When the Jacksonville City Council completes its budget process for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, one of its consequential allocations will be to determine how many dollars from the Community Benefits Agreement will begin to flow to the Eastside.
Democrats and Republicans on City Council have pledged repeatedly to abide by promises to the Eastside, but there remain legacy residents, business owners and advocates who hold a blend of skepticism, angst, frustration and hope about the process.
Finding the right framework
The city has committed to spend $150 million on parks, countywide initiatives as well as the Eastside in the largest Community Benefits Agreement in North American professional sports to date. The city dollars matched the $150 million the Jacksonville Jaguars pledged as part of the public financing for stadium renovations.
During the seven years between the 2025-26 fiscal year until the 2031-2032 fiscal year, the city of Jacksonville must devote $40 million to initiatives that support the Eastside. The Jaguars will devote $75 million, paid through $2.5 million installments, between 2028 and 2058 to Eastside initiatives…