Is the lease of the Jaguars stadium an important issue for you in the upcoming spring election?

jacksonville, florida – As of today, there are only 70 days left until the March 21 Duval County spring elections.

Yesterday was the first day candidates could qualify for the 2023 election, and at least one candidate took advantage of it. Republican Rianna Cumber has filed papers to run for mayor.

Cumber ran for mayor, including Omega Allen, Daniel Davis, Donna Deegan, Al Ferraro, Audrey Gibson, Brian Griffin, Frankie Kiesler Jr., Darcy Richardson, and Teresa Richardson. Joined 8 people.

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Michael Binder, a professor of political science at the University of North Florida, said Jacksonville voters will be flooded with political material and TV ads this week for what is expected to be a highly competitive election on both sides. Expect.

Crime, downtown development, and cost of living are some of the issues expected to be important in this election, which includes all seats on the city council.

But Binder said one issue will make headlines. It’s the Jaguars Stadium lease.

“The biggest question for this mayor is what to do with the stadium,” Binder said. “It will require a decision by the mayor and city council.”

Just last week we reported Jacksonville Jaguar has selected global design firm HOK as a consultant for a major redesign project. This could include reducing the number of seats and adding a shaded roof.

This is a project expected to cost at least $600 million, possibly more. Jaguars president Mark Lamping said improvements to the stadium are necessary and should be implemented before the city and the team reach an agreement on the stadium’s lease, which expires in 2030.

The TIAA Bank Field needs significant improvements to keep the team in Jacksonville long term. And his 75% (24 of 32) of NFL owners must approve these renovations before they can sign long-term leases.

Lamping says the improvements will be paid for by a combination of money from the team and taxpayers. How much is your problem now? First Coast News spoke with Jason Gabriel, the city’s former chief attorney who previously negotiated a deal between the city and the team. Gabriel said costs will most likely be split between taxpayers and teams, but that remains to be seen.

The deal, like other past deals involving Jaguar, is likely to be negotiated by the next administration, which will be decided in the spring elections.

With that said, are the Jaguars Stadium leases and renovations an important issue for you? What questions do you have for mayoral candidates about future negotiations?

As part of our Your Voice Matters campaign, we want to hear your questions and speak directly to candidates to see where they stand and future plans for Jacksonville.

Please submit your question by Click here to fill out the form.

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