Well there's a twist on the Armada to MSL Next/Eastside stadium story.
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/mls/2022/08/30/jacksonville-tim-tebow-launch-pro-soccer-franchise-2025-season/7893022001/
Quote
Most importantly, club leadership has yet to finalize a location for a stadium, although Livingstone said the club is "well down the road" on assessing the possibilities, which could include sites in Duval, Clay or St. Johns counties. He said that JAXUSL has been in consultation with Sports Facilities Advisory, a Clearwater-based athletic consulting firm, to assess further steps in the process.
Does this mean the Eastside (Sports Complex Adjacent) site is dead?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 30, 2022, 04:42:14 PM
Quote
Most importantly, club leadership has yet to finalize a location for a stadium, although Livingstone said the club is "well down the road" on assessing the possibilities, which could include sites in Duval, Clay or St. Johns counties. He said that JAXUSL has been in consultation with Sports Facilities Advisory, a Clearwater-based athletic consulting firm, to assess further steps in the process.
Does this mean the Eastside (Sports Complex Adjacent) site is dead?
TBD.
Worth noting that Tony Allegretti has signed on as a co-owner of the franchise.
Hopefully that's a good sign that whoever builds a soccer stadium in Jax will prioritize an urban, rather than suburban, location.
Orlando City beat writer thinks that the USL really wants a piece of the North Florida market, but that he still sees an MLS-affiliated Armada team with the proposed Eastside stadium coming out on top.
If the Armada plan materializes, it'd be fun to see the USL team set up shop in St. Johns County.
About the stadium location:
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2022/08/30/jaxusl-aims-to-find-the-right-location-for-stadium.html
Maybe they can build an island in that fake lake down in St. Johns?
Quote from: Ken_FSU on August 30, 2022, 09:16:45 PM
Orlando City beat writer thinks that the USL really wants a piece of the North Florida market, but that he still sees an MLS-affiliated Armada team with the proposed Eastside stadium coming out on top.
If the Armada plan materializes, it'd be fun to see the USL team set up shop in St. Johns County.
I didn't realize this was a competition! It feels nice to be desired. I must say, the Armada have really worked to build their own brand cachet, even with the financial setbacks. We'll see what USL ends up coming up with.
I'm curious what the site options are for the USL team. Seems like they'd want a lot of land to place a big stadium, presumably some ridiculous amount of parking,
and a training complex.
Armada are dead IMO.
Had three years to get a stadium moving and they've downgraded to a crappy standard of soccer. They're an irrelevance now and had enough patience. If they had their ass in gear this USL team wouldn't have appeared.
More meat on this already with the likes of Tebow and Livingstone involved.
Whichever team makes the stadium work will move forward, so probably whichever one is furthest along will come out on top. They may both move forward, but that's not likely sustainable. The stadium issue is the only reason we don't have a team already. We don't have a good place to play soccer, meaning either the city chips in (cities do chip in for USL stadiums, often in hopes of moving up to MLS eventually) or it's private funding. And as we've seen, that's a long row to hoe.
More than that, location makes or breaks these things. Accessible stadiums in centralized urban areas tending to be the more successful ones. Land in the suburbs is cheaper and you can do more with it (training fields, etc.) but in the longer term, most fans just aren't driving out to the burbs for minor league soccer.
Oh, and the idea that soccer-specific stadiums are necessary for success is a canard. That doesn't play out in MLS and it won't play out in the lower levels. It's location, location, location.
I follow a guy on twitter that seems to be pretty connected in the local soccer scene. In fact he worked for the Armada. Of course all of this his opinion but again he seems connected. He feels this endeavor is destined for failure and/or actually never happening. He cites the inclusion of Livingstone as one reason and says he was the primary reason for the destruction of the Armada. He also says that their association with Florida Elite as that organization is having some serious issues. Also his opinion if it happens it would be in St Johns county. He also states the Armada is NOT dead and from his connections he is hearing that the new stadium could start construction next year. Again, just sharing this persons comments.
I would bet on the USL group being more successful than whatever the Armada are trying to be. I've noticed there are some very dedicated Armada fan boys on social media. I don't see how anyone can expect the Armada to be anything more than the amateur team they have been for years.
Quote from: edjax on August 31, 2022, 11:05:42 AM
I follow a guy on twitter that seems to be pretty connected in the local soccer scene. In fact he worked for the Armada. Of course all of this his opinion but again he seems connected. He feels this endeavor is destined for failure and/or actually never happening. He cites the inclusion of Livingstone as one reason and says he was the primary reason for the destruction of the Armada. He also says that their association with Florida Elite as that organization is having some serious issues. Also his opinion if it happens it would be in St Johns county. He also states the Armada is NOT dead and from his connections he is hearing that the new stadium could start construction next year. Again, just sharing this persons comments.
So weird that a team would want to associate with only one club in town and not all of them. Seems like you are cutting your audience as I know JFC and Clay do not have the highest opinion of Florida Elite.
In addition to the USL Championship men's team, Jacksonville is also in line for a USL Super League women's team.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/06/22/watch-live-jax-usl-soccer-team-making-announcement-about-womens-soccer-in-jacksonville/
Stadium plans still undecided.
So, whats the deal with Sporting Jax? We're coming up on three years since this announcement, when the group gave a projected 2025 start. And claimed to already be progressing on a stadium.
The women's team is playing at UNF. But there's been no news about the men's team starting anytime soon. And no news on a potential stadium other than the Regency Sears rumors from last year.
The team is very active on social media, has sponsorship deals and has added celebrity partners. But nobody mentions when and where they're actually going to start playing.
Sadly and ironically, I just donated my T-shirt from a few Christmases ago to Goodwill...
Quote from: copperfiend on July 03, 2025, 03:28:18 PM
So, whats the deal with Sporting Jax? We're coming up on three years since this announcement, when the group gave a projected 2025 start. And claimed to already be progressing on a stadium.
The women's team is playing at UNF. But there's been no news about the men's team starting anytime soon. And no news on a potential stadium other than the Regency Sears rumors from last year.
The team is very active on social media, has sponsorship deals and has added celebrity partners. But nobody mentions when and where they're actually going to start playing.
Other USL teams were up and running in less than 2 years, this does seem a bit weird. But, they rebranded the Florida Elite club to their name and colors, so now you are seeing a bunch of those magnets around town.
My guess remains that Sporting Jax thought they were going to whistle into City Hall and get a boatload of taxpayer money that just isn't there at the moment for a soccer-specific stadium.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on July 08, 2025, 09:58:13 AM
My guess remains that Sporting Jax thought they were going to whistle into City Hall and get a boatload of taxpayer money that just isn't there at the moment for a soccer-specific stadium.
Hmmm, maybe this new arrangement may get the city to rethink this.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/college-football-legend-tim-tebow-makes-100-million-decision-on-wednesday/ar-AA1MlQtl?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=68c4188b3daf4a3bb23e083163f77d20&ei=16
That's an interesting, and fairly high profile, group of investors involved. It will be interesting to see the location of the stadium. It's been three years since they announced the team. I figured we'd known the stadium location by now.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/12/john-elway-tim-tebow-chick-fil-a-ceo-among-investors-planning-mixed-use-district-around-future-sporting-jax-stadium/
^ I wonder if World Golf Village area would be a candidate. It is adjacent to I-95, near tourist draw St. Augustine, had a similar concept of entertainment around sports and is likely closer to those that are soccer fans including the growing number of kids in St. Johns county. Add, Bucee's, Costco, Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops and more now at that interchange plus possible St. Johns County incentives for what likely would be its largest seating venue for events.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on September 12, 2025, 09:32:45 PM
^ I wonder if World Golf Village area would be a candidate. It is adjacent to I-95, near tourist draw St. Augustine, had a similar concept of entertainment around sports and is likely closer to those that are soccer fans including the growing number of kids in St. Johns county. Add, Bucee's, Costco, Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops and more now at that interchange plus possible St. Johns County incentives for what likely would be its largest seating venue for events.
St Johns County just released the responses for its World Golf Village RFP and neither involved Sporting JAX or anything similar. My bet would be Regency, Southside near UNF, or Bartram Park/Durbin area
The Tebow aligned group has a stadium rendering that sure looks a lot like the Regency spot.
(https://momentous-sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image9.webp)
https://momentous-sports.com/ (https://momentous-sports.com/)
Yes, looks like regency. Would be interesting to see what happens to impact church with all of this. I like the initial renderings. As for the team, i haven't followed it much. USL is making a bid for division 1. Wonder if Jax will apply rather than compete in the Championship league - not that they can't get promoted at the end of the season? ;)
The rendering doesn't look realistic. Impact, Dillard's and Blackwater own most of the old mall site. Impact and Blackwater's plans for their parcels don't match these renderings.
Let's add this rendering to the collection.
Why is everyone so negative on this site? Don't you want soccer in Jacksonville? Maybe the rendering is unrealistic, but taking shots at a possibility it's not what I think people wanna see. At least, I hope so. Don't be so negative. It might help you feel better to be positive about something.
Here's what Blackwater is doing with their half of Regency. Not being negative. Just being real about what's being developed on a chunck of the property:
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/regency-square-mall/XQGCV2YVIVHLND4YZQ6RK5U7L4/
Here is tonight's ActionNews story about the Regency connection. Still pretty iffy
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/sporting-jax-stadium-could-revive-arlington-with-housing-retail-sports/LEJR6BCF7BB7NOF4MD7VUJXGHU/
I'd rather get excited about this project, even if it is "iffy", that a drawing of a parking lot for the location of a Circle K gas station. That rendering if you call it a rendering was put out the December 2024, what are we seeing since then? How can you be negative about the possibility of something as significant as this proposal happening? Again it's iffy, that's better than having no dream at all.
I try to live in the world of reality. We've been around for a while with renderings in this town. I have 20 years of renderings saved at this point. We may run them as an article at some point.
On this mall property, a gas station and fast food restaurant will be under construction soon on the JCPenney side of the property. Neither are exciting, but that's what the actual owner is doing with their portion of the property. I look forward to seeing the Sears property being redevelop one day. When and if that time comes, it won't be what that rendering shows. I'm not being negative, I'm just stating what's real.
Quote from: thelakelander on September 16, 2025, 05:34:06 AM
I try to live in the world of reality. We've been around for a while with renderings in this town. I have 20 years of renderings saved at this point. We may run them as an article at some point.
On this mall property, a gas station and fast food restaurant will be under construction soon on the JCPenney side of the property. Neither are exciting, but that's what the actual owner is doing with their portion of the property. I look forward to seeing the Sears property being redevelop one day. When and if that time comes, it won't be what that rendering shows. I'm not being negative, I'm just stating what's real.
I would love to see a story on all renderings. There must be over 100 at this point. I know some were on Metrojacksonville when that was around. Great ones from 2010 when we moved here.
Quote from: dorsey69 on September 15, 2025, 09:28:52 PM
I'd rather get excited about this project, even if it is "iffy", that a drawing of a parking lot for the location of a Circle K gas station. That rendering if you call it a rendering was put out the December 2024, what are we seeing since then? How can you be negative about the possibility of something as significant as this proposal happening? Again it's iffy, that's better than having no dream at all.
Is this Tim Tebow?
Freddie T!
Let's see what happens. You may be entirely right, but poo-pooing the rendering without giving it a chance seems prematurely judgmental tome. I'd rather keep my mind open about the matter. Cleary, a developer would want to develop the property around the stadium to make a profit and there seems to be a lot of property at Regency Square that may be available to develop. Again, I hope the day never comes that I resign myself to compare in a project like this with a drawing about a Circle K gas station and parking lot. I hope that doesn't offend any Circle K fans.
I think all of this is premature and we should wait until Sporting JAX makes an official announcement on a location before making any assumptions about anything. If they choose somewhere other than Regency then this is all a moot point anyways
I don't have anything negative to say about the soccer project. I can't speak on it until there is a project with a selected site. I do wish we in Jax would stop putting out conceptual renderings so early in the process though. They mostly lead to let down for a general public that's not familiar with the development process.
I went to the Frontrunner/Community first ice rink to watch the jags away game this past Sunday. Great atmosphere, lots of ppl, decent food and drink selection. There's a lot for sale, probably not big enough for a 15k soccer stadium and entertainment district, but a better location than regency. It's right off of 95 and in a more centralized location + it's right off the highway.
They've held most of their press conferences there. IMO that would be a better location to redevelop into a true mixed use sports and entertainment district. Just sucks about the size and capacity of the property.
I have to think that anything like this would prefer being in proximity to an I-95 or 9B interchange. Adding another candidate, being near the new proposed surf park that has a similar idea of mixed use development around a sports themed activity. Surfing and soccer might draw a similar demographic, at least among young people, and their master plans might have some mutual benefits to each other.
They could put it near US 1 so it could be connected with commuter rail in 2100, lol
There is a new story on the Daily Record that Sporting Jax rep has made a statement that Regency is NOT under consideration.
They've narrowed it down to 54 potential sites.
How many more years until they announce their decision?
Quote from: edjax on September 17, 2025, 03:24:55 PM
There is a new story on the Daily Record that Sporting Jax rep has made a statement that Regency is NOT under consideration.
So now we can add that fake Regency rendering to our renderingville collection. Hoping no one's hopes got up to high looking at that thing.
Touché
I know we have asked this question before - "Can two pro soccer-development operations both survive in Jacksonville?" But, two articles in this morning's Jacksonville Business Journal's daily email bring it to mind. Again. Both were written by "James Cannon, Editor in Chief" of the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Quote
Local attorney Chris Campione becomes majority owner of Jacksonville Armada
Story Highlights
Chris Campione becomes majority owner of Jacksonville Armada FC soccer club.
Armada plans 8,000-seat stadium in downtown Jacksonville's Sports District.
Club aims to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2027.
Campione will oversee the club's next phase of expansion, including an initial 8,000-seat privately funded soccer-specific stadium in the heart of downtown Jacksonville's Sports and Entertainment District, according to the statement released Thursday afternoon.
The stadium, described as a multi-purpose community venue, will host concerts, festivals, tournaments, and national competitions in addition to Armada matches. Campione said the facility will feature modern amenities and flexible spaces to attract year-round events, serving as a "centerpiece for Jacksonville's growing downtown."
Under Campione's direction, the Armada are moving forward with plans to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2027, part of Major League Soccer's player development system. Campione also expressed interest in eventually bringing a National Women's Soccer League franchise to Jacksonville, ensuring equal opportunities for professional athletes on both sides of the game.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/10/30/chris-campione-buys-jacksonville-armada-fc.html?ana=e_JA_me&j=42276576&senddate=2025-10-31&empos=p2
and
Quote
Sporting Club Jacksonville to launch men's pro soccer team in USL Championship starting 2026
Story Highlights
Sporting Club Jacksonville will launch men's USL Championship team in March 2026.
Team will play at University of North Florida's 9,400-seat Hodges Stadium.
Club plans 15,000-seat stadium for both men's and women's teams by 2026.
Marking the next phase in its ambitious growth plan, Sporting Club Jacksonville will bring men's professional soccer back to the city for the first time since 2017.
The club announced Thursday that it will launch a men's team in the USL Championship — the nation's second division of professional soccer — beginning in March 2026. The move represents a major step toward Sporting JAX's long-term vision of creating a complete player pathway from youth development to the professional ranks.
The USL Championship, sanctioned as the second division of U.S. professional soccer, ... Matches are broadcast nationally and internationally on CBS, CBS Sports Network and ESPN2, and streamed on CBS Golazo and ESPN+.
The 2026 season will feature 18 home matches at Hodges Stadium, followed by the USL Championship Playoffs in November.
Its upcoming expansion includes a proposed 15,000-seat community stadium and training complex, to be unveiled in 2026, which would serve as a permanent home for both professional teams.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/10/30/sporting-club-jacksonville.html?ana=e_JA_me&j=42276576&senddate=2025-10-31&empos=p11
It seems a good journalist would try to integrate these story threads. Clear things up for us unversed in the intricacies of pro soccer leagues and player development.
I'm glad Sporting Jax is finally going to actually start fielding a men's team. But watching at UNF is not good.
They announced a men's USL team in 2022 and are now pushing back a stadium announcement to next year. This should not take this long.
Will be interesting to see where these guys ultimately end up. Have heard everything from Regency to ETown over the last couple of years. Shame that there hasn't seemed to be a path (or a desire) for downtown up to this point. Something like the Fairgrounds (if it were available, of course) with a shared sports & entertainment complex would be pretty rad. Armada do not seem like they will ever scale up operations.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/02/24/sporting-jax-hires-michael-mcnaughton.html
QuoteSporting JAX hires real estate veteran to lead stadium district development plans
Sporting Club Jacksonville is bringing on a veteran of some of the nation's most complex and high-profile real estate projects as it advances plans for a purpose-built stadium district in Northeast Florida.
Sporting JAX announced that Michael McNaughton, a nationally recognized real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience in large-scale development and mixed-use placemaking, has been named president of the Sporting JAX Development Company. In the newly created role, McNaughton will oversee all real estate, master planning and development initiatives tied to the club's long-term vision — including a proposed 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities.
"Innovation starts with top-tier talent," Sporting JAX Chairman Ricky Caplin said in a statement. "Michael McNaughton has led some of the most ambitious and iconic development projects in the country, playing a key role in shaping destinations like the Palazzo, Mizner Park and the new World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Michael bringing that level of vision and experience to North Florida is a game-changer."
According to the club, McNaughton will guide the creation of a purpose-built, community-centered sporting district designed to anchor professional soccer here for generations. The broader vision calls for a stadium integrated with entertainment, dining, family-friendly amenities, public spaces and year-round programming, with sport positioned as a catalyst for innovation, access and long-term social and economic benefit for Northeast Florida.
My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
Quote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on February 24, 2026, 05:17:44 PMMy gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
If they keep to the plans I heard a few months ago, the site makes a lot of sense for them as an organization, but it's unfortunately not downtown. What they're trying to do won't fit into downtown even if they were to get control of the Fairgrounds. It's very exciting and I think it will be great for them and the surrounding area.
Quote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on February 24, 2026, 05:17:44 PMMy gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?
Quote from: thelakelander on February 25, 2026, 10:16:05 AMQuote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on February 24, 2026, 05:17:44 PMMy gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?
This was my point of confusion as well. I assumed Regency was dead, given the plan that was released to turn the site into a series of suburban strip malls?
Quote from: thelakelander on February 25, 2026, 10:16:05 AMQuote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on February 24, 2026, 05:17:44 PMMy gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?
And that's just one of four owners.
Imagine a new soccer stadium on one side, a suburban strip mall on the other. And in between...a church in an old Belk and a Dillard's clearance store.
Maybe the team owners have deep pockets, or could partner with some deep pockets, and buy out the new owner of Regency Square. Then, they could develop it with a comprehensive master plan, and not a bunch of strip malls and out parcels.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on February 24, 2026, 03:41:23 PMWill be interesting to see where these guys ultimately end up. Have heard everything from Regency to ETown over the last couple of years. Shame that there hasn't seemed to be a path (or a desire) for downtown up to this point. Something like the Fairgrounds (if it were available, of course) with a shared sports & entertainment complex would be pretty rad. Armada do not seem like they will ever scale up operations.
A location like eTown that straddles the St John's/Duval line would make a ton of sense logistically, and financially. I think about the MLS stadium in Dallas being out in Frisco.
Quote from: copperfiend on February 25, 2026, 12:10:51 PMQuote from: thelakelander on February 25, 2026, 10:16:05 AMQuote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on February 24, 2026, 05:17:44 PMMy gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.
Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?
And that's just one of four owners.
Imagine a new soccer stadium on one side, a suburban strip mall on the other. And in between...a church in an old Belk and a Dillard's clearance store.
Impact was reportedly supportive of the stadium, fwiw. Though as I mentioned on the Regency Square thread, it's hard to imagine the pending litigation between them and Blackwater improving the prospects for the site.
What are the soccer demographics in Jax? It would seem to me that it is in the southern half of Duval and northern halves of St. Johns and Clay. If so, I would expect they would seriously consider sites at the intersection of these regions. Like in proximity to I-295 and I-95? Likely, could also find larger land parcels, if needed, for future growth/expansion, especially if they want to emulate the Jags and build an entertainment hub adjacent.
Would seem Arlington is off-center but maybe my perception is off-base or outdated.
Town Center area. They're on Live
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1272439971463425&id=1272439971463425&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MjQ3NTE1OTAwMCwiciI6IiJ9 (https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1272439971463425&id=1272439971463425&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MjQ3NTE1OTAwMCwiciI6IiJ9)
Press release here.
https://www.sportingjax.com/news/2026/03/02/sporting-club-jacksonville-announces-site-for-mixed-use-sporting-district/
"Town Center area" makes me think more like Seven Pines, unless that area across from Brightman Blvd is developable.
Edit: confirmed, it is that Brightman Blvd site.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HCbaTCNWgAAUAla?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Now would be a great time to start thinking about what longer-term mobility is meant to look like in this area, as Town Center Parkway is already packed to the gills despite six to seven lanes and Gate Parkway isn't faring much better. Even with added lanes on Interstate 295 and J Turner Butler Blvd, the resulting induced demand from this project, UNF's growth, Seven Pines, the Intercontinental Exchange campus, and the final few phases of Town Center itself is a lot of people trying to get around this somewhat constrained area.
I'm glad after four years there's some actual movement on a stadium. But the traffic in the area is already bad. This past Saturday, it was backed up to UNF. I can't imagine what it will be like with a soccer game bringing thousands more onto Town Center Blvd and St John's Bluff.
Funny but I was going to post a picture of that site a few days ago, but never got to it. Nice location. I am a professor at UNF and drive this every day. I do hope they plan for it. Traffic on the beltway segment really can get bad.
UNF FOOTBALL CONFIRMED
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSsYsqZjhRKeaKQgpRVGZ4ehaNv5eya2coSxlTXHGlv1cyWL0nv0RV0WEg&s=10)
But seriously, isn't there already a planned soccer stadium near Jags practice facility on APR Blvd????
Do we really need 2 soccer stadiums?
Quote from: JaGoaT on March 02, 2026, 04:41:11 PMUNF FOOTBALL CONFIRMED
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSsYsqZjhRKeaKQgpRVGZ4ehaNv5eya2coSxlTXHGlv1cyWL0nv0RV0WEg&s=10)
Quote from: JaGoaT on March 02, 2026, 04:52:48 PMBut seriously, isn't there already a planned soccer stadium near Jags practice facility on APR Blvd????
Do we really need 2 soccer stadiums?
Let's see one of them actually get built before we worry about that
So a town center next to a.....town center? What are the chances the two areas cannibalize each other's customer base?
As for the traffic, this area might be a more logical choice to run those U2C/Navi vehicles.
Assuming this happens - a massive assumption - the location could not possibly be any more perfect for what they're trying to do. Per the JBJ, the plans are to privately fund the stadium and development. I'm super curious to hear who they partner with for the sports & entertainment district aspect.
Quote from: Todd_Parker on March 02, 2026, 08:35:57 PMSo a town center next to a.....town center? What are the chances the two areas cannibalize each other's customer base?
As for the traffic, this area might be a more logical choice to run those U2C/Navi vehicles.
LOL they would still be empty. There's simply no appeal for something that will still sit in congestion with everyone else. Especially for the choice rider, which is abundant on that side of town.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on March 02, 2026, 08:43:37 PMPer the JBJ, the plans are to privately fund the stadium and development. I'm super curious to hear who they partner with for the sports & entertainment district aspect.
Sporting Jax ownership group building the stadium appears to be separate from the overall land developer per the Daily Record. The land developer group is described below and looks to be very deep pockets. Per property records, the seller appears to be the interests of George Hodges, Jr. You can bet he held out for top dollar given his family probably held the land for generations and had no real carrying costs, by today's standards, that would pressure him into selling it.
Quote...Sporting JAX's development project is backed by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, Tebow, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and Orlando-based Magnolia Hill Partners Family Office investments...
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/mar/02/sporting-jax-unveils-new-stadium-development-site-near-town-center/
Quote from: thelakelander on March 02, 2026, 09:06:13 PMQuote from: Todd_Parker on March 02, 2026, 08:35:57 PMSo a town center next to a.....town center? What are the chances the two areas cannibalize each other's customer base?
As for the traffic, this area might be a more logical choice to run those U2C/Navi vehicles.
LOL they would still be empty. There's simply no appeal for something that will still sit in congestion with everyone else. Especially for the choice rider, which is abundant on that side of town.
Thought I'd take a moment to look at the current transit in this area.
Looks like two ~hourly bus routes, the 8A (https://www.jtafla.com/media/u5dladov/bus-25104-route-8-january-2026.pdf) and 28 (https://www.jtafla.com/media/sn2hrjku/bus-25107-route-28-january-2026.pdf), get the closest to the proposed site, from Town Center to San Jose and Downtown, respectively. Route 23 (https://www.jtafla.com/media/g1xjmbxr/route-23-january-2025.pdf), slightly further and also ~hourly, is nearby on Gate Pkwy while running between JU and the Avenues, with the possibility of connecting to the First Coast Flyer Blue Line there. Through some connections you might also be able to get to the First Coast Flyer Red Line which would then take you out the Beaches or Downtown. And of course, these three being local bus routes, you are likely going to be stuck in the same traffic as all the cars, while also dealing with all those stops. I'm not sure we have ridership numbers for specifically those routes, but I can't imagine many choice riders on any of them.
There's also a campus shuttle (https://www.unf.edu/compliance/clery/certified.rf.20x25_CampusMap_TransLocUpdate.pdf) from UNF to Town Center.
I think the challenge in large part here is that this is presently a very suburban-styled area with a road layout very conducive to that, despite the amount of existing and planned density which then forces people onto a relatively small number of large roads. The way out of that really needs to mean choosing to invest in useful alternative ways for people to get around and within this area that aren't those same roads (or at least the same shared lanes on them), that are frequent and competitive with driving times, and completed on a timeframe that people feel inclined to at least try it occasionally if not use regularly. It should also, as part of this new development and in the longer run, mean modifying the road layout to support those alternative ways and not expecting every single person to drive themselves for every trip at all times.
NAVI (or something similar) might be useful for certain low-speed, first/last mile connections (alongside things like trails/wide sidewalks and rental scooters/bikes) from deeper within part of a development to a more central corridor (say, circulating within Town Center itself or within this stadium-anchored development), but there needs to actually be something substantial (with capacity) and rapid for a central corridor itself, whether that's to then connect major portions of this area or go to other major regional destinations (such as between Town Center and this stadium, or this stadium and UNF, or beyond).
Regarding the two team thing. Sporting Jax are much better positioned to succeed than the Armada. Sporting Jax are in the second division and the Armada are in the third division. I posted the following in a separate thread about the Armada two years ago.
I'm not too optimistic about the Armada's prospects. Especially compared to Sporting Club Jacksonville. The MLS Next League they are joining is basically just the reserve teams for MLS clubs. There are only two clubs currently in the league that aren't feeder teams for existing MLS clubs. The primary function of the league is to provide competition for youth players as a test to see which players (if any) are ready to get called up to the MLS feeder teams. But by and large most players in the future in MLS will not even come up through the league. Like in Europe, maybe a few players on the senior teams will have come up through the reserve team.
MLS Next is the third division, while SC Jax will play in the second division in the USL. With the direction soccer is headed in the country, the second division (like in England, Germany, and other European countries) can become fairly competitive and popular. The average attendance in the USL in 2023 was 5,552. This is more than the Jumbo Shrimp drew last year and over 1k more than Minor League baseball averaged. MLS Next games are mostly scrimmages with like 100 people at games.
Basically, I would bet a lot of money that SC Jax will be the more successful of the two clubs.
To marcusnelson's point, if (or as) the USL stadium area develops, JTA could add, or redirect, bus service into the area.
Action News (https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/sporting-jax-scores-home-town-center-neighbors-weigh/TJ5R6CX47BF7XPTN23DPGDXIDE/) talked to some of the people who currently have undeveloped woods as their neighbors, but will have this development in their backyards.
QuoteRoger Carlson has lived in his Southside neighborhood for about 13 years. He said he did not know about the project until Action News Jax showed him the renderings.
"I didn't know anything about it," Carlson said.
"It's just nice and quiet and jungle," he said. "I really hate to see it disturbed. We've had all kinds of wildlife and everything there, and so I do hate to see it disturbed."
Sporting Jax said in a statement:
"Today's announcement marks the beginning of a transparent and inclusive planning process. Sporting JAX is committed to working closely with surrounding neighborhoods, community leaders, and local stakeholders every step of the way. This stadium is envisioned as a true civic asset — home to our men's and women's professional teams while also supporting high school championships, youth tournaments, concerts, and inclusive programming for adaptive and special-needs athletes. We are dedicated to listening to concerns and being a responsible, communicative neighbor as we build something the entire North Florida community can rally around for decades to come."
There is not yet an exact groundbreaking date, but the club says it hopes to begin construction as soon as possible.
Poking around the COJ GIS Property Map, and doing a little arithmetic...
Most of the area, identified as Big Island Swamp, is comprised of two large parcels owned by City National Bank of Florida Trustee. Together, they are nearly 309 acres. There are two undeveloped parcels along Alumni Way: Alumni Way Business Park (2.67 acres) and First Coast Properties Group III (2.79 acres). Together, they could provide a 5.5-acre entryway from the north.
Pablo Creek and its wetlands may restrict development along the eastern side and access from St. Johns Bluff Road.
If they acquire the two parcels on Alumni Way, they could have access from the north (Alumni Way), east (St. Johns Bluff Road), and southeast (Town Center Parkway). The southern boundary is a JEA powerline easement and various properties in the greater Town Center development. The western boundary, and much of the northern boundary is single-family homes along Daltry Way and Alumni Way, respectively. There is a 23-acre JEA substation in the southwest corner. Even with the potential Alumni Way access, all traffic will come from St. Johns Bluff Road and I-295 via Town Center Parkway. Not good.
Quote from: CityLife on March 03, 2026, 08:38:30 AMRegarding the two team thing. Sporting Jax are much better positioned to succeed than the Armada.
Would be interesting if Sporting Jax allowed the Armada to use its stadium rather than building their own. Would likely make the Armada's financial outlook a bit better, but still, no guarantees.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 12:06:47 AMNAVI (or something similar) might be useful for certain low-speed, first/last mile connections (alongside things like trails/wide sidewalks and rental scooters/bikes) from deeper within part of a development to a more central corridor (say, circulating within Town Center itself or within this stadium-anchored development), but there needs to actually be something substantial (with capacity) and rapid for a central corridor itself, whether that's to then connect major portions of this area or go to other major regional destinations (such as between Town Center and this stadium, or this stadium and UNF, or beyond).
I don't see NAVI competing with Uber, Lift, Waymo here than any better Downtown. If anything, the younger population likely dominating this area is more attuned to the non-NAVI options than anything JTA puts up.
I would agree that, like Downtown, this area could soon justify a circulating/loop bus between UNF, Town Center, Sporting Jax, and maybe the end of Baymeadows. Not holding my breath since Downtown doesn't have a circulator after decades of neglect. JTA would rather do "sexy" NON-mass transit NAVI and the Skyway than create true mass transit that is a lot more useful to the public.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on March 03, 2026, 01:00:43 PMQuote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 12:06:47 AMNAVI (or something similar) might be useful for certain low-speed, first/last mile connections (alongside things like trails/wide sidewalks and rental scooters/bikes) from deeper within part of a development to a more central corridor (say, circulating within Town Center itself or within this stadium-anchored development), but there needs to actually be something substantial (with capacity) and rapid for a central corridor itself, whether that's to then connect major portions of this area or go to other major regional destinations (such as between Town Center and this stadium, or this stadium and UNF, or beyond).
I don't see NAVI competing with Uber, Lift, Waymo here than any better Downtown. If anything, the younger population likely dominating this area is more attuned to the non-NAVI options than anything JTA puts up.
I would agree that, like Downtown, this area could soon justify a circulating/loop bus between UNF, Town Center, Sporting Jax, and maybe the end of Baymeadows. Not holding my breath since Downtown doesn't have a circulator after decades of neglect. JTA would rather do "sexy" NON-mass transit NAVI and the Skyway than create true mass transit that is a lot more useful to the public.
NAVI as-is, absolutely not. It doesn't run frequently enough, and trying to force it to be the actual major transit system has been awful. What I'm talking about is specifically things like shuffling around the parking lots at Town Center, where there's already some (but not overwhelmingly so) traffic, or maybe doing the work the Osprey Connector currently does on UNF's campus. That kind of thing, frequently at all hours of the day & night, might have some promise with decent cost control and not the lavish spending on Beep and nonsense promises that JTA does now.
The challenge with a circulating bus to actually do the major transit system work is, as I mentioned earlier, that all these major roads are already going to be full of people driving around, especially once the stadium and Seven Pines are built out and UNF grows more, so being stuck in that same traffic is not going to be appealing to the people we need to be riding this. Maybe late at night when things are calmer but people still need to get home from bars and whatnot, but not during the day or especially rush hour. We need to figure out a way to make these connections that is not going to be severely impacted by existing and future road traffic.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 02:40:38 PMQuote from: jaxlongtimer on March 03, 2026, 01:00:43 PMQuote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 12:06:47 AMNAVI (or something similar) might be useful for certain low-speed, first/last mile connections (alongside things like trails/wide sidewalks and rental scooters/bikes) from deeper within part of a development to a more central corridor (say, circulating within Town Center itself or within this stadium-anchored development), but there needs to actually be something substantial (with capacity) and rapid for a central corridor itself, whether that's to then connect major portions of this area or go to other major regional destinations (such as between Town Center and this stadium, or this stadium and UNF, or beyond).
I don't see NAVI competing with Uber, Lift, Waymo here than any better Downtown. If anything, the younger population likely dominating this area is more attuned to the non-NAVI options than anything JTA puts up.
I would agree that, like Downtown, this area could soon justify a circulating/loop bus between UNF, Town Center, Sporting Jax, and maybe the end of Baymeadows. Not holding my breath since Downtown doesn't have a circulator after decades of neglect. JTA would rather do "sexy" NON-mass transit NAVI and the Skyway than create true mass transit that is a lot more useful to the public.
NAVI as-is, absolutely not. It doesn't run frequently enough, and trying to force it to be the actual major transit system has been awful. What I'm talking about is specifically things like shuffling around the parking lots at Town Center, where there's already some (but not overwhelmingly so) traffic, or maybe doing the work the Osprey Connector currently does on UNF's campus. That kind of thing, frequently at all hours of the day & night, might have some promise with decent cost control and not the lavish spending on Beep and nonsense promises that JTA does now.
The challenge with a circulating bus to actually do the major transit system work is, as I mentioned earlier, that all these major roads are already going to be full of people driving around, especially once the stadium and Seven Pines are built out and UNF grows more, so being stuck in that same traffic is not going to be appealing to the people we need to be riding this. Maybe late at night when things are calmer but people still need to get home from bars and whatnot, but not during the day or especially rush hour. We need to figure out a way to make these connections that is not going to be severely impacted by existing and future road traffic.
When I work from home, sometimes I'll head down the street to UNF for a bit to work from the library if I get cabin fever. Without exaggeration, between the Osprey Connector and the campus shuttle loop, UNF probably has the most reliable transit in the city. Nothing fancy. Nothing that reinvents the wheel. Just a dependable, useful service with short headways for moving people around the area. Exact same system could be deployed in the urban core at $400 million less than NAVI, with room leftover for a starter streetcar line or rail transit between Jax & St. Augustine.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 02:40:38 PMQuote from: jaxlongtimer on March 03, 2026, 01:00:43 PMQuote from: marcuscnelson on March 03, 2026, 12:06:47 AMNAVI (or something similar) might be useful for certain low-speed, first/last mile connections (alongside things like trails/wide sidewalks and rental scooters/bikes) from deeper within part of a development to a more central corridor (say, circulating within Town Center itself or within this stadium-anchored development), but there needs to actually be something substantial (with capacity) and rapid for a central corridor itself, whether that's to then connect major portions of this area or go to other major regional destinations (such as between Town Center and this stadium, or this stadium and UNF, or beyond).
I don't see NAVI competing with Uber, Lift, Waymo here than any better Downtown. If anything, the younger population likely dominating this area is more attuned to the non-NAVI options than anything JTA puts up.
I would agree that, like Downtown, this area could soon justify a circulating/loop bus between UNF, Town Center, Sporting Jax, and maybe the end of Baymeadows. Not holding my breath since Downtown doesn't have a circulator after decades of neglect. JTA would rather do "sexy" NON-mass transit NAVI and the Skyway than create true mass transit that is a lot more useful to the public.
NAVI as-is, absolutely not. It doesn't run frequently enough, and trying to force it to be the actual major transit system has been awful. What I'm talking about is specifically things like shuffling around the parking lots at Town Center, where there's already some (but not overwhelmingly so) traffic, or maybe doing the work the Osprey Connector currently does on UNF's campus. That kind of thing, frequently at all hours of the day & night, might have some promise with decent cost control and not the lavish spending on Beep and nonsense promises that JTA does now.
The challenge with a circulating bus to actually do the major transit system work is, as I mentioned earlier, that all these major roads are already going to be full of people driving around, especially once the stadium and Seven Pines are built out and UNF grows more, so being stuck in that same traffic is not going to be appealing to the people we need to be riding this. Maybe late at night when things are calmer but people still need to get home from bars and whatnot, but not during the day or especially rush hour. We need to figure out a way to make these connections that is not going to be severely impacted by existing and future road traffic.
A NAVI has to navigate the same traffic congestion as a bus... but it takes far less drivers off the road. Multiple buses circulating frequently could possibly make a real dent in traffic, especially where it is vehicles just moving from one store/restaurant/hotel/apartment/office buildings in the Town Center area to another like location in the area.
At some point, someone needs to start building parking garages in that area as parking is often at a premium already. If the garages where tied to mass transit routes, bingo, you have an even greater impact on traffic.
Not expecting JTA to even think about such possibilities given their narrow and single minded approach to mass transit currently... U2C or bust. All else falls by the wayside.
It would be nice if there was a true BRT with dedicated lanes that would travel SJTC- St Johns Bluff- Beach through UNF- 7 Pines- Gate- Back to SJTC. This would be possible with the will, regardless if this stadium happens.
The concept art looks amazing, let's see if it actually ends up being a true walkable mixed use hub. I would love that. I had this idea of complementing the Emerald Trail with the "Ruby Trail" connecting the beaches, and the Sapphire Trail in the Gate Parkway, Town Center, UNF area.
Livingstone out as Sporting Jax president (https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/livingstone-out-as-sporting-jax-president-warburton-promoted/77-fc744e8f-6e81-40f2-84d9-64e16afb4944)
Does not seem like a good sign that the club has already parted ways with it's president and CEO.
Quote from: copperfiend on March 25, 2026, 09:48:37 PMLivingstone out as Sporting Jax president (https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/livingstone-out-as-sporting-jax-president-warburton-promoted/77-fc744e8f-6e81-40f2-84d9-64e16afb4944)
Does not seem like a good sign that the club has already parted ways with it's president and CEO.
He was pushed out at the original Armada, too. Seems he may be good at start ups but not continuing operations. Not an uncommon situation for entrepreneurial types to find themselves in. Or, maybe it is something else ;D .