The City of Fernandina Beach may soon be on the hook for a $380,000 annual payment to retain use of the Ybor Alvarez soccer fields that sit on airport property. Because the land is owned by the Federal Aviation Administration, the municipality does not hold the title to the fields and must negotiate directly with the agency to keep them available for local youth soccer.
Negotiations with the FAA
Federal Aviation Administration officials have signaled that lease payments will commence shortly, prompting city staff to draft a lease‑to‑own proposal. The arrangement would allow the city to gradually acquire the property while addressing the growing demand for soccer space on Amelia Island. City officials are waiting for the completion of airport design work before submitting the formal proposal to the agency.
The potential financial obligation arrives as the city balances competing priorities, from infrastructure upgrades to park improvements. Amelia Island Youth Soccer, which serves a large segment of the community, has reported record participation and a clear need for additional field capacity. Scott Lomond, president of the organization, has repeatedly urged local leaders to secure a long‑term solution that preserves the fields for future generations.
Community input and funding considerations
Genece Minshew, Sarah Campbell and Nathan Coyle, key figures in municipal planning and local sports administration, have been part of the ongoing discussions that also involve Passero Associates, a consulting firm handling the airport redesign. Nassau County has pledged $1 million toward the eventual purchase of the Ybor Alvarez property, but developing new fields and supporting infrastructure could still cost several million dollars.
If the lease‑to‑own plan proceeds, the city would need to secure additional funding sources while continuing to work with the FAA on a mutually acceptable agreement. The outcome will likely shape not only the future of youth soccer on Amelia Island but also how municipal assets are leveraged for community growth.