A New York equity firm and a local Jacksonville financier are floating plans for a large-scale concert and event venue on the city's Westside — and the $120 million price tag would come entirely from private funding. Blasen Capital Market Group and Jacksonville-based investor Kyle Kane are behind the proposal, which Kane has named "The Grounds."
Renderings shared with local media show the venue situated along the Cecil Commerce Center Corridor. The concept calls for a capacity of up to 50,000 people, with additional land set aside for both traditional camping and glamping accommodations. Organizers envision hosting more than 100 events per year at the site.
Reaction among Westside residents is mixed. Longtime resident Sara Herndon raised concerns about increased traffic in an area already seeing significant residential development. Others, like resident Curtis Koshuta, see the project as a welcome addition that would give the community more to do on that side of town.
For now, the proposal remains entirely in the private planning stage. The City of Jacksonville confirmed it has not been contacted by the investment group about the project, and the investors did not respond to requests for comment.
This story was originally reported by Madison Foglio for Action News Jax.
