Plans to transform a long-dormant landfill into a sprawling sports complex are on hold as questions regarding the extent of soil contamination at the site remain unanswered.<\/p>\n
Pinellas County commissioners approved a $250,000 budget amendment Dec. 16 to complete subsurface investigation and engineering work at the former Toytown landfill. The state decommissioned the 175-acre dump, at 10540 16th St. N., in 1990.<\/p>\n
County officials believe the anomalous, wide swath of vacant land near I-275 and Roosevelt Boulevard is ideally suited to host increasingly lucrative youth sports tournaments. In March, a local company submitted conceptual plans that included 20 synthetic turf baseball and softball diamonds, 17 multipurpose fields, 24 pickleball and 12 sand volleyball courts.<\/p>\n
Brian Lowack, CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC), explained the conundrum to commissioners at a Dec. 11 workshop. \u201cWe have a ton of data from throughout the years of what\u2019s under that landfill, but there were existing gaps that needed to be addressed in order to put pen to paper and provide a concrete proposal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve seen is, because we have this data gap, and folks don\u2019t know what\u2019s under there, they haven\u2019t been willing to take on that risk,\u201d Lowack said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t been able to get the private sector to come in at a reasonable amount, limiting that public side investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clearwater-based Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) was the sole respondent to the county\u2019s request for proposals in December 2024. Lowack said Pinellas would boast the most fields in the Southeast if the estimated $150 million to $200 million plan comes to fruition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd given that, with the proximity to the beach, we have the potential to have the best youth sports facility in the country,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
County officials bought the former Toytown subdivision in 1956. St. Petersburg leased 160 acres for a landfill from 1961 until 1983.<\/p>\n
Toytown subsequently became a designated brownfield site. Multiple redevelopment attempts failed to gain traction; those efforts were essentially paused in 2016 when plans to build an Atlanta Braves spring training complex unraveled.<\/p>\n
Pinellas received a $15 million state grant for environmental remediation in 2023. SFC has experience completing similar projects nationwide and believes an athletic complex would generate a direct economic impact of $350 million within five years.<\/p>\n
Lowack said the county has \u201cmaxed out\u201d other athletic fields, and local governments around the region and country are increasing investments in youth sports facilities. SFC declined to begin formal negotiations with VSPC until it received additional site information.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been talked about for a long time \u2014 it would be a tremendous project,\u201d said County Administrator Barry Burton. \u201cBut we have to make sure we understand what we\u2019re getting ourselves into. These firms want to shift the risk to our side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials planned to redevelop approximately 95 acres. The study will determine if there is potential to expand into other areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe simply don\u2019t know what\u2019s under there, and what materials that consists of, and how deep that goes,\u201d Lowack explained. \u201cIf you put just a bunch of fields, with no vertical construction, we can do that. However, it\u2019s going to be difficult, and you likely wouldn\u2019t receive much private sector investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commissioner Rene Flowers said a complex needs \u201caccessory pieces,\u201d including lodging and restaurants, to attract premier tournaments from other areas. SFC proposed an optional \u201ceatertainment\u201d fieldhouse with indoor putting, sports simulators and an \u201cinteractive dining experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinellas can use the FDEP grant to pay for environmental remediation, but not subsurface investigations. Commissioners approved using $250,000 in tourist development taxes to fund the studies Dec. 16 without discussion.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Kathleen Peters said Dec. 11 that Toytown could host an amphitheater and a sports complex. She also noted that the county could have competing projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my understanding that there\u2019s going to be a significant amount of fields being brought into Clearwater in a public-private partnership that I saw the plans on a couple of weeks ago,\u201d Peters said. \u201cThat\u2019s incredible. And a potential minor league soccer stadium. That may produce sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lowack said SFC is also working on the Clearwater project. \u201cIf you\u2019re working with the same firm, then I\u2019m not concerned,\u201d Peters said.<\/p>\n
VSPC, with the commission\u2019s funding approval, will now hire SFC\u2019s geotechnical subcontractor to complete the studies. Pinellas can begin grant-related work once the process concludes in March 2026.<\/p>\n
Lowack expects to receive a final proposal from SFC by the end of June. The redevelopment\u2019s design and engineering phase could begin in October.<\/p>\n