Barron Collier Withdraws Offer of Land for Jackson Lab
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Published on Friday, 14 January 2011 23:13
Barron Collier has withdrawn its offer of 50 acres of land in Ave Maria that was proposed as the site of a new Jackson Laboratory genetics research facility, the company announced Friday.
Blake Gable, the Barron Collier executive who initiated efforts to bring the Jackson Lab to Florida, earlier Friday said he was surprised by the extent of discussions the lab had been having with the communities of Sarasota and Tampa about locating its facility there, instead of in Ave Maria.
Mr. Gable said that Barron Collier would not get involved in negotiations involving other communities, so the decision to withdraw the offer to donate land for the Jackson Lab project effectively eliminates Ave Maria as a location.
The lab announced Thursday that it had begun discussions with community and business leaders in Sarasota and Tampa about the possibility of locating in those areas, which would be closer to facilities of the University of South Florida, with whom the lab signed a partnership agreement.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Friday that a Sarasota County commissioner, Joe Barbetta, said that discussions with the Jackson Lab began about two weeks ago.
"That was news to me," Mr. Gable told The Ave Herald, adding that he was only advised about the lab's discussions with other communities earlier this week.
Mike Hyde, the lab's vice president for advancement and external relations, confirmed that discussions with Sarasota have been under way for a few weeks.
Mr. Gable, who led the effort to bring The Jackson Lab to southwest Florida, was clear that his company did not intend to get into a "bidding war" with other communities over the location of the Jackson Lab's Florida facility, originally proposed for a site on Oil Well Rd. near Ave Maria.
"The Jackson Lab needs to do what's in their best interest, and if the money is not there in Collier County, and costs can be lower closer to other infrastructure, we understand and wish them the best of luck," Mr. Gable said.
"But our organization is not going to sit around while they shop for the best deal." Mr. Gable added. "We won't be part of a protracted negotiation among different communities."
Mr. Hyde, vice president for advancement at The Jackson Lab, said the lab has had a "great business relationship with Barron Collier" and he hoped "our friends in Collier County will look for ways to make this happen."
"Under current circumstances and in light of changes in the administration everybody has to adjust to a new reality," he added.
Click here for related story from Naples Daily News: The End for Jackson Lab?
Click here for previous Ave Herald story: Jackson Lab Raises Possibility of Locating in Tampa or Sarasota
Click here for Sarasota Herald-Tribune story: Top genetics lab looks at Sarasota
