Daytona wants to sink $53 million into Jackie Robinson Ballpark and a new fire station

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·5 min read
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DAYTONA BEACH — After deciding to invest millions of dollars in Jackie Robinson Ballpark improvements, and to build a new fire station, the city started the process of how to pay for those projects.

City commissioners gave initial consideration to issuing $53 million in bonds to pay for the two endeavors at their meeting Tuesday night. Commissioners will make a final decision at their March 20 meeting.

If approved, the capital improvement revenue bonds will pay for the design and construction of a new Fire Station No. 1 on Ridgewood Avenue, and to buy an aerial fire truck and fire engine apparatus.

Improvements at Daytona Beach's historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark will tally around $30 million in the coming years. The city is considering issuing bonds to cover expenses.
Improvements at Daytona Beach's historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark will tally around $30 million in the coming years. The city is considering issuing bonds to cover expenses.

The money would also cover costs for the first phase of improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Plans call for everything from new hitting and pitching tunnels to a new entry gate and new event space. The Tortugas hope to also eventually add a new children's play area, new lighting, new restrooms, new concession areas and all-new bucket seating.

Commissioners also decided Tuesday night to open First Step Shelter to homeless people in DeLand for the first time since the shelter opened at the end of 2019.

New chapter for Daytona's Fire Station No. 1

If commissioners give the OK at their next meeting, the city will issue $53 million in bonds with a public offering. The city would start to pay off the debt in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, and the revenue for those payments would not come from property taxes.

Payments would come from other revenue sources such as impact fees, user fees, state sales tax distribution, local option distributions, franchise fees, intergovernmental revenues and interest from investments.

Bonds are issued by governments and corporations when they want to raise money. The bond purchasers give the issuer a loan, and the issuer agrees to pay back the loan by a specific date, with interest.

Capital improvement bonds are used by governments to fund major infrastructure projects and upgrades for roads, bridges, schools and other public facilities.

Daytona Beach's Fire Station No. 1 on Beach Street has been in operation since it was built in 1925. The building was not designed for modern firefighting needs, and city officials decided they need a new, larger Station No. 1 on another site. The new Station No. 1 will be built on Ridgewood Avenue.
Daytona Beach's Fire Station No. 1 on Beach Street has been in operation since it was built in 1925. The building was not designed for modern firefighting needs, and city officials decided they need a new, larger Station No. 1 on another site. The new Station No. 1 will be built on Ridgewood Avenue.

The city plans to spend about $2 million on the design and construction management services for the new Fire Station No. 1 and a new administration building next to it.

The city is spending another $1.5 million to purchase the properties at 414, 418 and 464 S. Ridgewood Ave. that will be used for the new station and administration building. Building construction is expected to cost another $26.5 million, and new fire engine apparatus and an aerial fire truck will cost an additional $2.6 million, city records indicate.

The new station will be about 27,000 square feet, more than three times bigger than the current Station No. 1 on Beach Street.

Big investments coming to Daytona ballpark

The city owns Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The lease agreement with the Daytona Tortugas that city commissioners approved last year includes a promise for the city to complete the first phase of capital improvements to the ballpark by December 2025.

The cost for that first round of ballpark improvements is estimated to tally between $17 million and $20 million.

Renovations to the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark are already underway with demolition of the roof, electrical system and fans finished, according to a report in a city manager newsletter released Tuesday.

The steel structure above the seating area was pressure washed and painted, and the underside of the grandstands will be painted in the near future, according to the newsletter.

Roof framing and new electrical apparatus are being installed now and are expected to be completed this month. Work is on schedule to be finished by the Daytona Tortugas home opening game on April 9, city officials said.

The 20-year lease agreement city commissioners approved in November also comes with a commitment for the city to spend another $11.6 million in a second phase of upgrades to the ballpark.

About five years ago, Major League Baseball decided it was going to eliminate 42 minor league clubs. The Daytona Tortugas learned in December 2020 that the Cincinnati Reds extended an invitation to keep Daytona as an affiliate.
About five years ago, Major League Baseball decided it was going to eliminate 42 minor league clubs. The Daytona Tortugas learned in December 2020 that the Cincinnati Reds extended an invitation to keep Daytona as an affiliate.

Improvements could include upgraded and expanded dugouts, a security command center for the ballpark, new locker rooms and fitness areas, and dining facilities.

The roughly $30 million that will be spent in the two phases of upgrades could also be used for things such as secure parking spots for players and staff members, new fencing and netting, and a new team store.

Other changes could include the demolition of the existing clubhouse facilities to free up space for expanded community gathering areas, a new multi-purpose civic pavilion and access between all grandstands. The gate could also be pushed back to free up new space for fans to socialize.

Also in the masterplan: more women's restrooms; new ticket booths; expanded walkways for visitors' safety; and plaza expansion.

DeLand can now use Daytona homeless shelter

The First Step Shelter Board has now grown to nine members. At its meeting Tuesday night, city commissioners unanimously agreed to appoint DeLand City Manager Michael Pleus to the homeless shelter's board of directors.

It will be the first time in the shelter's history that a west Volusia County city or organization will have a representative on the First Step board. Current board members represent Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet.

Past board members have represented Holly Hill and South Daytona. Holly Hill still contributes to the shelter financially, as does Daytona Beach Shores.

All First Step Shelter Board appointments are made by the Daytona Beach City Commission. Board members must contribute to the shelter either personally, through a business they're connected to, or as a representative of a government agency. The contribution can be funding, property, expertise or other forms of assistance.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark improvements: Grand slam: Daytona Tortugas to call Jackie Robinson Ballpark home for next 20 years

At their Feb. 19 meeting, DeLand city commissioners agreed to contribute $69,368 annually to be able to send homeless people in their city to First Step Shelter and have the city manager become a voting member of the shelter board.

First Step Shelter board members approved Pleus' nomination at their Feb. 26 meeting.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach wants to invest $53 million in ballpark and fire station