St. Pete-Clearwater Sun

Sarasota County has finalized the purchase of roughly two acres of waterfront property at Stickney Point Road, displacing nearly all of the businesses that operated there and setting the stage for a potential public park and fishing pier.

County commissioners approved the acquisition for just under $21 million. The funding came through the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program, which is intended to acquire land for public access, recreation, and expansion of existing parks. County staff anticipates closing on the sale agreement in July.

No final redevelopment plan has been approved, but commissioners have discussed clearing some of the existing storefronts to create a fishing pier with park amenities. District Four Commissioner Dr. Joe Neunder indicated that the county is starting fresh, saying the metrics point to a clean slate.

All but one of the businesses in the Stickney Point boatyard village have already vacated. Jeff Schermerhorn, owner of Florida Fun Rides — a scooter rental and transportation service that had operated near Siesta Key for nearly a decade — said neither he nor his neighbors received any relocation assistance from the county. He has since moved to a new location but expressed concern that being away from the Siesta Key corridor will significantly reduce his customer base.

Siesta Key Watersports was the last business still operating on the property and was facing a departure deadline around May 14. Employee Evan Bryan said the business is working through where it will conduct charters and water tours in the interim, mentioning Philippi Creek as one possibility.

Both business owners said they plan to maintain a presence near Siesta Key despite the disruption.

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