Sarasota County’s plan to purchase waterfront property near Siesta Key for $18.1 million — previously home to a once-popular restaurant and with plans to turn it into a public park and potentially a dining destination — has been put on hold.
The county commission agreed at its April 21 meeting to pause the purchase of the 2.04-acre parcel on Stickney Point Road to see if there is a way to save Siesta Key Watersports.
Commissioners had been set to discuss financing the purchase of the parcel at their May 5 meeting.
In February, the board voted to buy it for $18.1 million, with a plan to turn it into a public park and possibly resurrect the restaurant.
The site could also become a place where charter boat captains who do not have a permanent dock at a marina can meet customers.
The waterfront parcel on the Intracoastal Waterway southeast of the Stickney Point Road bridge to Siesta Key formerly housed the Boatyard waterfront restaurant. The property includes 700 feet of bay frontage, docks, boardwalks and decks, as well as 21 commercial condos.
Commissioners directed staff to determine whether it is possible for Siesta Key Watersports to remain in a location where they have operated for two decades.
Under the proposed purchase contract, Siesta Key Watersports must vacate its site at 1536 Stickney Point Road by May 14.
That would allow for a mid-June closing on the property sale.
Attorney John Patterson, speaking on behalf of Siesta Key Watersports, said there is plenty of room for the charter boat pickup and watersports company to coexist.
He suggested Sarasota County could amend the sales agreement and issue the business a revocable license to operate.
“There can be a win, I submit, for the county and public and small taxpayers,” Patterson said.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: $18.1M Sarasota waterfront restaurant site deal paused
Reporting by Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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