Novalex
06-05-2004, 11:21 AM
Allapattah Flats deal falls through
The state removed the land from its acquisition list after negotiations with the owners stalled
By Suzanne Wentley staff writer
June 5, 2004
PALM CITY — More than 23,000 acres surrounding the Allapattah Ranch preserve was removed from a state land-acquisition list Friday after negotiations with the owners stalled.
The Allapattah Flats property, which had been on the Florida Forever land list since 1997, will no longer be eligible for $23 million in state funding — half of the estimated value of the remaining privately owned property.
"There were no more willing sellers there," said Kathalyn Gaither, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. "When that happens, the project is normally removed from the list. That's not to say it could never be put back on the list."
State water managers, with financial help from Martin County, bought the nearly 13,000-acre Allapattah Ranch, on the corner of County Road 714 and State Road 609, in 2002.
But state planners had hoped to add to that land with property known as the Bessemer tract, Stuart 2000 tract and the Bar-B Ranch.
The project would have added habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities such as hiking trails and hunting.
Water managers also wanted the land to restore wetlands that filter rain water before it flows into the nearby C-23 canal. The Allapattah Ranch is part of local Everglades restoration efforts.
"We're trying to go on and get the (local Everglades) project blessed and funded so we can get more land," said Kim Love, Martin County's water resource manager. "We've already purchased 40 percent of the project lands. There's more to be done."
Part of the land near the Allapattah Ranch is for sale as residential property marketed by SLC Commercial, Love said, although the state was unable to confirm whether that particular land was on the acquisition list.
The remaining private property is cattle ranches and citrus groves.
The state removed the land from its acquisition list after negotiations with the owners stalled
By Suzanne Wentley staff writer
June 5, 2004
PALM CITY — More than 23,000 acres surrounding the Allapattah Ranch preserve was removed from a state land-acquisition list Friday after negotiations with the owners stalled.
The Allapattah Flats property, which had been on the Florida Forever land list since 1997, will no longer be eligible for $23 million in state funding — half of the estimated value of the remaining privately owned property.
"There were no more willing sellers there," said Kathalyn Gaither, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. "When that happens, the project is normally removed from the list. That's not to say it could never be put back on the list."
State water managers, with financial help from Martin County, bought the nearly 13,000-acre Allapattah Ranch, on the corner of County Road 714 and State Road 609, in 2002.
But state planners had hoped to add to that land with property known as the Bessemer tract, Stuart 2000 tract and the Bar-B Ranch.
The project would have added habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities such as hiking trails and hunting.
Water managers also wanted the land to restore wetlands that filter rain water before it flows into the nearby C-23 canal. The Allapattah Ranch is part of local Everglades restoration efforts.
"We're trying to go on and get the (local Everglades) project blessed and funded so we can get more land," said Kim Love, Martin County's water resource manager. "We've already purchased 40 percent of the project lands. There's more to be done."
Part of the land near the Allapattah Ranch is for sale as residential property marketed by SLC Commercial, Love said, although the state was unable to confirm whether that particular land was on the acquisition list.
The remaining private property is cattle ranches and citrus groves.