, period. Why is that so damn hard for some of these folks?

No. It's not. If this were something that you didn't personal benefit from, you would see the deal much differently.

[Tacachale]

Stop with the yes, but stuff. Just stop. Admit it: this is a good utilization of the money, period. Why is that so damn hard for some of these folks?

No. It's not. If this were something that you didn't personal benefit from, you would see the deal much differently.

Whether or not specific individuals benefit from an amphitheater, the city as a whole will. It's something we've needed for a long time and it should help us attract events that currently pass us by because we don't have this kind of venue.

[RattlerGator]

Vic, how in the heck am I personally benefiting from these enhancements? That kind of logic allows me to say just because *you* aren't personally benefiting you insist on talking yang about this good project.

Come on, Vic. That's unthinking junior high stuff.

Vic, make it plain. So what if the money is being collected and expended? So what? Are they proposing something illegal? Certainly not. So, are you bitching just to be bitching and . . . if not, what is the allegation? The six percent isn't already spoken for, the six percent is already slotted for categories of usage. Categories that allow for flexibility. Big difference from what you seem to be insinuating.

What is hard or confusing about this?

If I have things wrong, where am I wrong?

[vicupstate]

Rattler, 

I can't think of one thing I have seen you advocate in favor of on this website, that involved government spending on any level. However, when it involves the Jags/Khan, it is not only a great idea,it is not to be questioned. 

Obviously you  are a die hard Jags fan that receives personal satisfaction from anything that boosts the team in any way. I am just pointing out the motivation for your position on this.

The tax is already being collected. Is it simply being stockpiled or is it paying for something now? If it is paying for something now, what is it? Why is that funding no longer needed?   

The same money cannot be used to pay for the NEW projects AND still pay for whatever it was ALREADY paying for.       

[Noone]

Mark Woods: Yes, let's build an amphitheater, but ...

Should the city use bed tax money to foot half of the $90 million cost of a new amphitheater and practice facility?

About two-thirds of respondents said yes. One-third said no.

Such tallies are, of course, quite unscientific. And 19 City Council members have the votes that count.

But if I were to give my two cents on this use of a piece of the 6-cent bed tax, I would add a third option — one that is way too long for any kind of online poll.

Yes, but ...

Yes, I like the idea of a new outdoor amphitheater.

Yes, I like the idea of an indoor training facility next to the stadium — mainly because I never liked the idea of one right next to the river.

Yes, I like the idea of all of this being paid for by others: visitors and Shad Khan.

But ... at some point I'd like to see Jacksonville take an unconventional approach to how we use our hotel bed tax dollars.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2015-11-14/story/mark-woods-yes-lets-build-amphitheater

+2

[Papa33]

Is there a site  plan?

[mtraininjax]

Met Park is toast, its way past its useful life and all those boards along the river are just another Alvin Brown walkway away from a lawsuit.

as noted in another thread, I want to see some real to-scale drawings.  I am not at all convinced a 10,000 person capacity amphitheater can be "tucked in" between the stadium and indoor practice facility.  It seems more likely that some of the surface parking area would need to be used. 

Once Met Park is cleared, look for the space to be used for parking until the Shipyard plan comes about and then look for parking in the decks to come to help alleviate parking issues.