EverBank Field is one of four venues seeking $7M that the state of Florida "recently made available for stadium projects next year," according to Christopher Hong of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. Jacksonville is asking for a $1M annual payment, which "would be granted over 30 years." The city, which is applying for the money on behalf of the Jaguars, said that the team would "use the money to fund current improvements to concession areas and could also fund future upgrades, like an improvement to the club seating areas." But Hong noted there is "no guarantee that any of the venues will receive funding." The four venues are asking for a total of $9M, so some venues "will fail even if they are all found economically viable." Although plans "haven’t been finalized, the team says it’s considering opening the Touchdown Club seating area to an open view of the field." The two-level club areas on the east and west ends of the stadium are "currently enclosed without views of the stadium." Preliminary designs, which were "included in the city’s application, show a new outdoor patio and glass walls to allow fans to view the field from inside." The Jaguars said that the improvements "could be completed" as early as next season and "no later than the following year." If the city receives the grant, the Jacksonville City Council "would have to approve any renovations" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 11/23).
BIDDING WARS? In Daytona Beach, Jim Turner noted the city of Orlando applied to the state for $60M for its "one-of-a-kind" $110M soccer stadium for MLS expansion club Orlando City SC. The Dolphins also filed a request for $90M "to boost" their $350M renovation of Sun Life Stadium. Additionally, Daytona Int'l Speedway is "also seeking" $90M from the state for its $400M Daytona Rising project. The applications "were due Nov. 1," and Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Communications Dir Jennifer Diaz said that the state agency has "yet to declare any of the applications complete" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 11/22).
