Florida
Developer Marshall Gobuty in Legal Battle Over Canal Rights in Cortez, Affecting Local Residents
In 1985, a book appeared called “Finest Kind: A Celebration of a Florida Fishing Village” by Ben Green. It depicted life in a Manatee County waterfront town named Cortez. Green, a native, bemoaned the forces pushing to change little Cortez…
Key points
- Developer Marshall Gobuty is in a legal dispute with Cortez homeowners over canal rights.
- Local residents are concerned about maintaining their property rights amid increasing development pressures.
- The case raises broader questions about community preservation and developer influence in Florida.
NewsWK — A significant legal dispute is unfolding in Cortez, Florida, as developer Marshall Gobuty faces off against local homeowners over the rights to a canal that connects to the Intracoastal Waterway. This conflict has caught the attention of residents across Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton, and surrounding areas, raising concerns about property rights and community integrity.
Gobuty, who has gained recognition as a sustainable real estate developer, recently initiated a lawsuit against several longtime residents of Cortez, including Kim Ibasfalean, who has lived in the area for 30 years. The developer claims ownership of the 1,400-foot canal, asserting that he has the right to charge residents for dock use or demand their eviction. This has sparked a fierce legal battle that has left local families grappling with unexpected legal fees and uncertainty.
The homeowners, including Ibasfalean and her husband, have turned to crowdfunding for legal expenses and have publicly displayed signs along the canal protesting the lawsuit. Ibasfalean expressed concern that they are being sued for “trespassing in our own backyards” and that they must remove their docks due to Gobuty’s claims.
This dispute is particularly notable as it highlights broader tensions in Florida between developers and local communities. The canal in question dates back to the 1950s and is a part of Cortez’s rich fishing heritage, which residents wish to preserve amidst developments like Gobuty’s Hunters Point project. The area has been facing significant growth pressures, and many residents are worried about the impact of new developments on their way of life.
Local officials and community leaders are closely monitoring the situation, as it could set a precedent affecting property rights and navigation in the region. For residents in Pensacola and beyond, the outcome of this case could influence how future developments are managed and the extent to which local voices are heard in the face of corporate interests.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Craig Pittman originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
