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Business Brief: Will Khan's Shipyards Proposal Succeed Where Others Haven't?

walkways and buildings
Populous via Shad Khan

Jacksonville is buzzing about plans unveiled this week by Jaguars owner Shad Khan to transform Downtown. It’s a massive entertainment, residential and business district along the North Bank of the St. Johns River.

Khan’s is far from the first proposal for the former shipyards property, and most have failed. But Jacksonville Business Journal Editor John Burr says he’s optimistic this time will be different.

“It is certainly the most ambitious plan yet, and there’s no doubt that Shad Khan can get it done. This is really going to be a referendum on Jacksonville and what does Jacksonville want to be when it grows up," Burr said.

He says it remains to be seen how much of the project Shan intends to fund himself and how much will be requested of Jacksonville taxpayers. He adds it’s likely such a large issue will be put to a vote by the city’s residents. 

Hear the entire "Business Brief" segment airing on WJCT 89.9 FM: 

Jessica Palombo oversees local news at WJCT News 89.9 and Jacksonville Today. With a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University and bachelor's in journalism from the University of Florida, Jessica is a nearly lifelong resident of Jacksonville. You may have once seen her on a local community theater stage. These days, you can most likely catch her reading a book in a school pickup line.