JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As Jacksonville City Council officials vote on the Stadium of the Future deal, we’re on your side finding out what’s next for the millions of dollars that were removed from the Community Benefits Agreement included in the original stadium renovation plan.
Blocks from the Everbank Stadium is the Eastside neighborhood, and during football season the area becomes a destination for fans. Kacheryl Gantt owns The Avenue Grill, within walking distance from the stadium. Gantt says she gets a lot of business from fans on game days.
Her business would have benefited from funds earmarked for economic development of the Eastside as part of the initial Community Benefits Agreement.
Many are wondering what will happen to the funds that were removed and if the Eastside will be renovated just like the stadium.
“There’s been infrastructure being built around this area for years, and we haven’t been included, so now is the time, it’s important," Gantt said.
Randy White, future council president, said he wanted that money debated during the July city budget review process.
Jimmy Peluso, council representative for the Eastside district, says there is still a plan to get that money into the neighborhood.
“I think we're going to try to do something with the CBA outside of the normal budget process because these are monies that are going to be spent in 2026-2027. Right, so it's not going to affect this year's budget, right," said Peluso.
The City of Jacksonville says the stadium renovation is one of the largest public infrastructure investment in Jacksonville history, and those living around the stadium just hope they get a piece of that pie.
“This is a once and lifetime deal for this city and for something like this to come through and they just let it go, I don’t think it would be a good idea for them to do," Gantt said.
The Jaguars are contributing $119 million towards the Community Benefits Agreement.