The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation recently announced its decision to sell its significant 22-acre property on Captiva Island, a move that has sparked conversation and action among local organizations. The announcement, made on August 27th, stated that the foundation plans to sell the land, which has been home to the prestigious Rauschenberg Residency.
The foundation cited rising environmental challenges and escalating maintenance costs as the primary reasons for the sale. A sustainability assessment confirmed that the property would require substantial investment to ensure its long-term resilience, an investment that the foundation felt would be better used to support a wider range of mission-driven programs for artists and institutions elsewhere.
The sale will mark the end of the Rauschenberg Residency on the island, though the program will continue to host artists until its final residency concludes in August of next year. The foundation’s Archives Research Residency program in New York will remain active, and there are plans to preserve the historic 1942 Fish House on the Captiva property.
A Collective Bid for Preservation
In response to the news, a number of island entities are exploring the possibility of purchasing the land. At a Captiva Community Panel meeting on September 9th, President David Mintz shared that a team is being formed to research a community acquisition of the property. The goal is to preserve the land as a public space or nature refuge, and to maintain the helicopter pad for the fire district’s use.
Mintz reported that the property’s value has been estimated at $40 million to $50 million. He also noted that several developers, including South Seas, are interested in the site. The property is currently zoned for a mix of single-family, commercial, and two-family use, with a density limit of three units per acre. However, Mintz cautioned that the county could rezone the land, referencing a recent rezoning of a local resort.
He also shared a powerful personal detail: Rauschenberg’s ashes are buried on the property. “So it behooves us to make sure that a hotel is not built on top of them,” Mintz said.
Official Actions Underway
The idea of a community purchase is gaining official traction. On September 11th, the Captiva Island Fire Control District board approved a resolution to conduct due diligence on a potential acquisition. The district sees the property as a strategic location to expand public safety services, including the establishment of a medical helicopter landing zone, a training facility, equipment storage, and a boat dock.
Similarly, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District board approved a resolution on September 18th to authorize a feasibility study and due diligence. The district’s interest lies in using the property to further its mission of erosion prevention, natural resource protection, and community resilience by providing a site for conservation, shoreline protection, and public access.
This coordinated effort highlights the community’s commitment to preserving a piece of Captiva’s heritage and ensuring the land’s future benefits the entire island.
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