Sarasota County Candidates Back Gulf Gate Golf Course Buy

Sarasota County Commission candidates Julie London and Jim DeNiro support the county’s potential acquisition of the abandoned Gulf Gate Golf Course property, highlighting the need to resolve negotiations with the owner.

The county is considering purchasing the 49-acre site, located west of Beneva Road near Sarasota Bay. Gulf Gate residents want the county to buy the land for a regional stormwater management project and nature preserve. Without county intervention, a Miami-based developer plans to build 106 houses on the site.

County staff analyzed the financial and environmental aspects of the potential purchase. The property has known soil contamination from arsenic requiring remediation. A significant obstacle remains the gap between the county's appraisal and the owner's asking price. The county also needs to identify funding sources for the acquisition.

Both candidates, running to replace Commissioner Joe Neunder, have commented on the critical negotiations. The general election is Nov. 3.

Democratic candidate Julie London held a meeting Saturday at the Gulf Gate Library. She urged attendees to form a unified stance to pressure commissioners. “The decisions by the lawmakers you elected will affect you, your neighbors and your families directly,” London said. “Such is the case with the Gulf Gate Golf Course.”

Republican candidate Jim DeNiro issued a written statement calling the situation a “critical crossroads” with flood resilience at stake. He believes neither party should abandon price negotiations. DeNiro opposes building 106 houses on flood-prone land. He acknowledged that arsenic remediation is necessary, despite the capital investment. He urged both sides to remain at the negotiating table to bridge the appraisal gap and find common ground on fair market value. “Get this deal done,” DeNiro concluded.

Jon Thaxton, a Sarasota Planning Commission member and former county commissioner, also wants a fair deal. He described the property as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” with significant potential to impact water quality and flooding in Sarasota Bay. “I look forward to working with you and making this transaction come about and will not support an acquisition above appraised value,” Thaxton said. “It is your duty and obligation to make sure that we do not overspend on the property.”

The Sarasota County Commission directed staff to continue negotiations with the owner on the value discrepancy and to bring the matter back for further discussion.