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Watchdog Group OurJax And NAACP Slam Lot J Development Deal

aerial view of parking lot packed with cars
Dede Smith
/
For the Times-Union
The city-owned parking lot called Lot J, located near TIAA Bank Field. would be turned into an entertainment district with mid-rise apartment buildings and a luxury hotel if City Council approves a proposed development deal with Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

The watchdog group OurJax on Tuesday urged City Council to reject the proposed Lot J development, calling it a "rigged deal" that should be scrapped so negotiations can start over with the usual vetting for downtown developments that seek taxpayer subsidies.

OurJax joined the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP in coming out strongly against the proposed terms for one of the biggest development deals in city history.

The NAACP ramped up its opposition by sending a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the NFL should intervene against the proposed deal between the city and the development team of Jaguars owner Shad Khan and The Cordish Companies.