Camp Venice Speaks

The whole contract is below. You may review the full text of the April 2025 Contract for Sale and Purchase between Robert Kurens AMBR Camp Venice, LLC and Sarasota County for the $14 million acquisition of approximately 20.83 acres at 4085 E. Venice Ave., Venice, FL. Obtained as a public record under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, this document outlines the terms of a taxpayer-funded sale intended to protect environmentally sensitive lands and neighborhood parklands. Residents of Camp Venice RV Resort, where 13 park mode homeowners with yearly leases have been publicly noted by County official Nicole Rissler, argue that the contract’s provisions—particularly Clause #12—obligate the County to investigate lease-related defects before the August 24, 2025, due diligence deadline. This contract is a critical piece of evidence in our advocacy for transparency and accountability. Residents are mystified by Sarasota's refusal to use their own powers to investigate why the yearly leases are not being recognized in order to protect the residents under Chapter 723.  Florida has strict rules to protect residents when a mobile home park is sold.  

According to the taxpayer fund "Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Form" The very first criteria for using the funds is MINIMIZING OR AVOIDING ADVERSE IMPACTS TO EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.  These funds were used to buy Camp Venice.  We argue that the sale of Camp Venice is destroying our existing neighborhood of 13 permanent resident homeowners.  Seven families have already been displaced, including a 93-year-old retired doctor who lived there for 19 years. Neither the seller, Robert Kurens, nor his staff have responded  to our texts, calls, or emails pleading for help.   So far ten families have come forward with allegations that their security deposits have not been refunded. Will the Sarasota County Taxpayers be on board with displacing families using their tax dollars?