City, school board begin talks on rebuilding Citizens Field and MLK campus

City commissioners, the Alachua County School Board and consultants on Wednesday began formal negotiations over the future of the roughly 36‑acre Citizens Field / MLK campus, directing staff to explore partnership and funding options while leaving final decisions for later public processes.

Consultants from NV5 summarized a months‑long study of the entire campus and presented two concept plans that differ mainly by phasing and footprint. NV5 said the study will produce a preliminary site plan in June, subject to further decisions and stakeholder input. The consultant also flagged the Dwight Hunter pool and the MLK community center as facilities at the end of their useful life that must be part of any comprehensive plan.

The matter matters because Citizens Field anchors high‑school athletics and neighborhood uses in East Gainesville and sits on land city officials called a long‑term civic asset. Commissioners and school board members said modernizing the stadium, pool and community facilities could support youth sports, neighborhood recreation and broader economic development if financing and siting questions are resolved.

Mayor Gina Ward prefaced the discussion by telling the committee the city was not prepared to make final decisions immediately: “we are not in a position right now to make all the big decisions nor do we intend to make all the big decisions,” she said, adding the goal is to move toward a plan “sometime probably in the middle of this summer.” NV5’s Robert Walpole said the project team has looked across a range of fixes from “a light renovation all the way to a brand new ground up stadium,” and that phasing will determine where facilities can remain open while others are rebuilt.

School Board Chair Rockwell told the committee the board passed a motion at its meeting the night before “to empower Dr. Patton to negotiate with Ms. Curry to figure out what this partnership is going to look like moving forward.” Rockwell said the district has capital funds usable only on district‑owned property, so a transfer or exchange of property and related agreements will need careful negotiation.

Commissioners and other participants pressed on scope and cost. NV5 and staff offered estimates that, for the whole campus, range from roughly $100 million to $150 million at the high end. For the stadium specifically, staff and consultants gave a lower renovation figure near $10 million and a higher, full replacement figure with a track near $35 million; the consultants confirmed those ranges on the record. Commissioner David Eastman said those figures made scope and funding decisions urgent.

Commissioner Stanley Chestnut emphasized a continued city commitment to East Gainesville and said Citizens Field was “not for sale, not for trade, and not for swap.” Several commissioners said they would consider property conveyance or long‑term leasing to enable use of school district capital dollars but insisted any transfer must include enforceable obligations to guarantee the community outcomes discussed.

The presence of Gainesville Fire Rescue’s training facility on the campus prompted repeated discussion. NV5 observed the fire‑training area occupies roughly three acres and limits site options; several commissioners and the city manager said staff are pursuing alternative sites for the training facility so the property can be redesigned as a civic park and sports campus.

Commissioner Chestnut moved and a colleague seconded a direction for staff; the committee voted to direct the city manager to work with the school superintendent to explore: a partnership for Citizens Field; economic revenue generation for the city; partnerships with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce; and mixed‑use sports and development along Northeast Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will continue negotiated conversations with the school district and return with options, dates and cost estimates as NV5 finalizes the preliminary site plan. The consultants and city staff said more community meetings and a joint meeting with the school board are likely parts of the calendar.

Votes at a glance: The committee directed the city manager to pursue negotiations and partnership options with the school district; the motion passed unanimously.