Possible relocation of the Fair (to Cecil Field) within 2 years

[blizz01]

Hmm - what could be done with the Fairgrounds?
Jacksonville Fair, City Hall in talks about move to Cecil

After giving talk about leaving downtown a lukewarm reception for years, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair officials have signed off on having the city study a possible move to the Westside.

The carrot that likely swung the fair board to consider the move is the opportunity to run the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, now run by the same company that manages Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and other city sports venues.

No formal proposals have been made and negotiations are in the early phases, according to the city and fair board.

Chris Verlander, president of the board, said taking over the equestrian center would certainly make moving more attractive to the fair.

The city has discussed the possibility of having the fair run the facility, but the details are far from being finalized, said Misty Skipper, spokeswoman for Mayor John Peyton.

The fair has a lease on the downtown property until 2025, and the financial numbers have to be right for such a move, Verlander said.

An engineering firm under city contract for parks work is now studying the costs of various utilities needed to accommodate the fair, Skipper said. The firm is looking at Normandy Boulevard, on or near the Cecil Commerce Center.

Talk of moving the fair heated up in the last six months, particularly after traffic problems when the fair and the 2008 Florida-Georgia college football game were held the same weekend.

One of the highlights in the city’s potential six-year extension with the two schools is the fair not be held the same weekend as the game. The two coincide every four to six years, Skipper said.

The fair occupies land near Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for two weekends every fall, and most years is up and running during at least one Jaguars home game.

Verlander said it’s becoming more clear the city would like the fair to move and the board is willing to be a good corporate citizen â€" if the deal is right.

In his pitch for raising property taxes last summer, Peyton said the equestrian center was among the city facilities that would close without a tax increase.

The equestrian center cost almost $40 million to build, part of the $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville plan voters approved in 2000. The city’s contract with management company SMG runs into 2012, but has language that allows the city to end the agreement with little notice.

Bob Downey, SMG’s general manager in Jacksonville, said the company would like to continue to operate the equestrian center but wouldn’t be shocked if the city makes a change.

City Councilman Daniel Davis, who represents the Westside, said he’s long wanted to move the fair close to Cecil, convinced the area is a perfect fit for the fair.

Verlander said the board is focused on this year’s fair, which runs through Sunday, and he expects the city to have a formal proposal early next year.

Even if a lease was approved immediately, Verlander said he expects the fair to remain downtown at least one or two more years.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-11-09/story/jacksonville_fair_city_hall_in_talks_about_move_to_cecil

[Omarvelous09]

I cant imagine the Fair anywhere but on the "Municipal fair grounds"....no brainer. lol