Get Out Your Checkbooks; $275,000 Needed To Save Douglas Property

DUNEDIN, FL — More than 600 donors including two who pledged $2 million each plus a sold-out benefit concert and auction Wednesday netted $25,000 has raised $9.7 million toward the purchase of the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth conservation site.

"We're had an amazing response, and we only need $275,000 to close the gap by Sunday, Jan. 31," said Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski during a news conference Friday.

The trustees of the property are asking $10 million.

Organizers hoped that Wednesday's concert and auction hosted by the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Blue-Green Connections and Woodwright Brewing Company, with partners the Pinellas Community Foundation, Suncoast Group Sierra Club and activist Nichole Mattheus would put the fund over the to save the property.

The #Save the Gladys Douglas Property has been raising funds since July when longtime Dunedin philanthropist Gladys Douglas died.

According to family member and former Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth said it was always Gladys Douglas's intent to preserve the endangered scrub land, the county's largest undeveloped scrub habitat. However, following her death, the board of trustees brokered a deal to sell the property to Pulte for development.

Following public pressure including weekly sign-waving protests in front of the property, Pulte backed out and the trustees offered to sell the property to the county for $10 million.

"I can't tell you how my happy my family is to be saving this property," said Hackworth. "Glady is would be looking down in joy to see the progress made to preserve her last wish."

He said the community launched similar efforts to preserve Honeymoon Island, the Hammocks and Weaver Park. While many of those original conservationists are now gone, their legacy remains, making Dunedin a leader in protecting sensitive environmental lands.

"We're this close to getting the money and creating a wonderful legacy for the next generation," Hackworth said.

"The community has really stepped up and seen the importance of preserving our natural environment," said Duggan Cooley of the Pinellas Community Foundation.

"We knew it was going to be a challenge," said Pinellas County Commission chairman and former Dunedin mayor Dave Eggers. "And we look forward to making this deal happening. This project is one of the most important that the county has seen and the public response has been amazing. We look forward to making this thing close in a timely fashion."

Dunedin City Manager Jennifer Bramley said she's scheduled a meeting with the attorney for the estate next week and she plans to bring a sales agreement with her. "We are confident the community will be able to put us over the top.

"We still need $275,000, so if I have to beg, please get your checkbooks out," said Bujalski.

See related stories:

• Dunedin Fundraising Concert Sold Out But Can Be Seen Virtually
• Dunedin, Pinellas Move Ahead To Purchase Gladys Douglas Land
• Pinellas County, City Of Dunedin In Lockstep On Douglas Hackworth Property
• City Of Dunedin, Pinellas County, Close To Acquiring The Gladys Douglas Hackworth Preserve
• Pinellas County To Negotiate Purchase Of Douglas-Hackworth Land
• Residents Fight To Save Conservation Parcel From Becoming Condos
• Conservation Land Saved From Condos; City Hopes To Purchase