The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new $120 million performance facility took another step toward approval on Tuesday, as the City Council Finance Committee voted 7-0 to approve the plan to split the costs for the facility 50-50 between the team and city. According to Dave Bauerlein of the Florida Times-Union, deliberations lasted just 18 minutes.
The Rules Committee takes up the legislation on Tuesday afternoon, and the final hurdle for the project will take place next Tuesday when the full council votes for approval.
The facility, which will feature indoor and outdoor practice fields among other amenities, carries a 30-year lease, which City Council member Michael Boylen said indicates that the team is interested in staying in Jacksonville for the long haul.
“I think it’s pretty evident here when you’re looking at a 30-year commitment and a $60 million commitment by the Jaguars for this new facility, it can give all of us a great deal of comfort the Jaguars are going to be home in Jacksonville for years to go,” Boylan told Bauerlein.
After the failure of the Lot J project earlier this year, Jags owner Shad Khan has found a much more amiable position from the city government this time around. Though the new project requires final approval, it seems like a formality at this point given how easily the bill moved through the finance committee.
