Sarasota County cancels $18.1 million boatyard purchase over title issues

Sarasota County commissioners voted 3-2 to cancel the purchase of an $18.1 million boatyard property on Stickney Point Road after title disputes and regulatory hurdles emerged, WUSF reported.

The county had initially approved the purchase in February, aiming to convert the 2-acre site into a public waterfront park to expand access to the bay. However, concerns arose over using funds earmarked for environmentally sensitive lands and neighborhood parks to pay more than double the $8.9 million price paid by the owner two years earlier.

Commissioners Teresa Mast, Ron Cutsinger, and Tom Knight voted against the deal, citing unclear title and potential significant costs to resolve issues. Commissioner Mark Smith and Joe Neunder opposed ending the contract, with Smith emphasizing the long-term benefits of public waterfront access.

The property, featuring New England-style buildings and 700 feet of bay frontage, had deteriorated due to storm damage and age. The pending sale had already forced local businesses like Siesta Key Watersports to relocate in anticipation of the deal, which will no longer proceed.