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Fernandina Beach weighs buying airport parcel or using off‑island sites to preserve youth soccer
Summary
The commission reviewed FAA deed restrictions, a required environmental assessment (EA due summer 2026), and options to replace 15.25 acres of soccer fields (appraisal ~$3.5M; estimated lease value $350,000/yr). Commissioners asked staff for more detailed cost comparisons, town halls and a follow-up workshop.
Fernandina Beach commissioners spent the workshop debating how to preserve or replace soccer fields now sited on federally obligated airport property at the Ybor Alvarez complex.
Nathan Coyle, the airport manager, reminded the commission that the airport’s property includes federal deed restrictions from the Surplus Property Act and subsequent FAA grant assurances. He said non-aviation uses require FAA approval, typically at fair market value and subject to a Federal Register review; a formal release of obligations would also be required to remove land from federal obligation.
Coyle said staff has started the environmental assessment (EA) required before requesting release of obligations and that the EA is expected to be complete in summer 2026. He also noted a State FDOT T-hangar grant for the airport (about $950,000, 50/50 match) that was extended to August 2027, creating a construction timeline pressure for hangar-related work.
Parks Director Scott Michaelson outlined potential replacement or interim sites: (1) purchase or long-term lease of 15.25 acres on the east side of the airport (appraisal reported at $3,500,000; staff noted an estimated fair-market lease value of $350,000 per year); (2) collaboration with Nassau County at the Yulee Sports Complex (102 acres) to provide off-island fields; (3) Hickory Street Park (9.5 acres) as a stopgap with limited lighting and parking; and (4) a 20-acre city-owned parcel that would require design, utilities and potential tree removal.
Staff estimated construction of replacement fields could add roughly $2.0–$2.5 million on top of land costs if the city pursues on-island replacement. Commissioners noted the county’s $1.7 million interlocal offer toward purchase or construction, discussed whether impact fees could be used, and weighed operational savings from "do nothing" against the loss of youth-sports capacity.
Vice Mayor (speaker 5) warned that abandoning purchase could lead to increased hangar development: "If we don't purchase it, it's gonna become airport hangars," and urged caution about losing the 15-acre conservation/recreation opportunity. Other commissioners urged staff to vet the top three options more deeply, hold town halls to get input from youth sports organizations, and return with more detailed cost and timeline estimates.
Chair summarized the workshop direction: staff should gather more information, convene community engagement (town halls), and bring the refined options back at a future workshop. No formal vote or land purchase decision was made at the meeting.
