Developers propose $120M, 50,000-seat concert venue on Jacksonville’s Westside – News4JAX

Developers propose $120M, 50,000-seat concert venue on Jacksonville’s Westside  News4JAX

Developers are pitching a new concert venue called The Grounds on the city’s Westside that would seat at least 50,000 people and cost more than $120 million to build, though officials say a formal proposal has not yet been filed. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Developers are pitching a new concert venue called The Grounds on the city’s Westside that would seat at least 50,000 people and cost more than $120 million to build, though officials say a formal proposal has not yet been filed. The planned site is near the Cecil Commerce Center. Developers said the project would include an open lawn, luxury camping accommodations and other amenities intended to attract major touring artists that now often bypass Jacksonville for cities such as Miami and Orlando.

Residents gave mixed, but generally supportive reactions. Joshua Predieri, a Jacksonville resident, said the city is growing and its music scene is “actually thriving here.” “When you make your way down to those cities, I feel like it’s the first stop in Florida,” Predieri said. “I think the music scene is actually thriving here.” When asked whether they would drive 30 minutes, deal with traffic and parking to see a favorite artist, Aidan Tamayo replied, “Most definitely. I most definitely would.” Kyle Kane, CEO of OnSpark, which is proposing the venue, said the project is