JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An Alabama-based contractor with an office in Jacksonville has been chosen to work on the EverBank Field upgrades that were recently approved for funding by the City Council.
The council approved a plan to fund half of the $90 million project with bed tax money from the city. The other half and any overages will be paid for by Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
Brasfield & Gorrie could begin construction as early as January, but permit applications have not yet been submitted to the city. City officials said the permits will be submitted in phases, and the application for demolition permit is expected next week.
It takes about 10 business days, on average, to get a requested permit approved by plan examiners and the city fire marshal. City officials said once plans are submitted, contractors can begin work at their own risk, but they can't work beyond their first required inspection until the permit is approved.
The stadium improvements, which include an amphitheater, a covered practice field and club seat upgrades, are expected to be completed by next fall. Artist renderings released earlier show the practice field next to the amphitheater, allowing the two to be used together for some events. Inside EverBank Field, 3,000 club seats will be removed and the remaining seats will be expanded.
The Jaguars met with city inspectors earlier this week to discuss the demolition process.
News4Jax called Brasfield & Gorrie for comment, but they have not responded.
City Council members said they are comfortable with the lack of information so far because the Jaguars are picking up half the tab. But in with other major city projects, like the library, arena, courthouse and stadium scoreboards, more details were known before construction began.
The city said that the project is in the hands of the Jaguars.
The team said earlier in the week that it hoped to have new plans and drawings available this week. News4Jax called again for comment on Thursday, but we have not hear back.