Sarasota County officials and local environmentalists have a vision to transform the former golf course that weaves through the Gulf Gate neighborhood into a manmade wetland that rivals Celery Fields to mop up flooding and serve as a new wildlife habitat.
But first, they need to buy the property — and that process is proving to be a challenge.
County officials and the developer who owns the 48.9-acre property are worlds apart when it comes to a selling price. The land is owned by Gulf Gate Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of 13th Floor Investments, which is a Miami-based real estate and development firm…