By Kate Kimmel
The Nassau County Commission on Monday approved three separate land purchases totaling $580,000, advancing plans for both the Yulee Sports Complex and the county’s future animal resources campus.
Commissioners voted to purchase 0.2 acres from the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, Inc. for $80,000 to expand the Yulee Sports Complex along Pages Dairy Road. The additional land will extend the boundaries of the facility’s t-ball field, which commissioners said is strained by growing demand.
“This is very vital to the community of Yulee. The sports complex is a regional facility busting at the seams,” Commissioner Jeff Gray said.
The expansion, though small, comes as Yulee’s population continues to grow and demand for youth sports facilities increases. In neighboring Fernandina Beach, participation has climbed so sharply that officials have discussed purchasing land at the Yulee complex to build additional soccer fields.
The agreement is contingent on an appraisal confirming that the property’s fair market value is at least equal to the purchase price. If the appraisal comes back lower, Assistant County Attorney Elizabeth Moore said the contract will return to the board for reconsideration.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of two parcels totaling $500,000 as part of a broader effort to assemble six properties along State Road 200 near the planned animal resources campus. The county is working to acquire the parcels to expand a Florida Department of Transportation retention pond adjacent to the 8-acre parcel purchased last year for the new facility.
County Manager Taco Pope said the acquisitions “will allow [the county] to expand the pond as necessary and provide additional flexibility.”
Although final construction plans are still in progress, the campus-style layout will likely require paving areas that now help absorb stormwater. Expanding the nearby retention pond is expected to mitigate the loss of natural drainage and reduce the risk of flooding.
The land purchases include a 0.52-acre vacant lot valued at $270,000 and a 0.19-acre parcel with a residence purchased for $300,000. Brandy Carvalho, the county’s director of strategic advancement, said she remains in contact with the remaining property owners and has had positive discussions with three of them.
County maps show that at least one of the remaining parcels includes a residence. Carvalho did not respond to inquiries about the county’s next steps in the acquisition effort.
