By Pat Hatfield
posted Aug 14, 2008 - 8:54:49am
DeBary Vice Mayor Chris Carson has had a few months to think about a combination quarter-horse racetrack and poker room opening in DeBary. Carson, who's on his way out of office, doesn't mind if people know: He likes the idea.
Greenbridge Co. has proposed such a gambling facility, called DeBary Downs, and is currently in negotiations with the City of DeBary and state regulators.
Carson's maximum two terms in office end Dec. 31. He may not have the chance to vote on the required rezoning.
The land at the corner of Dirksen Drive and South U.S. Highway 17-92, where Greenbridge wants to build DeBary Downs, could be the setting for fairs and community events, drawing visitors from all over Volusia and Seminole counties, Carson said. Tourists would come up from the Orlando area, benefitting DeBary stores and restaurants, he added.
During a May 7 presentation, Ty Harris, the developer's attorney, told City Council members the grounds of DeBary Downs could be used for such events.
Greenbridge is talking of putting in a restaurant of its own, as well as a deluxe card room and perhaps a hotel.
Carson doesn't expect DeBary Downs to run a lot of horse races. He expects the poker room to be the focal point of the complex. While he doesn't play poker himself, Carson said, he has no objection to it. He doesn't believe the gambling operation will draw crime to Debary.
The complex would easily provide the City of DeBary with at least $400,000 a year in property taxes, Carson said. This, along with the business it would draw, will bring a new vitality to DeBary and enhance the town's commercial stretch, he said.
Carson figures if the City of Winter Springs can do it, so can DeBary. In his job as a facilities manager and special-events planner for Winter Springs, Carson has learned the power of events to draw business.
"It's really big over there," he said, drawing people from all of Seminole County and surrounding areas into little Winter Springs, population 31,000.
Winter Springs doesn't have a gambling facility. Carson believes DeBary, with a population under 17,000, could go even further.
"DeBary's going to contend with Winter Park and Mount Dora. And with less ad valorem taxes," he said.
DeBary officials take pride in the town's low property-tax rate.
Carson thinks DeBary Downs will make DeBary a magnet for day trips. Winter Park and Mount Dora draw heavily Central Floridians seeking entertainment within a day of home.
"Why should people go to Sanford, and not vice versa?" Carson asked, citing Volusia County residents who shop and dine in Sanford's historic district or go to bet on jai alai in Seminole County.
Alternate plans for the property at Dirksen and Highway 17-92 didn't pan out. The proposed Town Center was "a little scary," Carson said. Big chains backed out of putting in restaurants and a grocery store, he said.
"It will be developed some day," Carson said. He figures that development may as well be something that will set DeBary apart.
Meanwhile, Greenbridge spokeswoman Alison North Jones said the company is still going through the application process with the state, and won't put together formal plans to present to DeBary until that process is complete.
She hinted Greenbridge may have some interesting news soon.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Deputy Press Secretary Sam Farkas confirmed the application for DeBary Downs is still in the works and not yet approved.
DeBary City Manager Maryann Courson said she didn't expect the developers to bring plans to City Council until after the November election. Otherwise, they would have to cover the same ground with any new City Council members.
DeBary elects City Council members in November, but they don't take office until the following January.
Candidates Mark Meister and Van Conoley are competing for Carson's seat. Bob Garcia is running against incumbent Mayor George Coleman. City Council Member Jack Lenzen faces no opposition, so was automatically re-elected.
None of Carson's fellow City Council members have expressed enthusiasm for the DeBary Downs.
The proposed gambling facility faces vocal opposition from varied groups, including local churches and an East Volusia competitor, the Daytona Beach Kennel Club, which has been discussing a possible deal with Spring Garden Ranch in DeLeon Springs for a quarter-horse track and poker room in that community.
Reader Comments
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Thank you,
Susan Cross
Has Mr. Carson conducted a study of the amount of crime around the areas that currently offer such activities? From the mid to late 1980s my husband & father worked security for the Sanford Orlando & Sarasota Kennel Clubs. Guards, with guns,patrolled the Kennel Club watching for pick pockets, prostitutes and drunk & disorderly people. Guards, with guns, patrolled the parking lots so that winners were not mugged on the way to their cars. Almost every night the Seminole County Sheriff's department had to be called in. Anywhere you have people winning money, no matter what the amount, you will have crime. Every day the news brings a new story of robberies. Even the new Walgreens in DeBary has already been robbed. How many of our convenience stores & banks have been robbed? To think that crime will not follow the money is just naive. Is this really what DeBary needs? Can we not find another way to "set DeBary apart"?
It's no wonder. Debary is a wonderful place. Why change it? I don't want all the madness he is suggesting. I don't want Debary to compete with any other place for "new vitality".
I'm so tired of politicians treating their towns like some computer game simulation. Just make sure the teachers, cops, and firefighters get paid; leave everything else alone.
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