Jaguars amphitheater, flex field construction to begin next month

[vicupstate]

The Baseball Grounds was built like 12-14 years ago or thereabouts, so you have to factor that in to get anything close to apples-to-apples.

[jaxjaguar]

The Baseball Grounds was built like 12-14 years ago or thereabouts, so you have to factor that in to get anything close to apples-to-apples.

Nearly $44 million in today's dollars. That stadium has also had some pretty major renovations since then. The new video boards and sound system are 1000x better than the originals. They've also updated their suites, the beer garden, kids area, etc.

[finehoe]

The tax dollars went towards an amphitheater which usually are less cool than the one we got.

We haven't gotten anything yet.

[tufsu1]

Who cares what it looks like, as long as its better than what is there now.

the same thing could be said about rundown buildings in neghborhoods....like Riverside & Avondale for example 

[tufsu1]

You people are acting like God himself was supposed to come down and dwell in this building as the remake of the Temple in Jerusalem.

actually that's a good analogy.  We've pretty much reached the point where stadiums are our modern-day cathedrals.  While governments once spent large sums of money on central churches and then city halls, our spending is on "public" stadiums for private sports teams.

[RattlerGator]

About Shad Kahn, spuwho wrote:

I cant speak for Stephen, but if the Jaguars or Mr Khan spent $20M on civic assets that had no direct financial benefit to them, his posture might be different.

This begs the question, spuwho: how can stephendare possibly know what Shad has and has not done in this community along the lines of philanthropy?

The answer: he can't; stephendare is no gatekeeper Shad Khan must answer to. Of course, sd is still free to delight in his status as slave to original project renderings. Bully!

RG,

I think you read a little too much in my nice early morning post.  I was trying to add context to the discussion by relating to an opposing viewpoint.

Maybe if you take the Donald Trump fan approach, just listen to what he means and not what he says, you might go farther in your discussions.

Otherwise, you should probably move on.

You were trying to add context, spuwho, where none was needed. No one is confused by stephendare and his rather unfortunately blind partisanship. How is one to go further with someone who only knows how to ape opposition, hmmm? As for my direct question quoted by you, and left unanswered, I'll repeat: how can stephendare possibly know what Shad has and has not done in this community along the lines of philanthropy?

The answer, quite obviously, is that he can't. No one on this board can. That won't stop the envious complainers, though. Stephendare loves to comment on this board as though he is entitled to *his* truth, and to hell with the objective truth. Okay. As long as his political opinion doesn't carry the day in Jacksonville, I'm cool with that. He can be all butt-hurt about it but that won't change things.

As for moving on, I'm not the one obsessed with the EverBank Field projects. Or their original renderings. Or the city code or state law that expressly permitted the funding approach utilized by the city and the Jaguars.

So, your move on advisory might be better directed to the bitch-and-moan crowd still commenting in this thread like junior high girls who didn't make the cheerleading squad.

[blizz01]

^hahaha.

[thelakelander]

Latest design for Jacksonville amphitheater called 'mediocre' by critics

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-08-23/story/latest-design-amphitheater-called-mediocre-critics

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I made it to 'Ted Pappas' and then really didn't give a shit to whatever else followed. 

This is the same Ted Pappas that wanted to 'replace' Monroe St. so close to the front door that drivers would have to navigate between the columns on the front porch of that architectural beaut' the Duval County Courthouse.

Does it look as good as the initial rendering?  Nope.  Do they ever?  Sometimes.  If you want to point fingers, then point them at the ones with the taxpayers' checkbook who approved the final design. 

VE = Very Eh

It's been stated here recently by benmarcus, but I have to agree with his sentiments:  Is there a person with actual Leadership qualities among the decision makers in this city? 

[KenFSU]

I made it to 'Ted Pappas' and then really didn't give a shit to whatever else followed.

Seems like any time a design is proposed, the Times-Union seeks out Ted Pappas to bash it.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-08-26/story/jacksonville-landing-proposal-gets-mixed-reviews-non-remarkable-design

[Noone]

You people are acting like God himself was supposed to come down and dwell in this building as the remake of the Temple in Jerusalem.

actually that's a good analogy.  We've pretty much reached the point where stadiums are our modern-day cathedrals.  While governments once spent large sums of money on central churches and then city halls, our spending is on "public" stadiums for private sports teams.

I'm voting NO to BJP-Better Jacksonville Parish
Extend the taxpayer collection plate.

[KenFSU]

Per the Jax Business Journal, Lamping confirms that the Jags have their eyes set on Met Park:

Lamping said the perception is something the Jaguars' developments are looking to remedy, though it will be an incremental process. A development for Met Park is something that could happen sooner rather than later.

"I think it's obvious that the closest connection to the stadium is Met Park. We believe that's an ideal location to create that connection," Lamping said, though he caveats. "There's a lot of work that would need to be done."

After the pension vote next week, though, Lamping said that more moves are coming.

"There's no question that the city's focus has been appropriately on solving the pension problem," Lamping said. "It sets the stage for some very exciting developments."

Full story: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/08/24/as-amphitheater-gets-off-the-ground-developers.html

[vicupstate]

Indeed, EverBank Field and the area around it fall within the zone overseen by the Downtown Development Review Board, according to city maps showing the zone's boundaries. The board reviews and approves new construction and renovations.

Oliver said the legislation approving the development agreement with the Jaguars does not require review by that board.

I don't understand why the project would NOT be subject to DDRB review. By virtue of being located where it is, it should be reviewed. 

Pappas said based on his experience in the architectural field, the changes in the design appear to be the kind of alterations that happens when costs get penciled in and features get removed as a result. Lamping said cost "did not come into play."

The main thing you need to know, even though you already did.

[RattlerGator]

Per the Jax Business Journal, Lamping confirms that the Jags have their eyes set on Met Park

Oh, boy. They're really gonna clutch them pearls now!

[KenFSU]

Corporate welfare debate aside, anyone else think that a land swap actually makes a lot of sense? Open Met Park to development (from whoever), and designate a portion of the Shipyards property as parkland. Met Park is pretty isolated in its current location, and you could use a portion of that Shipyards property to build a truly iconic central waterfront park for the community in a location that would genuinely improve the connectivity issue between the stadium district and business core, with less remediation than is likely necessary for commercial use. You could even connect it by kayak or water taxi to the District directly across the river. Not gonna lie, kinda love this idea.