Florida wants to buy 4 acres in the Panhandle. The price tag? $83M

[Zorro]

Florida is poised to spend $83.3 million to buy 4 acres in the Panhandle from a real estate investor and campaign donor, prompting concerns among conservationists who argue the state should prioritize precious land-buying dollars elsewhere.

The landowners looking to sell the property are Pointe Mezzanine LLC and Pointe Resort LLC, both of which are registered in state corporate filings to Robert Guidry, a Louisiana business owner. Guidry is a prominent donor to state politicians and local officials in the Panhandle county where his property is located.

The purchase, expedited this summer when lawmakers added last-minute language to the budget prioritizing the parcel, would expand beach access and protect it from development. But experts say its conservation value doesn’t justify the price tag, nor the sudden leapfrogging of other key environmental projects.

If the purchase is approved, Guidry’s companies could make over 10 times what they paid for the land.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/09/26/florida-land-deal-destin-okaloosa-desantis-donor/