Jaguars: Stadium needs millions

[Shwaz]

Chicago's new stadium seats 20K for soccer games... JMS is much too big and would cost $148,000,000 to decontruct and fit to size.

[tufsu1]

I am curious to see what the 37 million for "video boards" is.

I am sure that its just standard maintenance 

[GatorShane]

Winthrop,

/quote] We have to realize that in the big scheme of things we are a relatively young  and new city when it comes to our ability to have everything in our downtown that all of the other major cities do. Do I think there are more important things we could spend this money on? Sure I do. But 
I still think this is a sound investment for our future. 

Jacksonville is no where near to being young and new when it comes to having things in our downtown. If that were the case, how in the world would we able to host the NFL's biggest show the SB. Sure good and bad came out of that. National awarness was increased. It cost money have a NFL team, the city was aware of this before trying to get one. The main problem with downtown has been a long list of poor decision making and a resident population not aware or concerned enough to make city officials held accountable for their actions.

Keith-N-Jax, I realize Jax has always had certain things downtown. What I meant by being young and new was that other cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Boston have been developing there downtowns for 100 to 200 years. Jacksonville, because of all of the destruction of so much of our urban fabric during the sixties and the seventies, we only really started to redevelop our downtown in a serious way in the mid to late eighties. I am in no way comparing Jax to these cities that I mentioned, but these are cities that have constantly been developing there downtowns for decades longer  than Jacksonville..

[civil42806]

I have another idea to use the stadium and tickets would be cheaper....  MLS is expanding...  they are looking to add 2 more teams.....  Imagine getting a $20 ticket to go the stadium and seeing an MLS game... or the Stadium actually being able to host concerts again...   and taking the Skyway from the Southbank, all the way to Stadium for that game!

So the city that has trouble selling out 10 games of a sport more popular is going to sell out 81 (home games) of a sport less popular?

$148 million would even extent the skyway another 5 miles. I love the idea of public rail transportation, but I truely believe this city is too spread out to make it logical.

I think you are confusing MLB - Major League Baseball, with MLS - Major League Soccer.

Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and was founded in 1996, after the country hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Now in its 13th season in 2008, MLS is experiencing a period of growth highlighted by expansion, the construction of soccer-specific stadiums, and the addition of new investors. The San Jose Earthquakes joined the League as an expansion team this year. Seattle will be home to an expansion team named Seattle Sounders FC in 2009 and the Philadelphia area will be home to the 16th team in 2010. The League announced in July 2008 that expansion to 18 teams will be completed by 2011.

TEAMS:
Eastern Conference:
Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution
New York Red Bulls
Toronto FC

Western Conference:
Chivas USA
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Los Angeles Galaxy
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes

Seattle begins play in 2009, Philadelphia in 2010; their conference affiliations will be announced at a later date.
SEASON:

    * The 2008 MLS regular season opens March 29 and ends Oct. 26. The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Oct 30. MLS Cup 2008, the League's championship game, will take place Nov. 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
    * In 2008 the 14 MLS teams will each play a 30-game regular season and eight teams will advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs. The top three teams in each conference, plus two "wild cards" with the most points after 30 games, regardless of conference, will qualify. The team that finishes with the most regular season points is awarded the Supporters' Shield and earns an automatic bid to the annual CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament.
http://web.mlsnet.com/about/

A 30 game season would be 15 home games.  If the tickets are reasonably priced, I can see good attendance at these games.  The old Tea Men drew good crowds.  A quick look at the DC United (Washington DC's team) shows single game tickets range from $22 - $50, with various discounts from those prices.

psst - Bridge Troll - only 31 NFL cities, New York has 2 teams

Having attended almost all the Tea Men games, only missed one, they did NOT draw well usually around 8000 for the average game.  Loved them but MLS would be a major bust here

[civil42806]

I've purchashed tickets as low as $42. I just dont see where that's exspensive(jmo). They also offer a payment plan on season tickets where you can pay through out the yr before the season starts so there's options out there for those who want to go, but may not have the cash all at one time.

Jax is better off with the Jags than without imo. There's no other sport you can bring here and get the same crowd we get on Sunday even with out a sell out. 32 cities have NFL teams I think we are lucky to have one.

The Jaguars as a team(organization) just need to get there act together and we will be fine.

Ticket prices are extremely reasonable for the jaguars, I pay 40 a game, have two, though I have someone else using my tickets.  My mother who is 78 has a season ticket for gods sake.  If she can afford it on a fixed income almost anyone in jacksonville can.  The key is to limit the other expenses associated with the game.

[Coolyfett]

We'll add the Skyway about the time Orange Park and St. Augustine are added to the Orlando SMA.

Take a bus

Uh Oh....

[brainstormer]

Two quick points.  One, I work at the stadium and behind the scenes there are a lot of structural problems including broken plumbing, electrical problems and many "interior" needs to various parts of the stadium.  Some of you might not know that the dining areas are used weekly for corporate trainings, meetings and dinners.  The kitchen areas and dining facilities bring in revenue on top of game days, and deserve a makeover as well.  There are definitely upgrades needed, although 148 million does seem a bit steep.  I guess if you compare it to the cost of the new courthouse, it seems like nothing!  
My second point is I agree with those of you saying we need to invest in not just the stadium, but the surrounding area as well.  We should have a skyway extension open at the same time the makeover is finished.  A big unveiling seems appropriate!  We also need to invest in the riverfront to better connect the stadium and arena to the downtown core.  Since the city runs the stadium, we should get on the ball and start promoting for more than the monster truck rally.  If we spend 150 million to upgrade there isn't a reason why we couldn't have concerts and other large events happening throughout the year.  Perhaps we need to invest like other stadiums.  Lambeau field in Green Bay has pubs, the Hall of Fame and other tourist attractions open year round.  People go to eat at the stadium for lunch and dinner daily, even if there isn't a game!  What sorts of venues around the stadium would we need to help us draw concert headliners and other sporting events?  Hotels and restaurants within walking distance would be a good start.  Perhaps a new Met Park?  Moving Kids Kampus to a new location?  What infill do we need?  Does city hall even brainstorm like this?  Can we get someone with a bit of creativity in there?  Let's make the stadium the best there is, promote the hell out of it and create a destination for citizens and tourists alike.  We could turn a profit if city hall got off its ass and did something!

[ProjectMaximus]

I've seen bands in Jacksonville play to 20 people, when they play to 2000 in other cities...  

How does getting rid of an NFL team help this cause, a cable access show? I've played in orginal music live bands since 15 years old and if no one came to our shows we didn't blame the Jaguars.

Open your eyes, man!! I played in bands, too...in Gainesville, no less...and man, if not for the Jags, I'd be famous.

[ProjectMaximus]

Most MLS teams are now playing in soccer only venues. There are news one in LA, Chicago, Toronto and soon to be in NJ.

Would a proper pitch even fit in Jax Municipal?  Because of the curvature of the stands, the playing surface narrows in width at the end zones, and there's not much length beyond the end lines, either.  It would be a tight fit, if it fit at all.

It would fit, easily. A football field is 53 1/3 yards wide (160 ft). FIFA regulations, which MLS follows, requires a minimum width of 45 metres (about 49 yards). So a football field as is would do (the length falls within FIFA's regulations as well).

The real issue would be the quick demise of the Jacksonville Cyclones back in the 90s. And the fact that if MLS expands to Florida, it would be in Miami, where the La Liga giants, Barcelona FC, are sponsoring an MLS bid.

[alta]

Charlotte spent $248 million to build the Carolina Panthers stadium when the Jaguars were also awarded our franchise.  This is an impressive stadium if you have ever driven by it and and a great value considering the current construction cost.  We decided to build an inferior product built around an upper deck that was constructed for the Gator Bowl.  Doing research online the Panthers stadium has not had any upgrades.  The total cost for JMS with improvements is now $351 million and we will still have an inferior product. 

[vicupstate]

Am I the only one that thinks a 15 year product life is patently ridiculously?  Aesthetically, the stadium is fine.  If the plumbing and other internal systems didn't last but 15 years, someone needs to be sued. 

[ac]

Most MLS teams are now playing in soccer only venues. There are news one in LA, Chicago, Toronto and soon to be in NJ.

Would a proper pitch even fit in Jax Municipal?  Because of the curvature of the stands, the playing surface narrows in width at the end zones, and there's not much length beyond the end lines, either.  It would be a tight fit, if it fit at all.

It would fit, easily. A football field is 53 1/3 yards wide (160 ft). FIFA regulations, which MLS follows, requires a minimum width of 45 metres (about 49 yards). So a football field as is would do (the length falls within FIFA's regulations as well).

The real issue would be the quick demise of the Jacksonville Cyclones back in the 90s. And the fact that if MLS expands to Florida, it would be in Miami, where the La Liga giants, Barcelona FC, are sponsoring an MLS bid.

Hmm...that's what I get for not checking official sources for the dimensions.  I was seeing an average size of 70x120 yds.  I guess maybe the sources I found included bench area and end to end measurements instead of the regulation playing surface?  Thanks!

[Jason]

Charlotte spent $248 million to build the Carolina Panthers stadium when the Jaguars were also awarded our franchise.  This is an impressive stadium if you have ever driven by it and and a great value considering the current construction cost.  We decided to build an inferior product built around an upper deck that was constructed for the Gator Bowl.  Doing research online the Panthers stadium has not had any upgrades.  The total cost for JMS with improvements is now $351 million and we will still have an inferior product. 

The Jags' stadium has been consistently listed in the top 10 or better across the league for overall gameday experience.  The ammenities of the stadium have a lot to do with those rankings.  I'd say we do not have an inferior product.  IMO, in order for us to keep competing with the new mega stadiums just built and those to be built in the future, some upgrades are certainly needed.



Edit:  The Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is ranked #5 this year.... 
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/fansurvey/2008/index.html

[MattnJax]

Am I the only one that thinks a 15 year product life is patently ridiculously?  Aesthetically, the stadium is fine.  If the plumbing and other internal systems didn't last but 15 years, someone needs to be sued. 

As someone who's in the plumbing/mechanical industry, 15 years is about right considering the use.

[vicupstate]

Am I the only one that thinks a 15 year product life is patently ridiculously?  Aesthetically, the stadium is fine.  If the plumbing and other internal systems didn't last but 15 years, someone needs to be sued. 

As someone who's in the plumbing/mechanical industry, 15 years is about right considering the use.

The entire system?  Repairs and maintenance I can see.  The majority of the time no one or very few people are even in the stadium.