VERO BEACH — The County has finally landed on an offer the Vero Beach City Council couldn’t refuse. The Council approved a deal to sell the former Dodgertown Golf Course to Indian River County.
Different from previous offers were the proposed purchase price and a provision to allow the City the first right of refusal in the event the County ever decided to offload the 35-plus acres on the southeast corner of 26th Street and 43rd Avenue.
The County has been eyeing the property, trying to acquire it from the City so the County could offer the land for overflow parking at Historic Dodgertown. The facility, now under Major League Baseball’s control, often plays host to large-scale events, prompting participants and spectators to park on the vacant land across the street.
The Vero Beach City Council voted 4-1 in favor of the County’s offer. Councilwoman Laura Moss dissented.
Among Vero officials’ major concerns, other than taking a financial hit on property that has cost the City more than $11 million with interest payments, was what might happen to the parcel if Major League Baseball pulls out of Vero down the road.
County Administrator Jason Brown told City Council members that MLB has committed to 25 years and that he expects them to honor that.
Councilman Val Zudans said he was very upset about Councilman Tony Young negotiating directly with the county administrator. Zudans said this move undermined City Manager Jim O’Connor. But in the end, Zudans voted for the transaction.
The County will pay the City $2.45 million – $50,000 more than its previous offer. The plans call for the County to use the property for passive recreation by installing walking paths, as well as in ways that support Historic Dodgertown.
Hotel development will be a use removed from the property, according to City records.
The County aims to close on the property by April 15 at the latest, according to the deal presented to the Vero Beach City Council.
Also Tuesday night, the council voted to pay off all the remaining $4.4 million debt on the Dodgertown property with a portion of the $42 residual revenue from the sale of the electric utility.
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