Neal Communities buys land for Blackburn Creek

BUYER: Copperstone Acquisition LLC (principals: Patrick Neal and James Schier), Bradenton

SELLER: Atlas FL I Spe LLC

PROPERTY: Cedar Ridge, 13261, 13241, 13221, 13260, 13250, 13240, 13211 and 13200 Squirrel Run Drive and 21011, 21001, 21000, 21021 and 21010 Chirping, Venice

PRICE: $560,000

LAW FIRM ON DEED: Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP, Sarasota

PLANS, DESCRIPTION: Homebuilder Pat Neal purchased 85 acres near Center and River roads for $560,000.

The price equated to $6,588 per acre.

Neal, CEO of Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities, plans to integrate the additional property into his Blackburn Creek village project. Cedar Ridge is surrounded on three sides by the 784-acre Blackburn property.

The site would likely add 170 homes to the much larger project, which will feature 1,568 homes and 150,000 square feet of commercial space.

Neal says the property was particularly desirable given its location near several popular upscale residential communities, including Stoneybrook at Venice, Plantation Golf & Country Club and Gran Paradiso.

The Sarasota County Commission approved the Blackburn Creek plan as a development of critical concern and a rezone Oct. 12.