JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor Donna Deegan said Jaguars stadium renovations negotiations are on schedule after four meetings with team leaders and city officials.
In an interview Wednesday, Deegan said she's prioritizing the cost of renovations, structural integrity and resiliency and community improvement efforts.
"You get there step by step,” she said. “It doesn't all happen at once."
The city plans to commission a structural integrity study and take a look at one that’s already been done by Haskell for the Jags.
Deegan said a long-term lease agreement will be an "integral" part of any deal.
"We got to get that design done, so we know exactly what the cost is going to be," she said.
Dana Miller owns the Man Cave Barbershop just minutes from the stadium.
He's also vice president of the Eastside Legacy Business Council and said the group met Thursday, discussing their role in the renovations.
"I do know that we are at the table, and out east is being considered for a lot of things to help us develop this community."
Miller said they're partnering with the city and the football team to determine how it can benefit the east side community.
"I just want the residents of this community to know that we're not pushing them out," he said. "We're here to stay, and we just want a seat at the table and that this community is safe, and we are here to help and better our community.”
It’s an important aspect of the agreement for city leaders too, Deegan said.
"We're going to be impacting community with this,” she said. “We want to make sure we can maximize the positive, especially for the east side and some of the areas around there."
Mayor Deegan said they want to get the deal done before Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem terms out in June.
"I feel really comfortable that we have a great team in place negotiating but also that the Jaguars are negotiating in good faith, and so I think we're going to get to a good agreement. My hope is we'll get there by spring."
Miller also said the council has big news to announce in January about upcoming economic development on the east side.