Khan, Jaguars expect Lot J development to begin early 2020

[marcuscnelson]

Some excerpts from the Times Union's live blog on the City Coucil Lot J meeting:

Nate Monroe
@NateMonroeTU

Council member Ju'Coby Pittman is deploying an insulting argument that people are against this because they simply don't have all the information the council does (not mentioning she heard from a well-informed expert just a few hours ago who raised major issues over the deal).

Maybe the information Council has that we don't is the arm-twisting Curry and others are doing behind the scenes. 2023 is closer than you might think for many of these people, sooner if they have any aspirations outside of Council.

[thelakelander]

P.S. If the Jags do skim $200 million off the top, Paul Harden deserves half. Almost comical to see half of City Council openly asking him by name how they should vote on each amendment.

Yeah, it came off as Paul Harden owning council.

[jaxlongtimer]

P.S. If the Jags do skim $200 million off the top, Paul Harden deserves half. Almost comical to see half of City Council openly asking him by name how they should vote on each amendment.

Yeah, it came off as Paul Harden owning council.

No surprise.  He does seem to functionally own the City Council and has for years (I have heard people reference him as the "20th member" of the Council), regardless of who serves on it.  I  don't know his batting ratio, but it is likely over 90%.  It's outrageous how otherwise "independent" council persons fall under his spell.  I would suggest that since we got the Jags, he has leveraged his influence over the Council even more.  Wouldn't be surprised if he directs Shad on how to distribute his campaign contributions.  For whatever reason, most members seem to cower to him.  I have observed some that beat Harden-backed opponents in their elections but once on the Council, seemed to bend to Harden's wishes.   Would be worthy of an investigative story.

[Charles Hunter]

Yeah, it came off as Paul Harden owning council.

In breaking news .... water is wet.

[vicupstate]

I have heard people reference him as the "20th member" of the Council

He has a lot more influence than that. 2nd Mayor seems more appropriate.

[marcuscnelson]

New York had Robert Moses. We have Paul Harden.

[Ken_FSU]

Final prediction:

14-5

No's:
Carlucci
DeFoor
Becton
Ferraro
Hazouri

Moving Dennis to a solid yes after getting his amendments included (the developers put $2 million for Eastside businesses into a trust, and add $500k each year for the next 12 years; the minimum participation for small and emerging businesses and contractors upped to 30%).

I also think these amendments, plus supplemental information that's going to come out involving Jacksonville's debt capacity (and what that really means in terms of our ideal borrowing potential vs. actual borrowing ability) are going to put Jackson into the yes category as well.

I can't see any other yes's flipping.

More likely seems to be that one of the no's would flip yes.

Won't be Becton. Won't be Carlucci. Won't be Ferraro. Defoor seems unlikely. But I could see Hazouri voting yes even though he's fought and nail to strike down the breadbox loan.

I think the silver lining coming out of this, which Lamping acknoweldged numerous times yesterday, and is that the Jags are going to take a much, much, much different approach with any future negotiations going forward. You best believe they're going to be going through the DIA and vetted by City Council before any development agreements are drafted.

[marcuscnelson]

I think the silver lining coming out of this, which Lamping acknoweldged numerous times yesterday, and is that the Jags are going to take a much, much, much different approach with any future negotiations going forward. You best believe they're going to be going through the DIA and vetted by City Council before any development agreements are drafted.

I wouldn't bet on it. This deal's success proves that they literally can't lose. As long as they fight for it, and buy off enough Council members with minor concessions that don't fundamentally alter the deal, there's nothing they can't get. Paul Harden deserves a big bonus for delivering, and especially if Trevor Lawrence and whoever gets put in charge pans out, they can only slant things further in their favor. Imagine the size of the subsidies for Four Seasons or once stadium talks start up. If a bad team can wring this much money from taxpayers, a good team will be unstoppable.

[jaxlongtimer]

If this thing passes, the next best thing is it just squeaks by with the bare number of 13 votes to send a message to the Jags and the Mayor not to take the taxpayers for granted.  It would take 6 to come to their senses and do the right thing by the citizens of Jacksonville. Get 7 "no's" and its a real victory for the taxpayers.  A "no" vote doesn't necessarily prevent the project, it can just send them back to the negotiating table for a fairer deal. 

Those voting "yes" will be a great example of politicos doing the bidding of their donors, not their constituents.  Hope people are reminded of this at the next election.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2021/01/11/votes-falling-place-council-approval-lot-j-deal-khan/6600211002/

Lot J deal on verge of winning Jacksonville City Council approval

The Lot J development deal with Jaguars owner Shad Khan is poised to win City Council approval Tuesday with a super-majority of council members in favor of legislation committing up to $233 million in city money for a cluster of buildings anchored by a year-round Live! entertainment district.

The deal, which ranks as one of the most expensive for taxpayers in city history, needs at least 13 of 19 council members to approve it, a margin that is within reach based on a 15-4 vote Thursday night in favor of advancing the legislation....

[marcuscnelson]

How's the meeting going?

[Fallen Buckeye]

Hazouri's amendment to eliminate the breadbox loan was just shot down again 12-7.

[Ken_FSU]

This thing is gonna be close.

Starting to think there's a real chance Council votes no.

Could see it going either way.

[Ken_FSU]

Holy shit.

I think it's gonna fail.

Dennis is a no.

[marcuscnelson]

I'll be damned. They did it!

[Steve]

12-7 was the vote (needed 13).

No:
Dennis
DeFoor
Carlucci
Ferraro
Becton
Hazouri
Morgan