Recent posts

#51

Sports / Re: Pro soccer returning to Ja...

Last post by marcuscnelson - July 22, 2026, 08:28:41 PM

Another thing: Detroit just broke ground on their own new USL stadium and surrounding district:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/zacharysette_construction-detroit-detroitcityfc-share-7484763023719677952-4fsj/

What's notable to me is that this stadium costs about $150 million for those 15,000 seats, which leads me to wonder what that cost might look like in Jacksonville.

#52

Sports / Re: Pro soccer returning to Ja...

Last post by marcuscnelson - July 22, 2026, 08:14:33 PM

^ Someone on Reddit attempted to do that math last year but that was before more info was available:

https://www.reddit.com/r/USLPRO/comments/1ipu081/the_definitive_guide_to_whos_capable_of_doing_the/

Even now, Ricky Caplin's net worth is unclear, though presumably the proposed development would fit into their ability to run the franchise to that level.

Also worth noting that USL plans to introduce promotion-relegation upon forming the new Premier league, much like global soccer systems elsewhere, which might factor into how running this all will work.

#53

Sports / Re: Pro soccer returning to Ja...

Last post by Charles Hunter - July 22, 2026, 08:01:49 PM

Any idea on how the ownership group matches up with those requirements?
At least their proposed stadium meets the 15,000 capacity requirement.

#54

Sports / Re: Pro soccer returning to Ja...

Last post by marcuscnelson - July 22, 2026, 05:45:12 PM

Not sure how closely any of you have been following Sporting Jax, they had their first win against Pittsburgh's team last week.

In related (and interesting) news, the USL is planning to launch a Premier League in two years, which would be a Division 1 league (just like Major League Soccer), and apparently Sporting Jax has sought to join that league. The US Soccer Federation has some requirements for teams to be part of a Division 1 league, including:

• The team must play in a 15,000-seat or above stadium
• The team must hold a $1 million bond each season
• The majority owner of the team must have a net worth of $40 million, and the total ownership group must have a net worth of $70 million
• The team must have a youth development program

#55

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by jaxlongtimer - July 22, 2026, 01:32:42 PM

^ Ken, glad to assist.  I should also add that some TV, commercial, movie, recording and other media projects done in Jax have used WJCT's sound stage and other facilities for their productions.  Like many things, more there than meets the eye  .

#56

Science and Technology / Re: Wordle?

Last post by Charles Hunter - July 22, 2026, 10:07:08 AM

Wordle 1,859 4/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜  106
🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩    7
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜    3
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩



Connections
Puzzle #1137
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟦🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
leftovers


Strands #871
""What is ...""
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵
some pretty strained links today


PIPS
Pips #339 Easy 🟢
0:39

Pips #339 Medium 🟡
10:21

#57

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by Ken_FSU - July 22, 2026, 09:56:31 AM

Putting this here as it doesn't fit nearly elsewhere:

I had no idea that WJCT had such a sweetheart deal with the city. 100-year lease, on city-owned land, for $1 per year. Extending through 2076. Was curious about the $30k lease subsidy in the 26/27 budget and read up on the deal.

Interesting to me that we talk a lot about DCPS keeping prime riverfront property off the tax rolls, or the jail being a missed opportunity, but we don't really discuss WJCT. Seems like it could be some pretty valuable land once Met Park is revamped and the stadium and Four Seasons projects wrap.

Think we'll ever try to negotiate a move off the river for WJCT?

In fairness, when WJCT built a state of the art station/studio there, they were almost entirely surrounded by industrial facilities, a declining Colosseum and Gator Bowl .  That area had near zero appeal for anything else.  WJCT also produced the Jazz Festival for many years at the pavilion stage in adjacent Metro park that was, as I recall, built out around the same time as WJCT moved there from its original digs on North Main Street.  They recorded the festival and it was nationally broadcast some years on PBS which promoted Jax to a nationwide audience.

With the loss of Federal and State funding, I don't see WJCT moving anywhere (just like MOSH shouldn't have been moved).  And, no way the City has the resources to spend, likely, tens of millions to move them out.  FYI, they rent out excess office space to a number of area nonprofits, not unlike the Jessie building downtown.

Lots of nonprofit (e.g. WJCT, YMCA, Episcopal High, Bishop Kenny, MOSH, etc.) and government buildings (e.g. school board, courthouse, city hall) have been built over the decades on riverfront land or near it because those areas were industrial, brownfields or unappealing otherwise in the day and the land was dirt cheap.  They shouldn't all be penalized for being the tip of the spear for the development that finally comes around today.

Really interesting context, historically and on the non-profit side! Thanks for sharing, JLT!

[General Fund]

#58

Politics / Re: Deegan proposes $2.03B bud...

Last post by Ken_FSU - July 22, 2026, 09:54:49 AM

St. Johns County, with a population of roughly 350,000, is pushing forward with a budget of approximately $1.46 billion (down from $1.8b). By comparison, Jacksonville, with a population exceeding one million residents, operates on a budget that is only slightly above $2 billion. It's an interesting contrast when looking at budget size relative to population. Obviously, SJC has seen significant growth so infrastructure plays a huge role in their budget.

This is where AI models can easily get confused.

Co-pilot is comparing Jacksonville's General Fund (the flexible, day-to-day, spendable money that the mayor has the power to budget) to St. Johns County's overall budget. St. John County's "general fund" equivalent is around $400 million. They're also very different scenarios (consolidated city/county government vs. non), so it can be a bit of an apples to oranges comparison. Big-picture, Jax is about 3x the size of SJC, operates at roughly 3x the budget, and per capita spending per citizen is nearly identical for the two markets.

#59

Politics / Re: Deegan proposes $2.03B bud...

Last post by Jagsdrew - July 22, 2026, 08:59:02 AM

Seems like a solid, fiscally responsible budget, given the uncertainty about the property tax situation. Relatively flat. Doesn't draw from reserves. Happy to see $25 million for septic tank phaseout. Was a little worried to only see $5 million in the budget for Shipyards West or any money for Met Park, until I remembered that the money was already appropriated in this year's budget. Happy to see $6.5 million set aside this Fiscal Year for JWJP, presumably for a redesign, even though I'm not a fan at all of the concept that Hood designed. Happy to see $8 million for the Emerald Trail Hogan's Creek leg.

I'm sure the nerds will find something to complain about.

Copilot said:

We'll have to see how the budget discussions unfold during the council meetings.

One item I found particularly interesting is that St. Johns County, with a population of roughly 350,000, is pushing forward with a budget of approximately $1.46 billion (down from $1.8b). By comparison, Jacksonville, with a population exceeding one million residents, operates on a budget that is only slightly above $2 billion. It's an interesting contrast when looking at budget size relative to population. Obviously, SJC has seen significant growth so infrastructure plays a huge role in their budget.

#60

Transportation, Mass Transit & Infrastructure / Re: JTA Plans Major 2027 Cuts

Last post by CityLife - July 22, 2026, 08:57:48 AM

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/jul/21/its-official-jta-ceo-nat-ford-is-headed-to-texas/

Great Quote: "DART's board chair said he spoke to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, along with JTA board members. Chair Randall Bryant said Deegan told him that 'I hope Dallas is fortunate enough to get him.'"

Any else see the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode called, "Foisted"? If not, watch it.

HAHAHA. I was drafting the post below and then saw your post before I posted it. Please anyone, feel free to keep riffing on the joke. So many options.

The DART Board Chair seeing the calendar invite for his 12th dinner in 2 months with Japanese and German Autonomous Companies:



Well done Donna.