As the Jacksonville Jaguars move into the early design phase of its pitch to renovate TIAA Bank Field, Mayor Lenny Curry confirmed the city is partnering with the NFL team on stadium renovations.
When asked Jan. 5 about the city’s role in selecting St. Louis-based HOK Architects as the design consultant for the Jaguars’ “Stadium of the Future” project, the Curry administration sent a statement in an email:
“No team has done more for the Jacksonville community than our very own Jacksonville Jaguars. As we look forward to a very exciting NFL Saturday, my administration is working to ensure a continued positive fan experience in Downtown and at TIAA Bank Field,” Curry said.
“As part of this commitment, we are partnering with the Jaguars to begin the process for future stadium renovations. It is all early, but we are committed to continued work with the Jaguars to invest in a vibrant Downtown. I am confident that future administrations will carry on this legacy of investing in our teams, our infrastructure, and amplifying the call of DUUUVAL.”
The Jaguars said it began exploring a long-term stadium solution in July 2020 and it worked with eight sports architecture firms beginning in December 2021 to provide conceptual visions for the stadium.
The release said HOK’s initial concepts included shade over all seats, improved airflow, wider concourses, unique fan amenities, flexible capacity and rain protection to help attract other major non-football events to Jacksonville.
“HOK did an exceptional job of studying the current state of TIAA Bank Field and creating an innovative introductory concept that we are confident will – with further development – meet the needs of our fans and other stakeholders and also spur additional downtown revitalization efforts, which will enhance pride in our city,” the Jaguars said in the news release.
The Jaguars said an engineering assessment of TIAA Bank Field concluded it “was possible to solve our long-term stadium challenges via a renovation of the current stadium versus new construction.”
Jaguars President Mark Lamping said in June that the team wants to complete designs and planning for a full renovation of TIAA Bank Field “well in advance” of the 2029 season when the team’s current lease expires.
The team said it would begin talks with the city about the renovation and its cost at a later date.
“We look forward to working through the creative process as these very conceptual designs evolve into more definitive renovation plans. In addition, when we have a more definitive renovation plan, construction timelines and cost estimates can be determined. At that point, we will be better positioned to begin a productive dialogue about a partnership structure among the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville.”
The team said a stadium lease extension will require the approval of the NFL and 75% of the teams.
Venuesnow.com reported Dec. 30 the Jaguars selected HOK.
Venuesnow.com said HOK designed the $755 million transformation of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, showcasing a roof canopy retrofit. The three-year project was completed in 2016.
Managing Editor Monty Zickuhr contributed to this report.