Dunedin, Pinellas Move Ahead To Purchase Gladys Douglas Land

DUNEDIN, FL — The city of Dunedin and Pinellas County will announce plans to acquire the environmentally sensitive Douglas-Hackworth property Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Government officials from Pinellas County and the city of Dunedin will hold an 11 a.m. news conference Dec. 30 to announce efforts to acquire the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth property.

Both agencies have agreed the land should be acquired for environmental preservation and passive recreation. City and county leaders recognize the public interest in the property and the importance of maintaining the land as the owner intended.

"We want to honor Gladys Douglas' memory. She was a pillar of the community for many years," said Jennifer Bramley, city manager of city of Dunedin.

Dunedin and Pinellas County have offered to purchase the property for up to $8 million with a combination of public money and supplemented funds made with private donations; however, the Douglas-Hackworth estate has countered with a firm $10 million offer.

The city and county are working with the estate to extend the original deadline of Jan. 18.

Leaders are confident the community interest will attract more donors to make up the additional funds.

"We are balancing the community's strong desire to preserve the property with our responsibility to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money, and deeply appreciate the donors who have stepped forward to support these two goals," said Pinellas County Administrator Barry A. Burton.

During Wednesday's conference, city and county leaders and donors, including the Sierra Club and the Pinellas Community Foundation, will discuss further efforts to meet the $10 million offer.

To register, click on the link to participate in the meeting or you may join the audio ZOOM meeting at one of the following numbers: 1-646-558-8656; 1-312-626-6799; 1-301-715-8592; 1-346-248-7799; 1-669-900-9128; or 1-253-215-8782. You will be asked to enter a Meeting ID number: 937 7561 0955.

See related stories:

• Residents Fight To Save Conservation Parcel From Becoming Condos
• Conservation Land Saved From Condos; City Hopes To Purchase
• Pinellas County To Negotiate Purchase Of Douglas-Hackworth Land