Letter: The future of storied Citizens Field
Letter to the editor
The future of Citizens Field in Gainesville is hanging in the balance right now due to dysfunction amongst local government agencies. There is enough blame to go around for how we got here, but to overlook the significance of this local historical landmark in the quest to try and win a pissing contest is not only wrong, it is stooping to a new low at the most inopportune time.
This is not the time to seek options for increasing taxpayer spending. Now is the time to collaborate and make the most of our resources collectively.
Forty years ago, it was clear to everyone that the City owned Citizens Field and leased it to the school board; that was how it was meant to be. While many things have changed since then, necessitating a closer examination of the evolving dynamics surrounding this arrangement, it is important not to lose sight of what is truly at stake.
The addition of the GCRA was intended to benefit the west side of NE Eighth Ave and Waldo Road area, but now it appears to be more of a trap if it leads to the demolition of another historical landmark.
Storied Citizens Field should be seen as Gainesville’s version of Wrigley Field or Fenway Park, two old historic stadiums that can never be replaced because they were originally quaint before quaint became a thing.
Demolishing this landmark would be as absurd as tearing down the Seagle building. Unfortunately, the lack of consciousness-raising efforts about City landmarks has left Citizens Field as the last significant historical structure that stands between the Seagle building and the wrecking ball.
In Alachua County, we prioritize preservation and conservation. We strongly oppose large out-of-town developers getting richer by destroying cherished community landmarks in favor of some tawdry monstrosity.
Given the high costs of new construction, it seems unreasonable to consider building private stadiums on high school campuses using school property tax funds. Creating a stadium from the ground up, complete with modern amenities that the community can be proud of, would likely cost at least as much as the County’s new $30 million animal shelter.
The possibility of building new stadiums on karst-sensitive land that will destroy more wildlife habitat, create even more light pollution, disrupt honeybees’ personal flight paths, and create more sprawl; this is not who we are.
The county public school system already has enough problems to worry about and shouldn’t be burdened with the prospect of having to buy or build stadiums. All that is needed to make Citizens Field work is some good old-fashioned honest brokering between the parties.
Citizens Field just needs a little TLC
Citizens Field is located on what was once one of Gainesville’s busiest economic corridors. Though the area was abandoned, it still stands tall with grace and pride. When I’m sitting in the stadium, I look around and can’t help but reminisce about the storied history of the place.
The foundation is strong, and the stadium just needs a little love to reach its potential.
Quaint venues can be immensely valuable if marketed properly. Citizens Field has a unique charm, and with a few strategic cosmetic upgrades, it has the potential to be a significant revenue generator. Although its age and the absence of modern seating may appear as drawbacks, they can actually be seen as advantages. The historical significance and nostalgic charm of the venue evoke memories of earlier times, making comfort a less important factor for being there.
The necessary game-changing upgrades the stadium needs primarily involve media technology. I know I shouldn’t use the word “technology” when talking about local government decision-making, but it is time for them to cross the Rubicon; technology is good and shouldn’t be feared.
Media technology would mean adding a couple of quality Jumbotron monitors, along with cameras and an AI-driven, computerized media setup that allows for real-time playback for replays and other in-stadium activities and is so user-friendly that freshmen students can operate it.
Technology has the potential to transform the space into much more than just an athletic field. With large screens and a charming atmosphere, it can host a variety of events that generate revenue.
Technology upgrades will cost only a small fraction of the amounts being discussed for building new stadiums and will provide a return on investment that far surpasses anything I’ve heard so far.
This would not only be a good start for getting something tangible done at Eighth and Waldo, but it would be good for the public school system.
If all the agencies (City, County, GCRA, TIF, ACPS) collaborate and work toward completing the Citizens Field component of the project, it would greatly enhance confidence in our local government’s ability to confront future challenges as a unified front.
Every high school team in North Central Florida would love the opportunity to have an away game in Gainesville, where they can see themselves play on the big screen with replays.
A high-tech Citizens Field should be the perennial choice for the Gators’ orange and blue game.
Alachua County has a robust tourism department that should be able to book soccer matches from across the state, as there are no other charming, old-school venues like this one remaining.
With proper coordination among local government agencies, Citizens Field can be a big win for all parties involved.
This should be a slam dunk or a tee shot for those who are looking for options on how best to move forward with the project.
Anthony Johnson, eastern unincorporated area of Alachua County
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Excellent article. This is so simple and a sincere effort at finding a solution to bring this dream along. The city should sell and the ACSB should own and operate this facility as it would best serve all of the community. The upside and contribution could last decades and give pride to the whole Alachua county school family that they could be proud of. You could also provide jobs at a serious venue run right for the Eastside community.
This is a great opportunity if done right. Don’t blow this.
People need to stop trying to make Citizen’s Field more than it is.
I believe it would be an eye-opening revelation to know what the revenues from those 40+ years of Citizens Field have been spent on, or at least the account they’ve been shuffled into.
Schools man the attendance booth and get the gate. Concession typically booster run.
Athletic Departments pay out of the school athletic budget for the opportunity to host and use Citizens.
Citizens field is staffed by ACSB employees (2?) to maintain and line the fields and all the other duties.
Someone should interview Mr Charlie Wise now retired ACSB athletic director, he managed the facility for decade plus.
Early on there was a document that showed structural soundness of the stadium, SB investments of ~250k per year in facility upkeep and maintenance if I remember correctly.
I look forward to seeing what the “alternative” options look like when it’s brought back before the SB.
Ocala off campus stadium is also being considered for renovation
“Marion County school officials are considering a sweeping $20 million renovation of Booster Stadium, a facility that has seen few upgrades since it was built more than five decades ago.
The proposal, discussed during a Sept. 18 school board work session, would overhaul the 5,500-seat stadium with new locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and storage facilities built beneath expanded bleachers. Plans also call for an artificial turf field, a synthetic track and a multi-use entrance building that could house offices, classrooms or a meeting space.”
Still didn’t indicate where the funds went, just that athletic departments paid to use the field. Where did those funds go?
From what I’ve discovered, the school district maintains the field as an agreement with the City, and the City doesn’t pay for the maintenance; the District does. The incompetent financial idiots in City Hall have diverted funds for years for their virtue signaling programs instead of maintaining the property. It’s like that around here. Look at the roads or the multi-use paths — lots of them, but poorly maintained. That’s part of the reason I believe the recent negotiations fell apart (as mentioned before). Who wants to pay for something they don’t actually own?
Turning an old boondoggle into a new boondoggle with a Jumbotron…
Do they want real grass or astroturf?
Where do the kids practice playing at? That’s where they should play the game..
you don’t need a Jumbotron..…
some simple bleachers on the side of the school field., a small concession stand , and some porta potties. Case solved.
Where are the famous football 🏈 players who make $millions playing the sport? Where’s Steve Spurrier wanting to donate?
“The foundation is strong, and the stadium just needs a little love to reach its potential.” This is laughable, at best. This will be the next SuperFund site for remediation. NOT including parking. NOT including the ‘technology wish list’. If you think it will only take $4.9 million to rehab Citizen’s Field into the dream image you have in mind, can I show you some oceanfront property in Arizona you’d be willing to purchase sight unseen?
https://alachuachronicle.com/school-board-decides-against-building-a-stadium-at-citizens-field-asks-for-more-options/
We don’t need high dollar expensive “stadiums”, but we certainly need these three high schools to have on site fields that will accommodate multiple sports functions such as Football, Soccer and Lacrosse. These schools simply need a scoreboard, bleachers, bathrooms, concessions and a box for the play by play to call the game from. One only has to look at the schools with existing fields such as Newberry and Hawthorne to realize we do not need college level fields for our HS players to showcase their talents. The ACSB would be wise to stay away from purchasing Citizens Field and focus on what is best for our schools and our students, this alone has been incredibly challenging for the school board for the past decade. While the school board focuses our tax dollars on enriching themselves, they would benefit from an organizational restructuring which focuses more on improving teachers’ pay, morale, and school assets. They already take the bulk of our property tax dollars and can’t figure out how to be fiducially responsible with those funds.