The coalition insists that unless the city agrees to invest millions in improving neglected areas such as the Northwest and Eastside of Jacksonville, it will not support the jail relocation.

Kelly Frazier, President of the Northside Coalition, criticized the city for allocating large sums of money towards a $775 million renovation of a football stadium and a $1 billion jail move without addressing the broken promises of consolidation that still linger over the community. Frazier stressed the importance of a comprehensive "Even Better Jacksonville" plan, which would include significant investments in underserved areas to rectify the past neglect.

The Northside Coalition's concerns are rooted in the troubled history of the consolidation of Jacksonville, as highlighted in a 2020 piece by a Florida Times-Union Metro Columnist titled "The broken promise that broke Jacksonville."

To allow public input, the community will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed 50-50 split of the $1.4 billion "Stadium of the Future" renovation project at a meeting called a "huddle" on Thursday night in Northwest Jacksonville. The city has committed millions of dollars to various initiatives, including affordable housing, workforce development, homelessness, and parks, as part of the deal.

Mayor Donna Deegan, Jaguars President Mark Lamping, and Mike Weinstein, who presented the proposal to the City Council, have assured residents that the city's $625 million portion will be incorporated into the annual budget over the next four years without imposing additional taxes on residents. Additionally, the city has agreed to allocate $150 million for maintenance and upkeep, bringing Jacksonville's total investment in the stadium to $775 million and the overall cost to $1.4 billion.

When asked about the opposition to public funds being spent on the stadium, Jaguars President Mark Lamping emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the 19 elected officials on the City Council, and not the team or its representatives.

During a recent City Council meeting, Deegan, Lamping, and Weinstein provided detailed information on the funding, timeline, taxpayer obligations, and potential alternative stadiums for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the renovation, which is expected to take place in 2027.

The majority of the city's investment will be derived from extending the Better Jacksonville Plan until 2030 and utilizing those funds to support the stadium renovation. The Better Jacksonville Plan, approved by voters in 2000, is a $2.25 billion program focused on enhancing roads, infrastructure, development, and public facilities.

The Jacksonville City Council is expected to vote on the stadium deal no earlier than June 25, following input from the community at various "huddles." If approved by the City Council, the plan would require the approval of NFL owners before moving forward.

The opposition voiced by the Northside Coalition highlights the need for addressing long-standing inequalities and investing in underserved areas as part of major development projects. As the discussions progress, the city will continue to examine the feedback provided by the community in order to make informed decisions regarding the stadium renovation and the future of the Duval County Jail.