Quote:Mr Khan is on record as not wanting to wait for the process to play out before giving his team a facility. Plans are ongoing but would no doubt be altered from the original concept.

 

I read somewhere they believe if approved they can complete that by next season. Amazing if true.

Edit again, read the entire article. Duh. it says it right there.

 

In reality, structures like these should be something that can be put together pretty quickly once they have the final approval.  I like the concept of adding an amphitheater to the mix.  Combining that along with the indoor practice facility would open the door to hosting all sorts of events which means more revenue for the city and the team.  It also makes the facilities attractive for big games like the NCAA championship tournament, and, dare I say, eventually another Super Bowl?  Those two facilities in particular would be ground zero for much of the pre-game festivities.

 

As far as the Shipyards project goes, while it would need to be modified, my guess is that with the practice facility moving to the grounds of the old Ferrell Field, that would open up the opportunity for more green space, or for another structure on the spot where they proposed putting the practice fields in the original plan.  Regardless, once they hammer out who will be responsible for doing the cleanup, that project should start to move forward, but that's something that I could see taking 5-10 years to come to fruition. 

 

The fact that the team and the city are really making an effort to partner on projects like this makes it crystal clear that there's zero intention of moving this team out of Jacksonville, and it silences the people who are still suggesting that the intention of the current owner is to do so at the first possible opportunity. 

---