Golf Course Update – 8/10/23

Dear Neighbors and Friends,
We have reached another milestone in our effort to have the County purchase the 49 acre former golf course. Many citizens and environmental organizations shared their concerns in emails previously, now our focus is to obtain funding approval as soon as possible to prevent the loss of this unique land forever. We are expanding our outreach efforts to all communities in the Little Sarasota Bay Watershed. 

                                                                                                                                                 

Funding this Project Now is Crucial
Commissioner Joe Neunder is on board with the effort to obtain funding which would allow the County to negotiate with the current owner.  The motion must be approved by 3 Commissioners to move forward.  Two sources of funding are being considered. The first is through the Stormwater Environmental Utility (SEU), which is responsible for “reducing the threat of flooding by ensuring that the stormwater drainage system is properly operated and maintained” and “improving water quality.”  The stormwater infrastructure for citizens in the Little Sarasota Bay Watershed is ineffective and deficient.  We pay the SEU assessment tax annually and expect flood protection upgrades which include the 49 acre land acquisition.
Another funding source is RESILIENT SRQ, a federal grant program to strengthen communities against hurricanes. The County requested a $5M grant for acquisition of the 49 acres as Phase I of a plan to build a stormwater management area.             

Your Support is Needed Now More Than Ever
Please voice your support by emailing both the Commissioners and the Resilient SRQ committee. A brief statement is all that’s needed.

1. EMAIL THE COMMISSIONERS: Request that they approve Stormwater Environmental Utility (SEU) funding for the purchase of the 49 acres.  Must include your name and address. commissioners@scgov.net

2. EMAIL THE RESILIENT SRQ GRANT PROGRAM: Request approval of the Matheny Creek and Elligraw Bayou Stormwater Management System and Water Quality Resilience Project Grant.  Name and address.  ResilientSRQComments@scgov.net

Please Act Now and Tell a Friend.  We Can Do This! The Gulf Gate Golf Course Committee

Example comments to Commissioners or Resilient Committee follow.

OPTION 1

Dear Commissioners,

  • Please consider approving SEU Funding to purchase the 49 acre former golf course.
  • Greenspace is necessary for flood protection, filtering stormwater, and wildlife for all our citizens and future generations.

Thank you for considering this important issue which will benefit our community and our Bay.


Name
Address


OPTION 2

Dear Commissioners,

  • We hope you will fund the purchase of the former Gulf Gate Golf Course proposed by the Sarasota County Stormwater Environmental Utility.  
  • We support the County’s plan to create a mini celery field that will offer flood protection to residents living within Matheny Creek and Elligraw Bayou Drainage Basins and clean the stormwater to decrease red tide bloom.
  • Preserving the 49 acre property can benefit all those who love Sarasota and value the waters of the Bay.
  • Please approve the SEU funding. 

Thank you for all your do for the citizens of Sarasota County.


Name
Address

RESILIENT SRQ Comment examples

OPTION 1

The grant for County acquisition of the 49 acre former golf course for the Matheny Creek and Elligraw Bayou Stormwater Management System and Water Quality Resilience Project, Phase 1, will allow residents to finally look forward to a modern stormwater management system.  Our communities’ unmet needs can begin to be mitigated by this purchase.  Flood prevention and water quality are integrally connected.  Preserving this land will benefit all our citizens by creating more resilient neighborhoods. Please approve this grant.  Thank you.

OPTION 2

Please approve the County grant request for Phase 1 of the Matheny Creek and Elligraw Bayou Stormwater Management System and Water Quality Resilience Project.  This will provide needed flood
protection for an area of 1900 acres representing 7600 living units. It will promote a more resilient community and filter stormwater before it flows into Little Sarasota Bay.  Acquisition of this land will be of benefit to citizens now and future generations.  Flood prevention is an economic win for Sarasota County.  Thank you for your consideration of this important proposal.

       

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