Venice Spends $11.8 Million to Acquire Former Auto Dealership

The city of Venice has finalized the acquisition of the former Douglas Jeep dealership property, marking a strategic move to relocate its solid waste, recycling, and fleet maintenance operations to the new site.

The property, located at 1280 U.S. 41 Bypass S., was sold for $11.8 million, with the sale officially closing on September 3.

Douglas Jeep, which has relocated to 2372 S. Tamiami Trail, originally acquired the site in 2018 for $2.4 million, according to records from Sarasota County.

In addition to the purchase price, the city is set to invest around $1 million in upgrades to ensure the site meets its operational needs. Planned renovations include securing the perimeter, installing new fuel tanks, adding more restrooms, and constructing additional walls.

The acquisition encompasses 4.7 acres along with a substantial 37,000-square-foot building. Approximately $250,000 of the purchase price will go toward personal property purchases, which include office furniture, vehicle lifts, and other essential fleet maintenance equipment.

The transaction was facilitated by Sarasota commercial real estate firm Ian Black Real Estate, with brokers Jag Grewal and Michelle Fuller representing the city, while Terry Purdy of Merritt Real Estate represented Douglas Jeep.

Initially, the city had plans to construct a new 40,000-square-foot facility; however, the projected costs were estimated at around $20 million, prompting the city to pursue this more economical purchasing and upgrading route.