MOVEMENT AT MILLER ELECTRIC CENTER
Work continues! A concrete pump arrived onsite to pour the retaining wall and hardscape at MEC’s entry plaza.
Hanging field goal posts recently went up at the indoor practice field, as well as catch nets. Coach Pederson and the Jaguars coaching staff visited Miller Electric Center to receive progress updates and a behind-the-scenes tour led by project manager, the Haskell Company.
CONSTRUCTION READY CONTINUES
We observed as Construction Ready Class 5 students tackled a virtual reality, hands-on welding demonstration. An instructor from Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #435 led the activity.
After completing the rigorous 20-day, free-to-students Construction Ready training program, students graduated February 24 (below) before future employers including England-Thims & Miller, Inc.; Acousti Engineering Company of Florida; Local #435 Sheet Metal; RangeWater Real Estate; and Building Talent Foundation.
TRANSFORMATIVE PLACEMAKING OUTEAST
On February 17, our Outeast neighbors received a series of colorful new murals that represent and portray the faces of this historic Jacksonville neighborhood. Six murals were created on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard along the business corridor. Volunteers from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida Blue, CSX and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office worked alongside artists as they created the murals in partnership with Eastside Legacy Business Council, Historic Eastside CDC and Jax Wall Project.
Phase two of the placemaking project will include new building façade painting along APR, plus enhanced signage and lighting, streetscaping, planters and patio seating.
CONTINUED MOMENTUM DOWNTOWN
Earlier this month 1st DownTown Jacksonville took part in the Riverfront 2025: A Look Ahead event hosted by the Downtown Investment Authority, Department of Parks and Recreation, Build Up Downtown, Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Riverfront Parks Now. The event allowed the community to learn about the various parks and projects slated for development along the Northbank and Southbank, including our Shipyards parcel complete with forthcoming Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville, six-story office building, marina and marina support building. A revitalized Metropolitan Park will border the Shipyards to the east.
In other downtown momentum news, the University of Florida is proposing a Health and Financial Technology Graduate Education Center, and eying several spots downtown for its new center. As proposed, it would accommodate 800 students, faculty, and staff, and once fully built out and staffed, could hold 2,000 to 4,000 people. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Iguana Investments support the concept of a graduate-level education center in downtown Jacksonville.
SHIPYARDS PRE-BID EVENT
In conjunction with our Shipyards construction manager, PCL Construction, we hosted more than 200 subcontractors for a project pre-bid event. We saw great participation from Jacksonville Small and Emerging Businesses (JSEB) as well. Attendees had the opportunity to meet members of the PCL team and learn more about the entire project, including the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville, the Shipyards office tower, public marina and marina support building. PCL had opportunities for design assist partners and 100% DD overall project pricing partners. Bids closed February 24.
ARE YOU OUR NEXT TEAMMATE?
Our Jaguars and Iguana Investments team is adding a new position. The Director of Construction will lead all construction efforts related to the Jacksonville Shipyards and Jaguars’ real estate platform from project design through completion of the development, construction, and lease-up/condo-sale process.
