- May 5, 2026
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Sarasota County is moving forward with plans to acquire 2.04 acres on Stickney Point Road for a waterfront park project.
County commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner Tom Knight in opposition, to proceed with the purchase and authorize $20.77 million in financing during its meeting Tuesday. The loan will cover the purchase price, closing costs, part of the debt service and some of the startup costs. Closing on the property is projected to take place in July.
The approval came weeks after commissioners postponed the decision about financing at their April 21 meeting, citing the need for more information about plans for the project.
At 1500 Stickney Point Road near the south bridge to Siesta Key, the property consists of 21 parcels containing colorful commercial condominiums.
The $18.1 million purchase price was negotiated with seller Big Main Street LLC (which is registered to Sarasota property investor and restaurant owner Chris Brown), following two appraisals, one for $14 million and another for $18.1 million.
“Acquisition of the property would provide opportunities to further enhance public water access,” interim Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Shawn Yeager said at the Tuesday commission meeting. In 2024, he noted, commissioners directed parks staff to evaluate waterfront properties the county could purchase.
If acquired, the site could provide open space as well as water access. Potential improvements could include picnic areas, shade structures, restrooms, canoe and kayak launches, 30 to 40 boat slips, fishing access and room for mobile vendors, Yeager said.
“The buildings have been and are being evaluated for operational functionality,” Yeager said. “If they have no appropriate function or use, some or all may be demolished.”
Presenting a preliminary concept plan for the project, Yeager said the “iconic lighthouse” and potentially an operation support building next to it could remain on the site.
What would not be part of the plans are a full-scale restaurant, playground or motorized boat ramp, Yeager said.
Commissioners highlighted the water, the need for fair treatment and the county’s charter boat program as factors in their decisions to approve the acquisition.
“Water is our golden ticket here in Sarasota County,” Commission Chair Ron Cutsinger said.
On one hand, Cutsinger said, the $18.1 million purchase price for the property seemed steep. However, he said evaluating the site required a longer-term vision.
“This is one of those things that I think you buy looking out 10 or 15 or 20 years, because,” Cutsinger said, “when you look at the generational impact something like this has, that for me is part of the purchase price.”
While commissioners in April were hesitant to displace Siesta Key Watersports, which has been a tenant at the Stickney Point property known as the Boatyard for 20 years, they changed course at the May 5 meeting.
Commissioner Teresa Mast said the county had to be “fair and equitable to all.” She noted that when Sarasota County purchased the Camp Venice RV site adjacent to the county-owned Snook Haven Park for $14 million, it had to displace 13 tenants living there. And if it allowed one tenant to remain, the county would have to consider letting others stay as well.
In voicing his support for the project, Commissioner Mark Smith said the Stickney Point site was needed for charter boat operators with six or fewer passengers who could not afford to pay for slips, which he said could cost up to $100,000 a year.
To regulate charter boat activity at county parks, commissioners approved a pilot charter boat and tour operators permit program in January.
“This is the perfect location for that charter boat operation,” Smith said, adding that he didn’t “see any reason to continue discussions with Siesta Key Watersports, because they're not the target industry that we're looking for at parks."
On the other hand, the perception among captains who pay for boat slips “is we're spending $20 million … to appease a certain group of people,” Knight said.
“I just don’t think it’s an appropriate purchase for the price,” said Knight, who previously shared concerns over unknown operating costs. “I can’t support it.”
The $20.77 million loan will be repaid by the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program/Neighborhood Parkland Program ad valorem tax. Ongoing operating and maintenance costs will be funded by the Environmentally Sensitive Land fund and the general fund.
Due diligence on the property was completed April 26, according to Yeager. Closing is expected by July 10.
