Government Digest 02/26/10

Lee approves huge land buy
LEE COUNTY — County commissioners approved the purchase of three parcels at its Feb. 23 meeting totaling 1,213 acres for $36.3 million, or roughly $30,200 per acre. Located in the city of Fort Myers, a portion of the property is along the north side of Buckingham Road and State Road 82. The sellers, Keystone Creek LLC, and C-Hack LLC, originally sought $65 million for the parcels. The county purchased the properties through an option agreement allowing the land to be acquired in four stages. The initial purchase is for 517 acres for $10.8 million. The remaining acreage may be purchased as funds are available from the county's Conservation 20/20 capital fund. Some of the land may be used for future road rights-of-way. To date, 22,684 acres have been purchased through the program.