The Jacksonville Jaguars and Mayor Lenny Curry want to move forward with an ambitious makeover to EverBank Field that includes building an amphitheater next to the stadium — and calls for taxpayers to cover half of the $90 million cost.
The plan is outlined in a proposed agreement that Curry introduced late Wednesday to the City Council.
Few details about the amphitheater were included in the agreement.
The amphitheater is described as a 4,000 to 5,000 fixed-seat venue that will host "concerts and other events." The city would own the venue, and a company owned by Shad Khan would occupy, manage and operate the space under a 30-year lease. Khan's company, American Thunder, LLC, would pay for all operating costs and keep all ticket, concession and other revenues earned from events.
The total cost of the plan, which also includes improvements to the stadium's luxury seating area and a covered practice facility next to the stadium, is expected to be $90 million. The city would pay $45 million, according to the agreement.
Through a Jaguars spokesperson, team owner Shad Khan issued the following statement:
"I'm sincere in my commitment to Jacksonville and am extremely optimistic that we're moving in the right direction, on and off the field. We can never stand still, however. We can never underestimate the importance of exploring all means possible to strengthen the future of the Jaguars here in Jacksonville. Our new agreement to play a home game each season at Wembley Stadium through 2020 is one example, and the joint proposal with the City of Jacksonville to further reinvent EverBank Field and the Sports Complex is another. We look forward to working with Mayor Curry and his team so we can realize together, and soon, what Jacksonville and the Jaguars are capable of achieving."
Mike Kaye contributed to this report.
