Sarasota County to Purchase $18.1M Waterfront Site

Plans call for new public park and potential waterfront dining destination

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Sarasota County is set to purchase a 2.04-acre waterfront property near Siesta Key for $18.1 million. The site, formerly home to a popular restaurant called 'The Boatyard,' will be transformed into a new public park with the possibility of a new waterfront dining destination.

Why it matters

This purchase represents Sarasota County's efforts to enhance public access to the waterfront and provide more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The redevelopment of the site could also bring new economic activity to the area through a potential new dining establishment.

The details

The $18.1 million property purchase will allow Sarasota County to create a new public park on the waterfront site that was previously occupied by the popular 'The Boatyard' restaurant. The county is considering including a new waterfront dining destination as part of the redevelopment plans, in addition to the public park space.

  • Sarasota County is currently in the process of finalizing the $18.1 million purchase of the 2.04-acre waterfront property.
  • The county plans to begin redevelopment of the site into a new public park in the next 12-18 months.

The players

Sarasota County

The local government entity that is purchasing the waterfront property and overseeing its redevelopment into a new public park and potential dining destination.

The Boatyard

The former restaurant that previously occupied the 2.04-acre waterfront site that Sarasota County is now purchasing.

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What’s next

Once the property purchase is finalized, Sarasota County will begin the process of designing and constructing the new public park. The county will also explore options for incorporating a new waterfront dining establishment as part of the redevelopment.

The takeaway

This waterfront property acquisition demonstrates Sarasota County's commitment to expanding public access to the area's natural assets and creating new recreational and economic opportunities for the community.