Our island community is coming together to preserve approximately 22 acres of Captiva Island, a rare stretch of land running from the Gulf to the Bay between Captiva’s Village and South Seas Resort. These acres, now owned by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, remain largely undeveloped — a living piece of the island that inspired the legendary artist Robert Rauschenberg himself. During his lifetime, Rauschenberg devoted tremendous effort to safeguarding this land from overdevelopment.
Why This Land Matters
This property is not just land — it’s part of Captiva’s soul. Its lush, natural beauty has inspired generations of artists, residents, and visitors. Preserving it honors Rauschenberg’s legacy and protects the island’s delicate ecosystem from irreversible change.
Competing Offers: Development vs. Preservation
Currently, the Rauschenberg Foundation has received multiple offers — including proposals from developers and a community-driven offer focused on conservation and public good.
-
The Captiva Island Fire District has proposed purchasing the 9.81-acre bayfront portion to secure space for its helicopter landing zone and other essential emergency services.
-
A Captiva Community Investor has offered to purchase the full 22-acre property, sell the bayfront parcels to the Fire District, and collaborate with local nonprofits, including SCCF and other community leaders, to preserve as much of the remaining land as possible.
Neither the Fire District nor the Community Investor intends to rezone the property for higher density or increased building heights. The vision is clear — to protect, not to profit.
How You Can Help
The Rauschenberg Foundation is now evaluating all offers. To ensure that this cherished land remains protected, we need your voice.
Please take a few minutes to urge the Foundation to sell to the Captiva Community Investor in partnership with the Fire District.
You can send your message by both email and mail:
Email: tyler.minix@nmrk.com
✉️ Mail:
Courtney J. Martin, Executive Director
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
381 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
Key Reasons to Support the Community Offer
Your letter can be brief — even a few sentences make a difference. In your own words, you might share why protecting this property matters to you and the broader Captiva community. Here are some important points to consider:
-
Environmental Protection: Captiva’s fragile ecosystem cannot sustain major new development without risking serious environmental harm and evacuation challenges during natural disasters.
-
Rauschenberg’s Legacy: Preserving this property honors the artist’s lifelong commitment to protecting Captiva’s natural landscape.
-
Public Safety: The Fire District’s helicopter landing zone and facilities are essential for emergency response and community safety.
-
Public Green Space: Captiva currently has very limited public land. Preserving these acres offers much-needed open space for residents and visitors.
-
Flood Management: The land could provide valuable opportunities for stormwater management to reduce chronic flooding in Captiva Village.
-
Community Use: Some existing buildings could be repurposed for community needs, or maintained as homes consistent with current zoning.
-
No Rezoning: The community plan ensures the land will not be converted into hotels, condominiums, or high-rise developments.
Time is of the essence here, and letters should go out this week, if possible.
The Rauschenberg Foundation is currently in the process of evaluating its purchase offers. We have been told that the Rauschenberg Foundation’s preference is to sell to the community in order to preserve the property. But we don’t know that for sure, and it is important that the community show the Rauschenberg Foundation how much we want and need to preserve and protect this property from future development.
Thank you,
James Evans, CEO
SCCF
