Klauber-owned property scheduled for auction

The property at 4110 Gulf of Mexico Drive, owned by longtime Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber, is scheduled for a foreclosure sale Friday, Sept. 16. And although a change of ownership could happen soon, the property’s new owner won’t be the town of Longboat Key — for now.

The Longboat Key Town Commission was scheduled to discuss the property, located just north of Bayfront Park, at its Sept. 12 meeting but removed the item during the meeting.

Commissioner Phill Younger, who asked that the item be discussed at the meeting, said with just days left until the foreclosure auction, the timing wouldn’t work.

“It just doesn’t work,” Younger said. “It’s an enticing piece of property. In a perfect world, it would expand the park area.”

According to a uniform judgment of mortgage foreclosure filed in July in Sarasota County Court, Klauber owes a total $662,593.46 on the property, including a principal amount of $580,850.13.

The Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s website, sarasotaproperty.net, states that a 1,332-square-foot residence with three bedrooms and three bathrooms is located on the property. According to the website, the just market value of the property is $518,500. It last sold for $329,000 in January 1998.

On Tuesday afternoon, Klauber said he wasn’t worried about losing the property. He said his main focus was the battle over the shuttered Colony in which he awaits a ruling from U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday.

“If I have to lose it, I have to lose it,” Klauber said of the Gulf of Mexico Drive property.

Klauber stressed the property is unrelated to the property next-door, where Pattigeorge’s restaurant is located. His son, Tommy Klauber, owns the restaurant.

Klauber said he was unable to make payments on the property because of the ongoing dispute with the Colony Beach & Tennis Association. But as of Tuesday afternoon, he said he hadn’t completely given up on the property.

“It’s not a closed case yet,” he said. “We still have three days.”