DEBARY -- The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, DeBary Downs. Not quite with the latter for Triple Crown thoroughbred racing, but still, a horse racing operation in DeBary is something an applicant is betting on.
DeBary Real Estate Holdings under the umbrella, Green Bridge Co., received a permit from the state of Florida in September to build a quarter-horse race track at U.S. 17-92 and Dirksen Drive.
The site is zoned for commercial and residential as well as provisions for a town center, but the applicant needs to have the city rezone the 87-acre site for use as a horse-racing facility. Such a request is pending.
Proponents of DeBary Downs say it could generate more than $600,000 in city taxes and provide 100 jobs. Opponents say the facility doesn't fit the character of a sleepy town.