City of Venice to buy auto dealership site for nearly $12M

The Venice City Council has voted unanimously to buy 4.7 acres that had housed a car dealership for $11.8 million. The property at 1280 U.S. 41 Bypass South is owned by Douglas Jeep. 

On top of the purchase price, the city plans to spend about $1 million in updates at the site, where it will relocate its solid waste, recycling and fleet maintenance operations.

“We believe this is a monumental find,” Assistant City Manager James Clinch said at the June 10 meeting where the council authorized the purchase.