Plans to redevelop the long-closed Toytown landfill in Pinellas County are gaining momentum, thanks to a $15 million state grant that will kickstart long-awaited environmental cleanup efforts.

The site, located just off I-275 and Roosevelt Boulevard, has sat unused since its closure by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 1990. After three years of delays, county officials say the new funding brings them significantly closer to realizing a bold vision: converting the 235-acre property into a premier youth sports complex.

Over the years, multiple redevelopment proposals have fizzled, including a failed attempt to bring an MLB spring training facility for the Atlanta Braves. But in 2022, the Florida Legislature earmarked funds for the site’s remediation, laying the groundwork for this latest push.

In February, Clearwater-based Sports Facilities Companies submitted an ambitious development plan featuring:

• 20 turf baseball and softball fields
• 17 multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse, and football
• 12 sand volleyball courts
• 24 pickleball courts
• Dedicated festival and fairground areas
• Parking for more than 2,100 vehicles

The total cost of the project is estimated between $150 million and $200 million. Supporters say the investment would pay off quickly, projecting more than $350 million in direct economic impact within the first five years of operation.

“There’s a strong demand for this type of facility in Pinellas County, the greater Tampa Bay region, and across the Southeast,” said Brian Lowack, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “We’ve already received some earlier state support for initial site preparations.”

Before construction can begin, Pinellas County commissioners must approve the terms of the redevelopment deal. Upcoming meetings will focus on how best to allocate the newly awarded $15 million toward the site’s environmental remediation.

If approved, the long-dormant Toytown landfill could soon become a vibrant hub for youth athletics and community events across the region.

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(Image credit: Sports Facilities Companies)

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