I am pleased to announce, with significant pride and great pleasure, that on Monday, July 31st, 2006 Kitson & Partners completed its purchase of Babcock Ranch from the Babcock Family, and within hours closed with the State of Florida and Lee County on the largest single land preservation agreement in the State’s history. The closing on the sale of approximately 73,000 acres of Babcock Ranch for permanent preservation was the result of unprecedented collaboration between private business, environmental organizations, community leaders and public servants. Together, we have achieved what many believed simply could not be done.
The Shared Vision Is Realized - State of FloridaTakes Ownership of 74,000 Acres of Babcock Ranch!
I am pleased to announce, with significant pride and great pleasure, that on Monday, July 31st, 2006 Kitson & Partners completed its purchase of Babcock Ranch from the Babcock Family, and within hours closed with the State of Florida and Lee County on the largest single land preservation agreement in the State’s history. The closing on the sale of approximately 73,000 acres of Babcock Ranch for permanent preservation was the result of unprecedented collaboration between private business, environmental organizations, community leaders and public servants. Together, we have achieved what many believed simply could not be done.
I want to take this opportunity to express the incredible debt of gratitude we all owe to Audubon of Florida, 1000 Friends of Florida, The Everglades Foundation, the Everglades Trust and the Florida Wildlife Federation for their tireless work over the past year to help secure the vision of preserving over 80% of Babcock Ranch. It takes courage for environmentalists to even talk with a developer. They heard us out, considered the merits, and embraced the vision. We could not have succeeded without their guidance and courageous support.
I also want to thank Governor Bush, the Florida Cabinet, Secretary Castille, Division of State Lands Director Eva Armstrong, many of the Lee and Charlotte County Commissioners, and our local Legislators for their outstanding leadership. Their commitment to preserving Babcock Ranch never wavered.
Just as important as the preservation of 74,000 acres is, we are now able to continue moving forward with our plans to create an innovative, world class, environmentally sensitive new community at Babcock Ranch – a community we believe will be a shining example of environmentally responsible development in the 21st century. The shared vision for this new Babcock Ranch Community is the result of an unprecedented public planning process. I made a commitment to the people of Charlotte and Lee Counties that we would create an innovative, sustainable and inclusive community at Babcock Ranch and my partners and I now have the ability to fulfill on that promise. Our vision for a new community at Babcock Ranch has always been based on our belief that preservation and responsible growth can work hand in hand.
With our purchase of the Babcock Ranch now completed, I am proud to say that that vision is about to become a reality.