Regional sports complex proposed for Fort Pierce

By ALEXI HOWK
FORT PIERCE — His clients have included the NFL, PGA Tour and NASCAR.

According to several Web sites, Rick Horrow, CEO of Jupiter-based Horrow Sports Ventures, is considered the leading expert in the business of sports. He's done 103 deals worth more than $13 billion in sports and urban infrastructure projects, including the American Airlines Arena for the Miami Heat.

Now he has his sights set on Fort Pierce.

Horrow is proposing to build a regional sports and entertainment complex within the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency boundaries.

City Manager Dennis Beach presented the plan Wednesday to city commissioners, acting as the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency. The proposal would include an 8,000- to 10,000-seat indoor arena for an Arena Football 2 league, a regional convention center, an ice rink and training facilities, space for major concerts and other major sports and entertainment events.
But not so fast, Beach said.

"The size of it and cost takes it out of our comfort range to proceed," Beach said, suggesting the city pass the project on to the county.

Beach estimates the cost of the project at a minimum $80 million, and Horrow is asking for $20,000 a month in fees as the complex's strategic development adviser.

The project came about after Kurt Holden, founder and co-owner of Fort Pierce Fire, a 2-year-old football minor league, read Horrow's book, "When the Game is on the Line," an insider's guide to the people, politics and power plays behind mega-sports deals.

Holden's team currently plays at Lawnwood Stadium. He said his goal was to turn the team into an Arena Football 2 league, offshoot of the Arena Football League.

"This guy is very reputable and has done it," Holden said. "He has very strong credentials. He knows how to take private enterprise and partner it with the public sector. Not only is this an attracting facility, it will create jobs and change the face of Fort Pierce."

During discussions with Horrow, Holden brought in business partner Larry Lee, owner of WIRA 1400 AM and a State Farm Insurance agency, who briefly played for the Denver Broncos.
Lee said building a project of this size in the city's redevelopment boundaries would help eliminate major blight and spur economic redevelopment.

"We're growing and we're the ideal place for this to happen," Lee said. "This would be a major impact not just to St. Lucie County but to the Treasure Coast because there is nothing like this."
Lee said about 20 acres are needed for the project and so far three sites have been identified. Lee declined to disclose the locations.

While several commissioners expressed excitement over the project, more details are needed to decide whether a project of this size is feasible. Commissioners decided to seek more details on the project and discuss it again at its July 24-25 annual workshop.

"This is actually quite exciting that we have the potential for this kind of thing," Commissioner Eddie Becht said. "We have a lot of assets for this if we could help steer this in the city."

Becht said a feasibility study would be needed to determine whether the county could support the complex.

Commissioner Christine Coke cautioned the commissioners that the Treasure Coast Sports Commission is already actively pursuing a similar project in Port St. Lucie and had concerns the city would be duplicating efforts.

"There's no way I'd think this area could support two of these venues," she said.
Coke said she would talk with the Treasure Coast Sports Commission to find out more details and present the information during next month's workshop.

Meanwhile, Lee and Holden said they're optimistic about the project, saying Fort Pierce is more suitable for a site for a sports and entertainment complex because of tax incentives in its redevelopment district and its access to the waterfront.

"It's really going to depend on the (Treasure Coast Sports Commission)," Lee said. "I hope we don't get into a battle of 'I want it in my front yard.' If we all come together we can make it happen. If we can get the cities and county to talk."

THE PLAN
Rick Horrow, CEO of Horrow Sports Ventures in Jupiter is proposing to build a regional sports and entertainment complex within the redevelopment district of Fort Pierce.
• An 8,000- to 10,000-seat indoor arena for an Arena Football 2 league.
• Space for major concerts and special entertainment events.
• Space for regional conventions and meetings.
• Ice facilities similar to Florida Panthers' "Incredible Ice" skating and training facilities.
• Other major sports events.
• Estimated minimum cost of $80 million.