15-plus acres off US 41 in north Manatee sold for $3.5 million

A 15.53-acre property off US 41 in Palmetto recently sold for $3.5 million, according to SVN Commercial Advisory Group, which brokered the deal. The land will be turned into a storage facility for both RVs and boats, the agency reports.

John Gittler, who has an address listed in Prescott, Arizona, sold 10308 US 41 and 10110 US 41, according to Manatee County property records. The buyer was Skyway Communities LLC, SVN Commercial Advisory Group says.

Skyway Communities LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to its website, which says it is an investment firm focused on opportunities in the RV and campground industries that generate long-term cash flow and high-level protected returns for investors.

“We’re thrilled to have facilitated this deal, which not only meets the needs of the buyer but also brings a much-needed service to the area,” Mike Migone, a senior advisor with SVN Commercial Advisory Group who represented both buyer and seller in the transaction, says in a statement.

The RV and recreational boating industries are growing, and with them the need for storage. About 11.2 million people nationwide own an RV, which represents about a 62% increase over the past 20 years, according to the RV Industry Association. RV shipments were up 6.5% in November compared with the same month in 2023, the association reports. The top states for receiving RV shipments are Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Michigan. The average owner expects to use an RV for about 20 days each year.

Meanwhile, Florida has more registered boats than any other state in the U.S., with more than 1 million registered recreational vessels, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The recreational boating industry also generates an annual economic impact of $31.3 billion for Florida, up 53% compared with 2018, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reports.

Located near Interstate 75, Interstate 275 and Tampa Bay, the Palmetto property off US 41 was an “ideal choice for the buyer’s intended use,” according to SVN Commercial Advisory Group.

“The site’s prime location and the planned development will benefit the local community and travelers alike, adding convenience, new amenities and jobs,” Migone says in the statement.

The new boat and RV storage facility is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter.