Donna Deegan won’t take office as Jacksonville’s new mayor until July, but she’s already feeling optimistic about future negotiations with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a stadium deal.
In an interview with A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics, Deegan said she’s already had “a number of conversations” with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and president Mark Lamping. While negotiations on the massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field haven’t started, Deegan says all parties have the same goal.
“I’m looking forward to a very productive negotiation season,” Deegan said. “I think that, frankly, we both really want to get to yes. That will certainly be a process, but I think it’s going to be fine.”
Jaguars brass are currently on a tour of “community huddles,” hosting 14 meetings with fans and Jacksonville residents to discuss the proposed renovation. Deegan applauded the team for putting its plans in front of the taxpayers.
“These huddles that the Jaguars are having right now, that was something that I asked them to do when I met with Mr. Khan months and months ago,” Deegan said. “I think it’s incredibly important to take what their plans are, put those plans in front of the public, and hear the concerns of the public firsthand. … I’m actually very appreciative of the fact that they included that in the process.”
The price tag for the entire project — which will include turning part of the parking lot into an entertainment district — is expected to be about $2 billion. The Jaguars plan to ask the City of Jacksonville to pick up half the bill.
