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59-549: The arena was built in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan to replace the Jacksonville Coliseum . On March 12, 2019, a 19–0 vote led to VyStar Credit Union becoming a sponsor for the arena. The 15-year agreement includes an annual contribution to a trust fund to support programs for veterans in the city. It is corporately sponsored despite a city ordinance that on its face prohibits

118-586: A pardon and the presiding over a naturalization during convention broadcasts). This was a break from political norms and attracted criticism. Numerous aspects of the convention were cited as potentially violating the Hatch Act of 1939 . As part of a later settlement with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel , Lynne Patton , a Trump-appointed administrator in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development , confessed to violating

177-695: A bid for the convention. On July 18, 2018, the RNC Site Selection Committee voted unanimously to recommend holding the convention in Charlotte. The Republican National Committee made the selection official on July 20. Following President Trump's rally in Greenville, North Carolina , the Charlotte City Council proposed retracting their bid to host the convention. All nine Democrats on the city council voted on

236-484: A continuous route over the track. Study alternatives The project cost estimates, on which the program was based, were made in the late 1990s, when the price of building materials was relatively stable. Total costs were initially estimated at $ 190 million. In 2003 Mayor John Delaney left office, and was succeeded by John Peyton . Construction had been authorized to commence at the original $ 190 million amount, but concerns over rising costs caused Peyton to stop work on

295-541: A convention in Jacksonville had also been awarded this status. Jacksonville had been given $ 30 million federal grants for security. The city of Jacksonville had paid $ 69,777 to a consulting company that was assisting them in security. When the convention was slated for Jacksonville, there had been concern expressed by Duval County sheriff Mike Williams over the ability of local law enforcement to provide security due to poor funding and lack of advance planning as

354-513: A measure calling Trump a racist for his statement ("good people on both sides" of the statue debate). The city met in closed sessions with an attorney regarding their contract to host the convention. A conclusion was made that breaking the contract would likely end with the city being taken to court and forced to host the convention. A resolution was eventually approved by the Charlotte City Council. On May 25, 2020, Trump raised

413-577: A new party platform , uniquely the Republicans decided simply to recycle their 2016 party platform, including several references to the "current president" and attacks on "the administration" (which in 2016 referred to Barack Obama and the Obama administration ). The decision was criticized by Republican activists. In a tweet, Trump said that he would "prefer a new and updated platform, short form, if possible." The RNC did not do this, just issuing

472-476: A one-page document stating opposition to the "Obama/Biden administration" and supporting President Trump's instead. The Republican National Committee had its semi-annual meeting from August 21 to 23. It was closed to the press. The convention, as originally planned to be held in Charlotte, was initially anticipated to attract 50,000 visitors to the city. The ultimate format of the convention had much of its content be prerecorded. The official business of

531-790: A result of the late change of venue. On August 14, the Republican National Committee filed an application with the National Park Service (NPS) requesting to utilize the National Mall , including the Washington Monument , for a fireworks display on the convention's closing night. Their application was approved. Their application stated that a 50-person crew would set up the display, adhering to D.C.'s temporary prohibition on gatherings larger than 50 people. The RNC pledged to reimburse

590-490: A staff of roughly 120. The members of its executive committee, announced on July 26, 2018, were Chairman Toni Anne Dashiell, Co-chair Glenn McCall, Vice Chairs Jane Timken and Luis Fortuño , Treasurer Ron Kaufman, and Secretary Vicki Drummond. Former White House director of management and administration Marcia Lee Kelly was named convention president and chief executive officer in April 2019. Stephen "Max" Everett served as

649-656: A statement after most of the convention had shifted to Jacksonville criticizing the Republican National Committee for "broken promises". The committee originally reported raising $ 44 million for the convention. Due to the majority of the event being shifted away from Charlotte, the Charlotte host committee had millions in leftover funds which it could distribute with few restrictions. The committee originally promised in mid-August to give $ 3.2 million in funds to local nonprofits and community groups. However, by October, they had only distributed under $ 400,000 in funds. Jacksonville formed their own host committee after being awarded

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708-414: A year. As of June 27, 2010, construction was 37% completed, with the final pour of the concrete roof above the seventh floor. The completion date was established at May 2012, nearly a year later than Mayor Peyton hoped, but the project was within budget. The City's website stated on February 18, 2011 that interior construction of major systems was on schedule and 55% of the total project was complete, with

767-400: Is a growth management plan implemented by the city of Jacksonville , Florida . It was the signature project of Mayor John Delaney . It was approved by Jacksonville voters on September 5, 2000. Lex Hester was a key advisor to Delaney on the $ 2.25 billion package of projects, pushing for the inclusion of a new downtown library, then serving on the team of top administrators charged with making

826-672: The 2020 Republican National Convention from August 25 to August 27, originally to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina . However, these plans were ultimately cancelled to the COVID-19 pandemic . The arena was the host for the Davis Cup first round tie between the US and Brazil on the weekend of February 1–3, 2013. It has hosted PBR Built Ford Tough Series events in the past. Better Jacksonville Plan The Better Jacksonville Plan

885-675: The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. , with many other remote venues also being utilized. The convention nominated President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for reelection. The convention was originally scheduled to be held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, but on June 2, 2020, Trump and the Republican National Committee pulled the event from Charlotte after

944-674: The United States Republican Party selected the party's nominees for president and vice president in the 2020 United States presidential election , was held from August 24 to 27, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , plans to convene a traditional large-scale convention were cancelled a few weeks before the convention. Primary venues included the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina , and

1003-624: The White House . By tradition, because Republicans held the presidency, their convention was conducted after the 2020 Democratic National Convention , which was held from August 17–20. Another contrast to typical conventions was the prerecorded nature of much of the convention's content. Former White House director of management and administration Marcia Lee Kelly was named convention president and CEO in April 2019. The convention utilized federal government properties as locations for events, and Trump displayed official acts of government (issuing

1062-552: The White House Correspondents' Association . However, a Republican National Committee official cited by the Associated Press indicated that "no final decisions have been made and that logistics and press coverage options were still being evaluated." However, on August 12, the chairman of the credentials committee, Doyle Webb , said that a tiny group of reporters would indeed be permitted to cover

1121-896: The William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building ), which would serve as the convention's "central hub". With some events in Charlotte, this became the first since the 1860 Democratic National Conventions to be centered in two different cities. Charlotte businessman John Lassiter served as the president and CEO of the Charlotte 2020 Host Committee. Ned Curran, Doug Lebda, and Walter Price served as co-chairs, and were named to those positions in 2018. The host committee appointed Stephanie Batsell as its volunteer coordinator, John Burleson as its communications director, Heather Dodgins as its director of donor engagement, Haley Habenicht as its events manager, Rachel Kelley as its finance director, and Stephanie Speers as its accounting manager. The committee released

1180-429: The 2020 Republican National Convention, including the formal nominations of President Trump and Vice President Pence, was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 336 delegates met in the morning from 9 a.m. EDT, after which the committee reports were read and voted on. Under the original full-scale in-person convention plans, 2,550 delegates and half as many alternates were to attend the convention. Only one-sixth of

1239-724: The 2020 Republican National Convention." RNC officials stressed that the mechanics of the convention would still be held in Charlotte. "The RNC's Executive Committee has voted unanimously to allow the official business of the national convention to continue in Charlotte. Many other cities are eager to host the president's acceptance of the nomination, and we are currently in talks with several of them to host that celebration," said RNC communications director Michael Ahrens. Republican National Committee officials reportedly considered cities including Atlanta , Dallas , Jacksonville , Nashville , New Orleans , Orlando , Phoenix , and Savannah , and even visited some of these cities. On June 11,

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1298-640: The Charlotte Convention Center. Local transit services, including the Lynx Light Rail , were modified. A temporary ban on flying unmanned aerial vehicles was put in place in the Charlotte area. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spent $ 17 million in expenditures related to the convention. The Republican National Convention was originally to be a National Special Security Event . The originally-planned Charlotte convention had been awarded this status. The plans for

1357-543: The Democratic nomination remotely (the first time a Democrat has done so since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 ); 2020 was the first election since 1928 in which neither major-party nominee accepted their nominations in-person. The Committee on Arrangements' director of security was Robert "Bob" O'Donnell, and its deputy director of security was Max Poux. For the opening day, in which daytime events were held in Charlotte, several roads were closed near and surrounding

1416-785: The Florida Senate Bill Galvano ; Miranda Contracting president Josh Garrison; health official Leon L. Haley Jr.; Bishop Vaughn McLaughin; Morales Construction Co. president Rick Morales; speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Jose Oliva ; businessman Tom Petway; US Assure CEO Ty Petway; The Vestcor Companies founder John Rood; U.S. congressman John Rutherford ; Florida Senate president designate Wilton Simpson ; Florida House of Representatives speaker designate Chris Sprowls ; Total Military Management COO Kent Stermon ; JAXUSA Partnership president Aundra Wallace, and U.S. congressman Michael Waltz . After

1475-691: The Hatch Act of 1939. Trump faced only token opposition in the Republican primaries and caucuses , and unofficially clinched the Republican nomination in March 2020, when he reached 1,276 pledged delegates. The base number of pledged delegates that were allocated to each of the 50 states were 10 at-large delegates, plus 3 district delegates for each congressional district. A fixed number of pledged delegates were allocated to Washington D.C., and each of

1534-491: The Hatch Act, which creates certain prohibitions on the use of public resources for political activity, and the legality of the plan was questioned by Republican senators Ron Johnson and John Thune . While the president is exempt from the Hatch Act's restrictions, the law applies to other federal employees. The ethics director of the Campaign Legal Center stated that "any federal employee who helps facilitate

1593-455: The NPS for all expenses they'd face related to the display. The Republican National Committee reimbursed the federal government for damages to federal property that the show created, which amounted to more than $ 42,000 of damages. The Republican National Committee also reimbursed the federal government $ 177,000 to pay for approximately 4,000 hours labor by National Park Service employees to facilitate

1652-713: The National Mall for the display, "followed a trend across the convention of Trump putting the symbols and power of his office front and center, a departure from historical norms which has prompted widespread criticism." The nomination event took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the party was contractually obligated to conduct its official business there. Only just over 300 delegates were expected to attend. The main speeches took place every night from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. EDT . Headlining speakers spoke after 10:00 p.m. The speeches took place in Washington, D.C. , rather than in Charlotte. Rather than adopting

1711-908: The North Carolina state government declined to agree to Trump's demands to allow the convention to take place with a full crowd and without public health measures designed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social distancing and face coverings . Trump then announced that the convention would be moved to Jacksonville, Florida , but subsequently cancelled the Jacksonville convention plans on July 23. Some convention proceedings, albeit dramatically reduced in scale, were still held in Charlotte, such as "small, formal business meetings." Most speeches were delivered at Washington, D.C.'s Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Other events and festivities, including Trump's acceptance speech, were held remotely at various locations, including Fort McHenry and

1770-519: The Republican National Committee confirmed that the main events and speeches of the convention would move to Jacksonville, Florida, including Trump's nomination acceptance speech on August 27 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena . However the convention's official business was to remain in Charlotte with a greatly reduced agenda and number of delegates. August 24 was to see a portion of the convention hosted in Charlotte, with

1829-599: The acceptance speech risks violating the Hatch Act." Nonetheless, Trump tweeted that he had decided to hold it on the White House lawn anyway, announcing on August 13 that he had finalized this decision. It was ultimately decided that Trump's speech would be delivered from the South Lawn . Since Trump accepted his nomination remotely, it was the first time a Republican nominee has done so since Alf Landon in 1936 . Since Democratic nominee Joe Biden also accepted

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1888-662: The arena from having such a name. The ordinance does not cover any other venues, which allows for two other venues in Duval County to have corporate sponsors, most notably TIAA Bank Field . The arena was designed, using state-of-the-art techniques, to have the acoustical characteristics necessary for concerts. The first artist to hold a concert in the Arena was Elton John in November 2003. Since that time, dozens of groups, including country, rap, rock, and others, have performed at

1947-874: The arena. The arena was home to the Jacksonville Barracudas ice hockey team from 2003 to 2007 until they relocated to a smaller hockey arena in the area. Sporting events hosted include the 2004 USA Men's Olympic basketball team in their only game played in the United States , as well as some early round games of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2006 , 2010 , 2015 , and 2019 . The arena held UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje , UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira , and UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris , and three consecutive Ultimate Fighting Championship events in May 2020,

2006-1543: The convention's vice president and chief information officer . Other leadership team members included Chief of Program Whitney Anderson, deputy director of Operations and Buildout Luke Bullock, Chief of Staff and Director of Ticketing Chirstine "CC" Cobaugh, deputy director of Operations Kelly Eaton, Director of Communications Blair Ellis, National Press Secretary Tatum Gibson, Director of Signature Events Coordination Kelsey Gorman, deputy director of External Affairs Susan Haney, Director of Transportation Dustin Hendrix, Digital Director Doug Hochberg, deputy director of Finance Jinger Kelley, deputy director of Logistics Flow & Signage Andy King, deputy director of Transportation Thomas Krol, Director of Logistics Flow & Signange Edith "Dee Dee" Lancaster, counsel Joy Lee, Chief of Infrastructure Christine "Chris" Lesko, Director of Delegate Experience Diandra Lopez, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Maxwell, Chief Public Affairs Officer Dan McCarthy, Director of Administration Mallory McGough, Director of Security Robert "Bob" O’Donnell, Chief Logistics Officer Jonathan "Jonny" Oringdulph, Director of Special Projects Yandrick Paraison, Director of Community Affairs Russell Peck, deputy director of Security Max Poux, Director of Executive Operations Christopher Reese, Director of Operations James Sample, Director of Media Operations Lisa Shoemaker, and deputy director of Administration Megan Schenewerk. On July 28, Trump said that he would accept

2065-1032: The convention. The committee's members were announced in mid-June. Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry and lobbyist Brian Ballard co-chaired the committee. The committee had originally named 32 initial members, including the two co-chairs. The initial 30 additional members were Pet Paradise president and CEO Fernando Acosta-Rua; Corner Lot Properties founder Andy Allen; Sunshine Gasoline Distributors founder Maximo Alvarez; FRP Holdings, Inc. chairman and CEO John Baker; former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi ; Florida state senator Rob Bradley ; president and CEO of GreenPointe Holdings, LLC Ed Burr; U.S. Sugar senior vice president Robert Coker; Visit Jacksonville president and CEO Michael Corrigan; J.B. Coxwell Contracting president J. David Coxwell; Jodi Coxwell; Florida state representative Travis Cummings ; JAX Chamber president and CEO Daniel Davis; Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association president and CEO Carol Dover; Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford; president of

2124-416: The country. At one point, no press was not going to be granted access to the Charlotte formal convention meeting. On August 1, a Republican convention spokesperson said that, "Given the health restrictions and limitations in place within the state of North Carolina, we are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press" for the entirety of the convention. The decision to bar press was criticized by

2183-666: The courthouse complex on October 28, 2004. At the same time, the mayor's office confirmed a $ 759 million shortage in Better Jacksonville Plan funding. The office cited rising construction costs as part of the reason for the budget deficit. Afterward all work on the complex ceased for several years. In 2008, the Jacksonville City Council approved work on the facility for a contractor guaranteed cost of $ 350 million. Construction actually began in May 2009, with more than 400 workers engaged for over

2242-438: The delegates (336 out of 2,550) gathered physically in Charlotte. with six delegates from each state and territory. On August 5, convention planners announced a number of health and safety rules for the delegates, vendors, and staff who will gather physically. With most of the convention canceled, proxy voting via the attendees was the method of choice. Donald Trump, the sole candidate, received 2,550 certified votes (100% of

2301-482: The display. The display was reported by USA Today to have used more than 7,800 fireworks. The display lasted roughly six minutes. The display included fireworks which spelled-out the words "Trump 2020". The New York Times described the fireworks display as having been "extensive". The display was created by Fireworks by Grucci , and cost the Trump campaign $ 477,000. Fireworks by Grucci had previously created

2360-418: The existing ground-level railroad crossing. This helps alleviate traffic delays caused at this crossing by passing trains. A pedestrian overpass has been constructed to bridge three sets of railroad tracks at this location, providing residents safe passage over this busy crossing. A pedestrian overpass has been constructed to span the existing single-track railroad crossing, presenting walkers and runners with

2419-589: The exterior work nearly finished. The courthouse opened on June 18, 2012. As of late 2014, sales tax revenue was $ 14 million below what had been projected under plan assumptions, mostly due to the Great Recession . To pay for expenditures, the city borrowed money from other city funds, to be repaid as tax collections rose. Renovation of the old federal courthouse, replaced by the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse ,

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2478-1197: The far-reaching plan work. The BJP was codified as Section 761 of Jacksonville's Code of Ordinances and administered by the City of Jacksonville, the JEA , and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority , in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation . A Sunset provision will terminate the half-penny sales tax used as part of funding the program, to be completed around 2010, no later than 2030. The Better Jacksonville Plan financed $ 105 million to resurface streets in Jacksonville that had not been paved since 1985. The Department of Public Works paved nearly 1,800 miles of streets before it ended in September, 2007. The plan also financed $ 20 million to fund construction of new neighborhood sidewalks. These include widening, adding curbs and stormwater drainage infrastructure. A six-lane vehicular overpass has been constructed to replace

2537-424: The fireworks display for Trumps' "Salute to America" Independence Day celebrations in 2019 and 2020 . The fireworks display was regarded to have been impressive. The use of property owned by the NPS for the convention's closing fireworks display was argued by some experts to raise ethics concerns that may be in violation of the Hatch Act . Sophia Anken of Business Insider observed that Trump's use of

2596-564: The first major sporting events to be held in the country after restrictions to slow the COVID-19 pandemic went into effect in March. In April 2021 it hosted UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 , in front of the largest crowd for an indoor sport in more than a year after Florida lifted their restrictions. In April 2022, it hosted UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie . The UFC returned to the arena in June 2023 for UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria . On October 17, 2006, an episode of ECW on Sci-Fi

2655-429: The five U.S. territories. Bonus delegates are awarded to each state and territory based on whether it had elected (if applicable) through December 31, 2019 (after the 2019 off-year elections ): a Republican governor, Republican majorities in either one or both chambers in its state legislature, one or two Republicans to the U.S. Senate, or a Republican majority in its delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. A state

2714-682: The following three days of the convention being held in Jacksonville. On July 16, the Jacksonville Republican National Convention Host Committee sent out a letter announcing that, in addition to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, other venues in Jacksonville would be used, including TIAA Bank Field , Daily's Place , 121 Financial Park , and "several other" venues. However, with the explosion of COVID-19 cases peaking at above 15,000 cases per day in mid-July,

2773-499: The initial members were announced, Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin denied his participation, despite having been listed as a member. Leon Haley Jr. left his position on the committee days after his membership was announced. The committee reported having raised $ 4,650,135.20. As of October 2020, the committee had $ 840,000 in unspent funds. The Committee on Arrangements for the convention was formed in July 2018. It had fifteen departments with

2832-417: The meeting said were likely either Dallas or San Antonio " were finalists to host the convention. Other sources named Dallas, Texas , and New York City, New York , as prospective hosts, while Las Vegas, Nevada ; Nashville, Tennessee ; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; and San Antonio, Texas had been under consideration earlier. However, Charlotte was the only city in the country to officially submit

2891-410: The nomination in person in Charlotte. However, on August 5, he said he would "likely" accept the Republican nomination from the White House . A decision to accept a party's nomination from the White House would break a norm; the Associated Press noted that it would "mark an unprecedented use of federal property for partisan political purposes." The proposed plans also raised legal questions under

2950-533: The possibility of moving the convention out of Charlotte after North Carolina governor Roy Cooper stated that the convention would need to be scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic . On June 2, 2020, after weeks of failed negotiations, Governor Cooper rejected the plans submitted by the Republican Party to host a full-scale convention. Trump announced the cancellation via tweet, stating, "Because of [Cooper], we are now forced to seek another state to host

3009-474: The possibility of the Jacksonville convention being canceled as well began to be discussed. Several of the local health restrictions in Charlotte that had prompted the RNC to seek a different location—requirements for people to wear masks and practice social distancing—were later adopted by Jacksonville. Sen. Chuck Grassley , who was 86 years old, said he would skip the convention for the first time in 40 years due to

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3068-411: The risk of COVID-19. On July 23, Trump announced that RNC events scheduled in Jacksonville, Florida, had been cancelled, saying, "The timing for the event is not right." However, Trump also announced that delegate business would still continue in Charlotte. On August 14, it was announced that much of the convention would take place at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. (part of

3127-502: The total), including one delegate that had been pledged for Bill Weld . Scott Walker placed Pence's name in nomination, who was nominated by voice vote . This was the first time the vice-presidential nomination came first. Michael Whatley , the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party , placed the president's name in nomination and Florida state senator Joe Gruters seconded the nomination. This

3186-604: Was also awarded additional bonus delegates if it was won by the Republican candidate, Trump, in the 2016 presidential election. Las Vegas, Nevada , and Charlotte, North Carolina , were mentioned as possible locations for the 2020 RNC due to their locations within " swing states ." Neither had ever hosted a Republican National Convention , although Charlotte had hosted the 2012 Democratic National Convention . A Charlotte television station , WBTV , reported that Charlotte, Las Vegas, and "another unnamed city in Texas , which sources at

3245-492: Was expected to begin during 2015 at a cost of $ 7 million. A special committee was created by the city council to determine the remaining work on the BJP, obligations to other funds, and to project a realistic completion date. Their report was delayed until early 2015 to allow time to evaluate the condition of city bond funds. 2020 Republican National Convention The 2020 Republican National Convention in which delegates of

3304-454: Was followed by the traditional roll-call of the states. The roll-call was interrupted by addresses from Walker, Vice President Pence, and President Trump himself, who spoke over an hour. All of them addressed the crowd in-person, having flown to Charlotte. Once this formal business of the convention was over, the festivities moved to the nation's capital , and speeches, entertainments and other surprises were presented from venues throughout

3363-592: Was founded by former Orlando Predators executive Jeff Bouchy, who is also the brother of former Orlando Predators owner Brett Bouchy. The Sharks generally have maintained the highest attendance among the arena's regular tenants. The arena hosted the 2011 ABA All-Star Game , which took place on February 26, 2011. In 2012, the arena was home to the Jacksonville Bullies of the Professional Lacrosse League . In 2013 and 2014, it

3422-613: Was held in the arena. In 2007, the arena held the WWE pay-per-view event One Night Stand in 2007 . As of 2024, it is the only WWE pay-per-view the arena hosted. However, the arena still hosts various Raw and SmackDown shows. The arena found huge success when the arena became the home of the Jacksonville Sharks in 2010 when they were introduced as an expansion team of the Arena Football League. The team

3481-556: Was home to the Jacksonville Breeze of the Legends Football League . In 2016, Rihanna opened her Anti World Tour at the arena, which attracted an audience of 11,000 people. On December 1, 2019 Ariana Grande held a concert at the arena, which was part of her Sweetener World Tour . Monster Jam came to the arena in 2018, and again the following year. The arena was scheduled to host days 2-4 of

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