The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting out ahead of the future battle to win support among residents for a massive renovation of TIAA Bank Field.
Eventually, the Jaguars will need taxpayers to approve a huge chunk of public funding for the project. To answer questions, get feedback, and hear opinions from Jacksonville residents and Jaguars fans, the team announced Wednesday that it’ll spend nearly two weeks holding “community huddles” around the city.
Here are the dates, locations, and times for all 14 of the huddles, which will have Jaguars president Mark Lamping in attendance.
- June 12: String Sports Brewery – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 13: Ramada by Wyndham – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 14: Jacksonville Golf & Country Club – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 15: Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 16: Argyle Branch Library – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 17: Deerwood Country Club – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 17: Atlantic Beach Country Club – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 19: Community First Igloo – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 19: Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville West – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 20: Grounds of Grace – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 20: Bradham and Brooks Branch Library – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 21: Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 21: Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library – 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 22: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Two years ago, the Jaguars’ Lot J development was shot down in a vote by residents in part because the team did little to no community outreach.
“They should have a lot of town meetings,” Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci told the Florida Times-Union in May. “When you take things out into the community, and are being transparent, that’s how you gain favor with people who are skeptical about the whole thing.
“If you don’t talk to people about it in the open, you’re asking for trouble. Trust is the most important asset that business people and politicians can have. If you do anything that begins to lose that asset, you’re done.”
The Jaguars are seeking to learn from their prior mistakes and earn the public’s trust.
