The estimated cost for the work at Lot J originally was about $500M, but has risen to near $700MGETTY IMAGES
Jaguars President Mark Lamping said the team is "very close" to finalizing a deal with the city of Jacksonville on the development of Lot J next to TIAA Bank Field, and the agreement could go to the City Council with an eye toward ground-breaking in the spring, according to a front-page piece by David Bauerlein of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. Last July, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced the "financial framework for a development deal for the city" to pay up to $233.3M, including $208.3M in "hard money, for its share of the cost of building a miniature urban neighborhood anchored by an entertainment district." The concept dates back to '18, when Jaguars Owner Shad Khan joined with the Cordish Companies on "plans to bring new development to the area." Lot J would be the "launch pad for the bigger vision." Lamping said that the "estimated cost for the work at Lot J" originally was about $500M, but "has risen to near" $700M. He added that the "build-out would take about three and half years." Meanwhile, Lamping said that fans "having to sit in direct sunlight on hot days is taking a toll on the team's ability to sell tickets" for home games. He added that the Raiders, Rams and Chargers are teams that "recently dealt with stadium issues by moving" to new cities, but that is "not the game plan for the Jaguars." Lamping: "They took actions that devastated communities. Not on our watch" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/15).
ON-FIELD STRUGGLES: In Jacksonville, John Reid notes the Jaguars' back-to-back losing seasons have "made an impact on the team's bottom line." The Jaguars' home attendance for seven games was the "fourth-lowest" in the NFL. Lamping said, "We have done a crappy job of winning. Hopefully we will get better" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/15).
