Collier County has taken a significant step forward in land planning, conservation, and community housing with its latest purchase — acquiring the expansive 2,247-acre Williams Farm near Lake Trafford for $20.77 million. The deal, finalized Sept. 18, marks one of Southwest Florida’s largest public land acquisitions in recent years. 

Location & Price

• Location: Northeastern Collier County, adjacent to Lake Trafford, west and southwest of Immokalee, around State Road 29. 

• Size: 2,247 acres of agricultural land known as Williams Farm. 

• Price: $20.77 million paid to the Williams family trust. 

Why the County Did It

Originally, Collier County was seeking about 150 acres to develop a regional park near Immokalee. However, when the opportunity arose to purchase the much larger Williams Farm, the county saw broader potential: not only for park space, but also for housing — including workforce or affordable units. 

Funding

The funding for the acquisition comes from a mix of sources:

• $11.9 million from the Conservation Collier fund 

• $1.8 million from the Parks department fund 

• $5.95 million from the affordable housing entitled fund 

• $1.1 million from the affordable housing not-entitled fund 

What’s Planned

The county has outlined several intended uses for the newly acquired land, aiming for a mixed-use future that balances development and conservation:

• Housing — including possibly affordable and workforce housing 

• Parks & Recreation — regional park amenities near Immokalee.

• Conservation — keeping parts of the land undeveloped to preserve natural features and ecosystem services 

• Infrastructure & Services — transportation, stormwater management, economic development, and the potential fire operations with the Immokalee Fire & Rescue District 

Also note: parts of the property are still in active agricultural use (tomatoes, bell peppers, etc.), and some acreage has already been rezoned/entitled for about 300 residential units. This contributes to how the final sale price was determined. 

Implications & What To Watch

This purchase reflects several trends and raises important considerations:

• Opportunities for affordable/workforce housing: By owning the land, the county has more flexibility to designate housing that meets community needs rather than just market‐rate development.

• Integrated planning: The mix of park, conservation, and housing uses suggests an effort to do thoughtful, multi-purpose planning rather than piecemeal development.

• Environmental/stormwater concerns: With large acreage and potential development, stormwater management and preserving natural features will be key.

• Phasing: What phases of development roll out first, and how zoning and infrastructure are put in place will determine how smoothly the plan will work.

Conclusion

Collier County’s purchase of Williams Farm is more than just a land deal. It’s a strategic move that positions the county to better meet its goals around conservation, regional parks, and housing—especially for residents who might otherwise be priced out or live far from their workplaces. Now, the real work begins: turning this large, diverse tract of land into a resource that serves environmental, recreational, and housing needs in harmony.

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