Board approves placeholder land-lease for 'Project Grace' indoor sports venue; details to follow
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Summary
Commissioners unanimously authorized a nonbinding public-private placeholder agreement for Project Grace at the Premier Sports Campus, allowing the county to negotiate a land-lease for a proposed indoor/multipurpose sports and ice facility with private capital backing.
The Manatee County Board on Feb. 17 voted unanimously to enter a nonbinding economic stimulus public-private partnership agreement creating a placeholder parcel for what staff called "Project Grace," a proposed indoor sports venue that could include ice facilities, multipurpose courts and food-and-beverage amenities.
Brett Anderson and staff described the LOI as a conceptual framework: the private partner will provide a proposed program, capital stack and operational model, while the county would offer a land lease for county-owned property and consider targeted incentives if needed (staff noted tourism tax was a potential incentive). The staff packet showed the county providing site "dirt" as leverage and indicated private investment could reach roughly $50 million, though no final negotiated deal was presented.
Commissioners asked about intended uses and traffic/parking impacts. Commissioner Bob McCann asked specifically whether the facility would be an ice rink; staff answered it could support ice activities (hockey, figure skating, curling) and be configured for other sports, with the partner proposing the number of ice sheets. Commissioner George Cruz and others said the proposal aims to boost tournament business, youth programs and local recreation while leveraging private funds. Public commenters urged caution on infrastructure and workforce housing impacts, and one commenter questioned whether permanent, well-paying jobs would result from the project.
The board's motion to "approve the agreement to enter into the economic stimulus public-private partnership" was made by Commissioner Cruz and seconded by Commissioner Ron and passed unanimously. Staff said a negotiated deal and any lease terms would return to the board for formal approval on a regular agenda in coming months.
What happens next: county staff will negotiate terms with private partners and present a negotiated agreement and site plan for future board consideration.
