90 Million more to be spent on Everbank Stadium?

[Cheshire Cat]

Do you really believe there will be two practice facilities across the street from each other?

If you can get the taxpayers to foot the bill, why not?

Yes, this is the mindset that bothers me as well. 

[UNFurbanist]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city. Also what about Met park? It's literally right there and hosts concerts often. Should it be upgraded and improved? Sure! But at least then it would be a public asset and not just another thing for Khan to make money off of. I like Khan and love the Jags but this is kinda crazy.

[finehoe]

Connecting rather obvious dots isn't speculation.

That's exactly what it is: 

"the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence"

[Tacachale]

Connecting rather obvious dots isn't speculation.

That's exactly what it is: 

"the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence"

The "firm evidence" part is what's throwing you.

[finehoe]

The "firm evidence" part is what's throwing you.

On the contrary, it's what's throwing you.  Where is this firm evidence?

[Cheshire Cat]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city. Also what about Met park? It's literally right there and hosts concerts often. Should it be upgraded and improved? Sure! But at least then it would be a public asset and not just another thing for Khan to make money off of. I like Khan and love the Jags but this is kinda crazy.

This also crossed my mind.  What is the best use of these funds economically and as it applies to the fabric of a vibrant downtown?
I think when a "new" idea comes up the ability to look at how it would impact existing efforts is lost in the rush to spend money.  Lenny Curry  is obviously enamored of sports, Shad Khan and the Jaguars which is fine except when one is supposed to be unbiased when making long term moves on behalf of "all" the citizens of Jacksonville.  Khan invested in a sports team that continues to grow his personal fortune.  He has invested little money beyond that in the city itself. 

[Captain Zissou]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city. Also what about Met park? It's literally right there and hosts concerts often. Should it be upgraded and improved? Sure! But at least then it would be a public asset and not just another thing for Khan to make money off of. I like Khan and love the Jags but this is kinda crazy.

I agree that it's absurd that the city seems to not have money for many worthwhile projects, but can shell out for this.  However, on the other projects you don't have someone who can fork up the $45M (unencumbered and in cash) on the spot like Khan can.  If Steve Atkins could throw down that much cash, I think the trio might already be under construction.

[MusicMan]

Does The City of jacksonville own EverBank Field? Does Khan lease it from CoJ?

This seems like a lot of money going inot a stadium that gets used by "the public" less than 15 days per year. Cannot see the amphitheater
being used much more than that as well, although you could tie in some concerts with some of the football games.

The Shipyards is DEAD. It is not going to happen as long as Lenny Curry is Mayor. He will never authorize he clean up, which is the Cities responsibility, so no one will be able to move forward on it.

[Tacachale]

The "firm evidence" part is what's throwing you.

On the contrary, it's what's throwing you.  Where is this firm evidence?

1. As I said, the city's CFO wasn't happy with Khan's Shipyards deal in large part because of the practice field and amphitheater elements.
2. Now Khan and the city are announcing a different practice field-and-amphitheater deal that apparently Sam *is* happy with.
3. It's the same two facilities in the same part of Downtown, right up the street

What is the more likely conclusion: (a) that the practice field/amphitheater project has shifted during the negotiations between Khan and the city, or (b) that Khan, after successfully negotiating the practice field/amphitheater deal with the city, would then continue to push for another practice field/amphitheater project that would make his own just-approved facilities redundant, and that the city has already said it doesn't like?

[Tacachale]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city. Also what about Met park? It's literally right there and hosts concerts often. Should it be upgraded and improved? Sure! But at least then it would be a public asset and not just another thing for Khan to make money off of. I like Khan and love the Jags but this is kinda crazy.

That's a pretty decent cost for that type of facility. A good facility of that size in a good location is also one of the major amenities our city and metro area are missing. If they bring 50 or so events there a year, it would pay for itself pretty quickly, even minus the impact of thousands more people visiting Downtown. Metro Park is, unfortunately, not a competitive facility for events.

[edjax]

The "firm evidence" part is what's throwing you.

On the contrary, it's what's throwing you.  Where is this firm evidence?

1. As I said, the city's CFO wasn't happy with Khan's Shipyards deal in large part because of the practice field and amphitheater elements.
2. Now Khan and the city are announcing a different practice field-and-amphitheater deal that apparently Sam *is* happy with.
3. It's the same two facilities in the same part of Downtown, right up the street

What is the more likely conclusion: (a) that the practice field/amphitheater project has shifted during the negotiations between Khan and the city, or (b) that Khan, after successfully negotiating the practice field/amphitheater deal with the city, would then continue to push for another practice field/amphitheater project that would make his own just-approved facilities redundant, and that the city has already said it doesn't like?

Stop with the common sense.  That usually is not part of a narrative!!

[edjax]

Does The City of jacksonville own EverBank Field? Does Khan lease it from CoJ?

This seems like a lot of money going inot a stadium that gets used by "the public" less than 15 days per year. Cannot see the amphitheater
being used much more than that as well, although you could tie in some concerts with some of the football games.

The Shipyards is DEAD. It is not going to happen as long as Lenny Curry is Mayor. He will never authorize he clean up, which is the Cities responsibility, so no one will be able to move forward on it.

Yes the city owns Everbank Field. And yes the city would own the practice facility and amphitheater too.

[thelakelander]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city.

Not from the targeted source of funds. You could apply the cash to something like a convention center, but not on the Barnett/Laura, etc.

[edjax]

I'm totally fine with this..so whatever...

Then you deserve to be over-taxed and have your remaining income flushed down the toilet.

I personally do not think we are overtaxed in Jacksonville. 

[Captain Zissou]

$45M for an amphitheater?! I'm sorry but that's crazy. You could subsidize the Barnnett and Laura St. Trio for that money and it would do so much more for the city.

Not from the targeted source of funds. You could apply the cash to something like a convention center, but not on the Barnett/Laura, etc.

Maybe we need to set up a funding mechanism for things like the trio..?  Why doesn't the downtown TIF generate enough money to do a project or so like this every year?