A YEAR OF MEC
January 10 marked one year since construction began on the Miller Electric Center, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ training facility. Work is currently underway on the interior buildout. Exterior framing continues with glass going up and weather barrier systems applied.
To express gratitude, the Jaguars recently surprised the 350+ site workers with $50 Amazon gift cards. The Miller Electric Center is slated to open in summer 2023, and we are now in the homestretch.
ANOTHER FIRST DOWN
On January 10, proposed legislation from Iguana Investments — Shad Khan’s investment entity — went before the Jacksonville City Council for a final vote. This amendment was approved unanimously by the Council and will provide an increased return on investment to the City.
Iguana Investments’ vision for the Shipyards property remains unchanged. The approved legislation reflects months of dialogue between Iguana and the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) to address various site-specific issues, the purchase of the office property at fair market value, and global supply issues affecting the overall project cost and schedule.
The revised redevelopment agreement includes Iguana Investments’ increased capital investment from $301M to a minimum of $387M and adds no more than six months to our original completion date guarantee.
Iguana Investments is grateful to the City Council for its approval of the legislation and to the DIA for its efforts in moving this project forward. The continued collaboration between Iguana Investments, the City of Jacksonville and the Downtown Investment Authority on this project is emblematic of our shared vision for the future of downtown Jacksonville.
SITE WORK CONTINUES
Gantry rail removal is underway at the Shipyards site as we prepare the parcel for building foundations. The gantry rail support piles, left underground from when the land was an actual shipbuilding site, are roughly 30-40 feet long.
SWITCHING STREETS
City Council passed an ordinance changing the name on a section of Gator Bowl Boulevard that runs north of the Shipyards to E. Bay Street. This is effective February 4.
STADIUM OF THE FUTURE NEXT STEPS
The Jaguars are pleased to announce the completion of one more step in the Stadium of the Future process with the naming of HOK as our design consultant. We look forward to working through the creative process as HOK’s very conceptual designs evolve into more definitive renovation plans. Construction timelines and cost estimates can be determined once the plans are evolved.
TRAINED, CREDENTIALED AND READY TO WORK
We caught up with Construction Ready Class Four graduate Harold Smith who is employed full time with Touchton Plumbing Contractors and has been working at Miller Electric Center.
Smith is one of 16 Class Four graduates, and after four rigorous weeks of Construction Ready training — all free to students — he began a full-time, paid plumbing apprenticeship with Touchton Plumbing Contractors, a local company. His first project is Miller Electric Center. When asked about his Construction Ready experience he offered a ringing endorsement.
“It was worth it!” Smith said. “The best part for me would be just the information going through the class; I know where I can fit in. I’ve gotten compliments on my work ethic since I’ve been here and on the job. I would say go for it — it’s worth it, if anything, to understand what you’re trying to do before you do it.”
CR Class Five begins January 30 and is 7:30 am to 5 p.m. for 20 consecutive business days. Details.