Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Jacksonville held a public hearing regarding the upcoming $1.4 billion stadium renovation this week, hearing from local unions advocating for apprenticeship programs to be included in the language of the agreement.
“Let your Council members know how you feel about this Stadium deal between the City and the Jaguars,” the North Florida Central Labor Council wrote on social media before the meeting. “Tell them how important it is to have local contractors and registered apprenticeships working on this stadium.”
Labor leaders with the North Florida Central Labor Council believe including apprenticeship programs in the stadium deal would give local workers an opportunity to train and gain hands-on experience.
In a statement, Mayor Donna Deegan said she has developed plans to increase the number of local apprentices working on the stadium renovation.
“The City of Jacksonville, the Jaguars, and local construction leaders have developed a plan to increase the number of local apprentices working on the stadium renovation, and we will continue working together to grow apprenticeship participation in the largest public infrastructure investment in Jacksonville history,” she said in a statement.
The NFCLC is encouraging members to send a letter to council members.
“I am writing to express my full support for the ongoing stadium deal between the City and the Jaguars, provided that we can ensure the involvement of local contractors and registered apprenticeship programs in the construction process,” the letter states. “While this project promises to bring significant benefits to our community, it is crucial that we ensure these benefits are maximized for our local economy and workforce.
“One of the most impactful ways to achieve this is by prioritizing the use of local contractors and integrating registered apprenticeship programs into the construction process. I strongly urge you to advocate for the inclusion of local contractors and registered apprenticeship programs in the stadium deal. This will not only enhance the project’s immediate impact but also ensure long-lasting benefits for our community.”
The Jaguars released an animated video and renderings of a reconfigured and renovated TIAA Bank Field last week, with an estimated cost of $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion. The Jaguars want to reach an agreement with the city by March on a stadium deal.
The city has not yet selected any outside firms for the negotiations, but the Office of General Counsel has compiled a list of potential choices and examined what other NFL cities spent when they negotiated stadium deals.