JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An effort to build a soccer stadium for the Jacksonville Armada on the Eastside is at a crossroads, with the city now asking the developer to fork up the money for the land it was gifted or give it back.
Back in 2020, the City of Jacksonville handed a nearly six-acre plot over to Jax Downtown Pro Real Estate LLC on the promise it would build an $80 million soccer stadium for the Armada on the land.
But more than six years later, it sits vacant behind a fence displaying renderings of what could have been.
Eastside residents like Ariane Randolph said they were skeptical of the plans from the start.
“Development is important, but it has to be responsible, and it has to be sustainable,” said Randolph.
The project was supposed to be completed by September 10th under the deal.
Now, the city has sent a letter to the developer demanding it pay the fair market value for the property, plus three percent annual interest, or else face possible legal action.
We reached out to current Armada owner Robert Palmer asking whether he plans to pay up or give the land back to the city, but didn’t hear back.
“It was gonna be a catalyst for that neighborhood,” said Councilmember Ron ...