90 Million more to be spent on Everbank Stadium?

[edjax]

I've been out of town for most of my time this week, so I haven't had a chance to closely follow the debate with Khan. However, I will say that it's becoming clearly evident that Khan marches to the beat of a different drum than most traditionally associated with DT Jax development. Some of the uses being proposed and the type of architecture representing them are clearly things that Jax has long lacked.

Also, this stuff changes the entire concept of what the Sports District can be. Assuming this particular project becomes reality, what's the point of Metropolitan Park? Can it be something else? If so, what? His old concept for the Shipyard also changes, since there would be no need for a waterfront indoor practice facility. Last, as the Sports District starts densifying with a mix of an around-the-clock uses/events, how does mobility (Skyway, Hogans Creek Greenway, Hart Bridge ramps, etc.) play into this?

Lots of big questions to consider for little ole Jax.

Agree.  And if there ever was a city that needed to start marching to a different drum this is certainly the one.  Removing the amphitheater from metro park would still allow for considerable green space and perhaps even using a portion on the shipyard site for development. Development that wouldn't have to wait for remediation and would be close to a growing entertainment complex.

[fsujax]

I don't have any problem with it either. I think Khan is a smart man and he knows how to deliver and the City is smart to partner with him. Any improvements that are made around the stadium are a good thing and I see it as beneficial to the city as a whole.

[Tacachale]

I've been out of town for most of my time this week, so I haven't had a chance to closely follow the debate with Khan. However, I will say that it's becoming clearly evident that Khan marches to the beat of a different drum than most traditionally associated with DT Jax development. Some of the uses being proposed and the type of architecture representing them are clearly things that Jax has long lacked.

Also, this stuff changes the entire concept of what the Sports District can be. Assuming this particular project becomes reality, what's the point of Metropolitan Park? Can it be something else? If so, what? His old concept for the Shipyard also changes, since there would be no need for a waterfront indoor practice facility. Last, as the Sports District starts densifying with a mix of an around-the-clock uses/events, how does mobility (Skyway, Hogans Creek Greenway, Hart Bridge ramps, etc.) play into this?

Lots of big questions to consider for little ole Jax.

Agree.  And if there ever was a city that needed to start marching to a different drum this is certainly the one.  Removing the amphitheater from metro park would still allow for considerable green space and perhaps even using a portion on the shipyard site for development. Development that wouldn't have to wait for remediation and would be close to a growing entertainment complex.

total bs. 
a 'sports district'?

Please, what even is that?  A stadium used once or twice a month surrounded by practice fields and green space?  there is another word for this: Dead zone.

Well, it's no giant glass needle on riverfront property, but I expect a concert amphitheater and an indoor field will draw some crowds downtown.

[edjax]

I've been out of town for most of my time this week, so I haven't had a chance to closely follow the debate with Khan. However, I will say that it's becoming clearly evident that Khan marches to the beat of a different drum than most traditionally associated with DT Jax development. Some of the uses being proposed and the type of architecture representing them are clearly things that Jax has long lacked.

Also, this stuff changes the entire concept of what the Sports District can be. Assuming this particular project becomes reality, what's the point of Metropolitan Park? Can it be something else? If so, what? His old concept for the Shipyard also changes, since there would be no need for a waterfront indoor practice facility. Last, as the Sports District starts densifying with a mix of an around-the-clock uses/events, how does mobility (Skyway, Hogans Creek Greenway, Hart Bridge ramps, etc.) play into this?

Lots of big questions to consider for little ole Jax.

Agree.  And if there ever was a city that needed to start marching to a different drum this is certainly the one.  Removing the amphitheater from metro park would still allow for considerable green space and perhaps even using a portion on the shipyard site for development. Development that wouldn't have to wait for remediation and would be close to a growing entertainment complex.

total bs. 
a 'sports district'?

Please, what even is that?  A stadium used once or twice a month surrounded by practice fields and green space?  there is another word for this: Dead zone.

Well I actually referred to it as an Entertainment District. But Sports District is ok too as there is also an arena and baseball park in the district.  They play sports in those facilities too!!! Maybe not the type of sports you know of?  I dunno.

[thelakelander]

I thought the area was officially called the Sports District by COJ?

[jaxjags]

I believe Khan is taking this approach so as to have an indoor practice facility now. He initial thought was that the Shipyards deal could also move this quick, but that is not going to happen. Too many hoops to jump through. So, let's build an indoor practice facility and redo the clubs ($45 million from his pocket +/-) and see if city is willing to pay for an amphitheater. He now has two items/venues on his Shipyards list, and they can be completed in less than a year and not 5 years. Also, with this plan the city will own the facilities on city property.

[thelakelander]

I thought the area was officially called the Sports District by COJ?

Its as good an idea as the 'government center' or any of their other badly executed concepts that don't take into account organic use or economics.

I wasn't debating the validity of the name. I mentioned it to highlight a certain area of the urban core where a larger discussion about its future should be taking place.

[Tacachale]

I thought the area was officially called the Sports District by COJ?

Its as good an idea as the 'government center' or any of their other badly executed concepts that don't take into account organic use or economics.

I wasn't debating the validity of the name. I mentioned it to highlight a certain area of the urban core where a larger discussion about its future should be taking place.

I'm sure everyone else understood that.

[BridgeTroll]

I thought the area was officially called the Sports District by COJ?

Its as good an idea as the 'government center' or any of their other badly executed concepts that don't take into account organic use or economics.

I wasn't debating the validity of the name. I mentioned it to highlight a certain area of the urban core where a larger discussion about its future should be taking place.

I'm sure everyone else understood that.

Well... most of us 

[thelakelander]

I believe Khan is taking this approach so as to have an indoor practice facility now. He initial thought was that the Shipyards deal could also move this quick, but that is not going to happen. Too many hoops to jump through. So, let's build an indoor practice facility and redo the clubs ($45 million from his pocket +/-) and see if city is willing to pay for an amphitheater. He now has two items/venues on his Shipyards list, and they can be completed in less than a year and not 5 years. Also, with this plan the city will own the facilities on city property.

Khan's clearly from a world where making things happen doesn't move at a snail's pace or require decades of study. It's nice to see. In the world of professional sports owners, Jax is lucky. Hopefully, some of that zeal rubs off on us locally.

[Cheshire Cat]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/jaguars-city-propose-90m-amphitheater-indoor-practice-field-stadium-improvements/36283342


Questions are being asked.  While the administration seems poised to embrace the idea others who pay close attention to our city finances are asking why"

[thelakelander]

I'd like to see Metro Park gone if a new amphitheater is built. It's a pitiful disconnected spot that could be something much better.

[spuwho]

Parking is already available, so no need for yet more garages. More revenue generation in the same city owned space.

Though I wonder how any future Shipyards residents will feel about a concert venue in their proximity. The Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park in Chicago created alot of negative buzz with the residents in the surrounding high rises complaining of the frequency of late night noise.

Outdoor concert pavilions need to be either in the boonies or face away from civilization. In this case, it will be neither.

[thelakelander]

Just tossing this out there....perhaps the Shipyards shouldn't have a ton of future residential uses? Maybe Metropolitan Park is in the wrong location? What are we going to do when the time comes to replace the Hart Bridge ramps? What if the market decides that the predetermined uses we've identified for a few of these sites aren't feasible?

[jaxjaguar]

If the structure is built to be anything like the renderings I think the noise would be directed towards the core. Obviously, there would be some sound bleeding if it's open to the air at all, but you could direct it away from the future shipyards residences. A relatively cheap solution would be to put a large, stepped, berm with foliage on top along the side facing downtown. This could be blended nicely into that rendering to make a "natural modern design".  It would also give people a place to sit at an elevation if they were further away, as well as direct sound away from residences.

The current rendering shows the practice field in between the amphitheater and the river which should provide sound protection for those across the river who usually complain.