Fernandina Beach officials weigh purchase, land swap and off‑island options to preserve Ybor Alvarez soccer fields

Scott Michaelson, parks and recreation, told the Fernandina Beach City Commission at a March workshop that the Ybor Alvarez Soccer Complex sits on roughly 22–23 acres of city airport land and that the city needs a long‑term plan to protect its investment from potential aeronautical reuse.

"This land sits on city airport land... we have to make sure that we secure it so they couldn't take that investment away from us," Michaelson said, summarizing why staff brought options to the commission.

The city has considered several paths: purchase a portion of the airport property, enter a long‑term lease at fair market value, build replacement fields off the island using a county interlocal commitment, or pursue a land‑swap to reduce FAA obligations. Nate Coyle, airport manager, told commissioners the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has consistently maintained that fair‑market‑value rules apply to the parcel and that any purchase requires an environmental assessment (EA) and FAA review of appraisals.

Why it matters: The parcel currently supports youth soccer and adult softball programs used by Amelia Island Youth Soccer and other community groups. Losing the island fields would shift play off the island or require the city to pay for land acquisition and field construction.

Key details and figures

- Appraisal and price: Staff said a recent appraisal puts the purchase value at about $3,500,000; because the property exceeds $1,000,000, the FAA requires two appraisals plus a third‑party review to set the sale price.

- Construction and combined cost: Staff estimated roughly $3,500,000 to construct replacement fields on the parcel in addition to the purchase price (staff figures produced a combined estimate in the $6.6M–$7.0M range depending on option and scope).

- County contribution: The county has committed $1,700,000 under an interlocal agreement; city staff (Ms. Campbell) said the county indicated it would be willing to extend that offer to match new timelines.

- Environmental review: Coyle said an EA is required before the FAA will approve a purchase/release; the current EA is expected to finish in 2027 under present schedules, and restarting the EA for an alternate configuration would add roughly 3–4 months.

Proposals on the table

- Option A (staff‑favored cost‑control approach): Use the county’s $1.7M toward constructing fields at the East Regional Park off the island. Pros: no land acquisition. Cons: no guaranteed city use and fields are off the island.

- Option B (construct on airport land): Purchase part of the airport parcel and construct fields there. Pros: keeps fields on the island and leverages existing infrastructure; receives the county commitment. Cons: large upfront purchase and construction cost and FAA obligations; estimated ~ $6.6M total.

- Option C (Simmons parcel): Use city‑owned Simmons parcel. Pros: city owns land. Cons: heavy tree cover, wetlands impacts and higher estimated construction cost (~$4.5M).

- Option D (golf course): Convert city golf course land to fields. Pros: no acquisition. Cons: highest cost (~$10M), long timeline and loss of golf revenue; staff did not recommend.

Flip/land‑swap concept

Vice Mayor Askew proposed a ‘‘flip’’: move planned hangars toward the runway/softball side and preserve the existing soccer fields and their parking. "If we flipped those... and left the soccer fields where they are... we don't have to construct soccer fields at that point," Askew said, urging staff to produce a conceptual site plan and discuss the idea with the FAA. Staff said the FAA has informally supported studying the concept but formal approval is not guaranteed.

Financing and timing

Commissioners discussed funding methods including a possible general obligation bond for the November ballot and charging nonresident users higher field fees. City staff said getting bond language on the November ballot would be tight but potentially feasible; staff also advised that bond measures require concrete cost figures and specifics about how the money would be spent.

Next steps and commission direction

With time running short, the commission signaled consensus to give staff direction to further evaluate the flip/land‑swap option, produce a conceptual site plan (staff estimated a 2–3 week timeline for a conceptual sketch), refine cost and financing scenarios, and continue FAA engagement and the EA process. The workshop recessed for a short break and the commission requested a follow‑up with more detailed budgets and siting options.

The workshop did not produce a final vote; commissioners asked staff to return with site plans, refined appraisals, updated EA timing and financing options for a future meeting.