The Florida Cabinet is scheduled to vote on a proposal for the state to purchase four acres of coastal land in Destin for $83.3 million. The property is owned by companies linked to a prominent political campaign donor, raising concerns among conservation groups about the high price and the decision to prioritize this parcel over other environmental projects.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's Cabinet will vote on an $83.3 million purchase of four acres of land in Destin.
- The sellers, who bought the land for approximately $8 million, are companies registered to political donor Robert Guidry.
- The purchase was fast-tracked by lawmakers, bypassing the state's established Florida Forever conservation priority list.
- Conservation experts question the land's ecological value and the price, which amounts to over $20 million per acre.
Details of the Destin Land Proposal
The state of Florida is considering the acquisition of a four-acre parcel located on a sandy peninsula near Norriego Point in Destin. The proposed purchase price is $83.3 million, a figure supported by two state-approved appraisals. If approved, the land would be used to expand the adjacent city-owned Norriego Point Beach Access and Park, increasing its total size to nearly 16 acres.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the acquisition is intended to "expand public access" to the shoreline. Alexandra Kuchta, a spokesperson for the agency, stated that the expanded park would offer more opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, along with over 100 parking spaces.
Legislative Push for the Purchase
The proposal gained momentum during the final day of state budget negotiations in June. Language was added to the budget by Senate negotiators that mandated the Destin purchase be a top priority. This move effectively placed it ahead of long-planned conservation projects on the Florida Forever list, which is designed to protect critical habitats and wildlife corridors.
State Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Republican from Panama City whose district includes the property, confirmed he advocated for the budget addition. He argued that state ownership would prevent the land from being developed into condominiums and would instead provide beach access for hundreds of families.
Concerns Over Price and Process
Environmental advocates and land conservation experts have raised significant objections to the deal. A central point of contention is the price, which calculates to more than $20 million per acre. Clay Henderson, an environmental lawyer and author on Florida land conservation, noted the unusually high cost.
"I’m at a loss to recall another property purchased for $20 million per acre," Henderson stated. "The Legislature and (the Florida Department of Environmental Protection) have moved this 4-acre site to the front of the line to the detriment of every other important conservation site in Florida endangered by development."
The property is not on the state’s Florida Forever priority list, a scientifically vetted ranking of lands crucial for conservation. Julie Wraithmell, executive director of Audubon Florida, criticized the lack of transparency in the process.
"It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and a great example of why state land-buying should be governed by transparent, accountable processes like the Florida Forever Program, that taxpayers and land owners can both have confidence in," Wraithmell said.
A Significant Return on Investment
The sellers are two companies, Pointe Mezzanine LLC and Pointe Resort LLC. Records from the DEP show these entities purchased the land in 2016 and 2017 for a combined total of nearly $8 million. An $83.3 million sale price would represent a more than tenfold return on their initial investment in less than a decade.
Experts also question the ecological benefit of purchasing land in a heavily developed and erosion-prone coastal area, arguing that the funds could be better used to protect larger, more critical habitats elsewhere in the state, such as land for the endangered Florida panther.
The Seller and Political Contributions
State corporate filings link both selling LLCs to Robert Guidry, a Louisiana-based real estate investor and energy magnate. Guidry and his affiliated companies have been active political donors in Florida. Campaign finance records show over $400,000 in contributions in recent years to state-level political committees, including those supporting Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, who are scheduled to vote on the purchase.
Donations to Local Officials
Guidry has also become a major donor in Okaloosa County, where the property is located. Since last summer, he and his businesses have contributed over $35,000 to local candidates for county commission, sheriff, and the school board. These amounts are significant for local races, placing Guidry among the top donors for the candidates he supported.
In August, Okaloosa County Commission Chairperson Paul Mixon sent a letter to the DEP praising the state's effort to acquire the land. Campaign finance records indicate Mixon's campaign received eight separate $1,000 checks from Guidry or his companies. Mixon stated he sent the letter on behalf of the entire commission.
Seller's Legal History
Robert Guidry was previously involved in a bribery scandal in the early 1990s concerning former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. According to court records from that time, Guidry testified that he made payments to officials to secure a riverboat gambling license. Edwards was later convicted and served prison time.
State Officials Respond
The office of Governor DeSantis did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. A spokesperson for Attorney General Uthmeier defended the proposed purchase, highlighting the land's local importance.
"Attorney General Uthmeier grew up in Destin, and he knows that conserving this land and ensuring it remains undeveloped will be a significant victory for the community, increasing public access and protecting a sanctuary for wildlife, fishermen, and those who enjoy Florida’s coastal heritage," spokesperson Jeremy Redfern wrote in a statement.
The upcoming Cabinet vote will determine the fate of the $83.3 million expenditure. The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of Florida's land management practices following recent controversies, including a proposal to develop parts of state parks and several high-level personnel changes within the Department of Environmental Protection.
