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.
OnSpark proposed a new concert venue on the Westside called “The Grounds.” (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
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.”
OnSpark proposed a new concert venue on the Westside called “The Grounds.” (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
Kyle Kane, CEO of OnSpark, which is proposing the venue, said the project is meant to provide an economic boost to the region. “We plan to generate thousands of jobs…and attract some of the best and brightest talent from around the world,” Kane said. He estimated the venue could drive $4.5 billion in economic impact over the next 10 years.
Supporters urged investors to back the project, saying it would bring more live music to Duval County.
Developers say they hope to finalize a site by October and have a proposal filed soon, with a goal of breaking ground in 2027.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.