Both contenders for Joe Neunder’s seat endorse a purchase of the arsenic-laden, flood-prone land.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: September 10 2026
Host: Sarasota County’s possible purchase of a golf course has drawn the attention of the two contenders to replace Joe Neunder on the county commission.
Ramon Lopez: As reported Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission held a public hearing regarding its potential acquisition of the Gulf Gate Golf Course property.
Gulf Gate community homeowners urged the commissioners to acquire the abandoned 49-acre golf course and convert it into a regional stormwater management project and a nature preserve. A Miami-based developer would build 106 houses there if the county fails to acquire the rare chunk of open land.
County staffers have considered the benefits of such a controversial purchase, analyzing both financial and environmental issues. They include soil contamination from arsenic that will require remediation.
Another issue is a fair market price. The county appraisal is much lower than the owner’s asking price. And the county also needs to resolve where it would get the cash to purchase the property.
Current views of the former golf course.
The commissioners say the county cannot overpay for the land. And they directed staff to continue haggling with the owner over the value discrepancy and bring the matter back to the board for continued discussion.
The impasse gained the attention of the two candidates hoping to replace Republican Commissioner Joe Neunder, who lost his re-election bid to political newcomer Jim DeNiro. Both the retired cop and Democrat candidate Julie London weighed in on the matter as they seek voters in the Nov. 3 general election.
London held a meeting at Gulf Gate Library last Saturday. She asked attendees to come up with a unified position and put pressure on the commissioners.
She said sticking within your mental bandwidth or staying in your own lane is almost an impossibility these days.
Plan detailing the transformation of the Gulf Gate golf course into a development with 100 single-family homes.
Julie London: “Over in the next town, the powers-that-be might be thinking about putting in an AI data center that will affect citizens’ quality of lives. Or a developer might be planning a housing development in your own backyard. You’re forced to tell the kids that they’re on their own for dinner as you rush off to a meeting because decisions by the lawmakers you elected will affect you, your neighbors and your families directly. Such is the case with the Gulf Gate Golf Course.”
RL: DeNiro issued a written statement. It said Gulf Gate is at a critical crossroads, with flood resilience hanging in the balance. He said it would be disastrous for either party to walk away from the price negotiations. He does not favor construction of 106 houses on flood-prone land.
He said arsenic remediation is required even if it requires significant capital investment. DeNiro said both sides must stay at the negotiating table. The appraisal gap needs to be bridged, and common ground on fair market value must be found.
DeNiro said, “Get this deal done.”
Jon Thaxton is a member of the Sarasota Planning Commission and a former county commissioner. He also wants to see a fair deal.
Jon Thaxton: I appreciate that the board understands that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. There are no properties west of Beneva Road this close to the discharge in Sarasota Bay that will have this great of an impact on water quality and flooding in our region. I look forward to working with you and making this transaction come about and will not support an acquisition above appraised value. It is your duty and obligation to make sure that we do not overspend on the property.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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