A group headed by former Major League Baseball all-star Gary Sheffield, GCJ Sports, LLC wants to redevelop Plant City Stadium and the surrounding areas to build the Gary Sheffield Sports Village, a more than $100 million complex bringing state-of-the-art facilities and residential and retail areas.
During the July 24 City Commission meeting, Plant City commissioners voted to authorize Interim City Manager Kim Leinbach to negotiate a contract with the group. The LLC, which also includes Chuck White and James Talton of Blue Marble Sports, hopes the complex will bring more business and tourism to the area and make Plant City a “global sports destination,” according to a request for proposal (RFP). The RFP states GCJ Sports was formed June 1 “specifically for the purpose of developing the Stadium Parcel, the Urban Forest, related amenity parcels and operating a sports complex in Plant City.”
The sports village was designed by the Evans Group, based out of Orlando. Boggs Engineering, of Plant City, and Rodda Construction, of Lakeland, are also listed as members of the development team.
Construction is planned for three phases, starting with the Gary Sheffield Sports Village and ending with the town center.
Construction of the complex will require the redevelopment of the Plant City Stadium parcel, the Urban Forest parcel and surrounding areas along East Park Road and Jim Johnson Road, acquiring 129.96 acres of land. The sports village will use all 74.66 acres of the stadium and surrounding land totaling nearly 130 acres. GCJ Sports has also offered to upgrade the stretch of road connecting East Park to Jim Johnson.
The existing property is planned to be converted into residential and retail areas, featuring a hotel, housing facilities, shopping areas and a micro hospital. The RFP calls for a minimum 200,000 square feet of “diverse retail and entertainment.” The Urban Forest Parcel (an urban forest on the site), in particular, has been identified as a spot for a town center with more than 650 residences.
Development costs are estimated to exceed $117 million, which includes paying off an existing bond of $1 million. The city’s annual $500,000 operating deficit subsidy would also be eliminated by GCJ Sports, per the RFP.
The construction of the sports village is expected to create more than 700 jobs in Plant City. Research conducted by Blue Marble Sports projects the sports village could have an annual economic impact of $150 million in Plant City. That includes “140,000 incremental room nights, over 1,200 full and part-time permanent jobs," and more than $4 million in incremental tax revenues for Hillsborough County.
Plant City’s location played a big part in its selection for the project. According to the RFP, west central Florida “has the highest concentration of year-round competitive amateur baseball with local and travel teams.” Developers hope the sports village will become a popular amateur tournament site and also offer services to allow baseball and softball players to develop their skills.
The city is currently in the negotiation process with GCJ Sports, though there is optimism in City Hall that a deal will be reached. Sheffield was not available to comment but, in July, Mayor Rick Lott told the Plant City Times & Observer that such an addition to Plant City could be a game-changer.
“This is our Legoland,” Lott said. “It’s our Busch Gardens. It’s that big of a deal for us.”