$10 million Cortez property could become luxury RV park

CORTEZ -- Two partners have purchased what may be the last large piece of developable land in the village of Cortez, saying it may be the perfect place for a luxury motor home park and for travelers who love the water.

Florida Land Enterprises, a Bradenton partnership between Bradenton resident Eric Grimes and Sarasota home builder Marshall Gobuty, paid a Swedish company $10 million this week for just over 17.8 acres.

Grimes has been eyeing the land at 12504 Cortez Road W. for some time. He and Gobuty met with Manatee County planning officials this week to discuss development options for the property.

This is the second significant development proposed for Cortez in the past eight months. Last October, Manatee Fruit Farm President Whiting Preston filed plans with the county to build 1,800 homes on 539 acres his family owns in Cortez. Named Peninsula Bay, the subdivision is planned to be built over the course of 12 years, according to Preston's plan.

In their conversation with the county this week, the Florida Land Enterprises partners floated the motor home park idea. There are already two RV parks in Cortez, including the Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort next door. But Grimes and Gobuty said their property is unusual in that it has boat canals and dock access on three sides and a connection to the Intracoastal Waterway. The canals and a small, scantly used marina were part of the purchase.

Grimes, who has previously invested in smaller real estate ventures, said the plan is preliminary and that he and Gobuty are weighing multiple options. The land is already entitled for the construction of about 40 homes.

But a motor home resort may have some traction.

"The county loves the idea," Grimes said.

Grimes said he feels fortunate to have been able to purchase the land. The former owner, Hunters Hill Inc., had been approached by several other parties before selling to the partnership. Owned by a Swedish family, Hunters Hill paid for the land in seven separate transactions over four years for a total of $4.6 million, according to county records.

Grimes, whose family has lived and fished in Cortez for several generations, said one priority he and Gobuty have is developing the land with the approval of local residents.

"When we do put all our pieces together, it will complement Cortez," he said. "It's very important to Marshall and me that we have the support of the people."

Karen Bell, owner of Cortez fixture Star Fish Co. Market & Restaurant, is one of several longtime village business owners and residents Grimes talked to before purchasing the acreage. She said an RV park would be "a great idea" that will fit with the existing character of the village. She said she would be less interested in seeing high-density housing, such as condominiums.

Bell said she knows Grimes will keep villagers informed about the project and will consider their opinions.

"He's related to half the people in the village," she said.

The partners will also have to consider traffic congestion. Cortez's bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway is a primary route to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Gobuty said the property is located within walking distance of Cortez's historic village and bicycling distance to the island. But he also acknowledges that whatever he and Grimes build will add to high traffic volumes that already turn into gridlock during the winter visitor and tourist season.

"The traffic is a big consideration, not only for the community but also for the people who are going to live here," Gobuty said.

At present, the H H Marina leases space on the property. It offers boat and RV storage, as well as wet slips. The property features a ramp that allows boaters access to the canal system.

Grimes and Gobuty said they will not have a schedule to develop the property until after they decide exactly what they want to do with it.

Matt M. Johnson, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7027 or on Twitter@MattAtBradenton.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "$10 million Cortez property could become luxury RV park ."