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Commission hears phased plan for Citizens Field; school board offered stadium purchase to reduce city costs
Summary
Staff outlined a phased redevelopment of Citizens Field and MLK site, proposing sale of the stadium parcel to Alachua County School Board for a share of remediation and infrastructure costs; commissioners discussed funding gaps and phasing to preserve pools, senior facility goals and remediation timelines.
City staff presented a revised, phased plan Dec. 4 to redevelop the Citizens Field / MLK site, emphasizing a first phase that focuses on site remediation, stormwater, multipurpose fields, parking upgrades and construction‑ready pads for future buildings including a senior center. The plan separates site work from stadium construction and proposes negotiating a sale of the stadium footprint to the Alachua County School Board. "We are recommending the sale of the stadium for a $5.5 million share of infrastructure costs," Brian Singleton, interim COO, told the commission, explaining the figure represents the proportionate share of remediation, stormwater and stadium parking infrastructure the school board would assume.
Staff presented an estimated cost schedule and a list of funding sources — CRA funds, county 'Wild Spaces/Public Places' grants, excess fund allocations and a possible HUD Section 108 loan — that together could cover a first tranche of site work but leave gaps to fund a vertical senior center or a full MLK renovation. Commissioners pressed staff on phasing options and a timeline for when a senior center or MLK renovations could be built; staff said making the site 'pad ready' would be the first priority and that additional funding would be needed to construct the vertical buildings.
The commission and staff also discussed the timing required for HUD loans and donor or legislative opportunities to fill funding gaps. "If the commission did change direction on this, we would likely move the allocated Vision 0 ARPA funding into Southwest 6th Street work," staff said when asked about reallocations.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the school board, finalize solicitations for architecture/CM services and return with recommended contract awards and funding confirmations.
