Jaguars President Mark Lamping announced Baltimore-based Cordish Companies has been tapped to develop the downtown area around EverBank Field, which will soon become TIAA Bank Field.
New renderings were unveiled Thursday morning at the Jaguars' annual State of the Franchise showing what the project is anticipated to look like.
As expected, the new renderings show a Gator Bowl Boulevard without the overpass expressway ramps from the Hart Bridge.
“These elevated lanes need to come down to make this possible,” said Lamping. The Jaguars have been working with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry in an effort to bring down the downtown expressway.
Related: Mayor's Plan To Demolish Elevated Downtown Ramps Takes A Step Forward
Lamping said Cordish Companies was selected because of the developer’s track record in putting together downtown entertainment-themed districts, including some that are next to sports facilities.
Lamping said the overall investment could total somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 billion.
Watch: The Full State Of The Franchise Presentation
Cordish Companies has a long list of such developments. Among them are:
- Ballpark Village, which was done in partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
- The Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City next to the Sprint Center Arena.
- The Power Plant entertainment project in downtown Baltimore near Camden Yards.
Lamping also said – as with the Daily’s Place Amphitheater – development will likely start with what the team has most control of, which is Lot J.
The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall may be relocated as part of the development, but Lamping said this could be a community decision, adding, "We recognize this is hallowed ground." He indicated the wall would not be relocated unless the community agrees with the idea.
The renderings show Lot J will have three large buildings.
“Everything that we do, we need to focus on bringing jobs to this part of downtown,” said Lamping. No specific tenants or timeline for the project were announced.
Stadium improvements were also announced, including a third pool and the NFL’s first stadium dog park, which will be named after the sponsor, Pet Paradise.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
