Dilapidated tennis resort on Longboat Key in limbo

LONGBOAT KEY (FOX 13) - Collapsed buildings and overgrown tennis courts are highlights of a multimillion-dollar property on Longboat Key.

It's gotten so bad, the town issued an emergency demolition order but it could take a while for the site of the former Colony Beach and Tennis Resort to get a facelift.

It used to be a world-class resort known for tennis and the stars who stayed there.

Now it’s a shell of its former self and has become an eyesore. Some say they’re afraid wind could literally blow the buildings apart.

According to officials, the buildings have become a danger.

Thursday, the town of Longboat Key declared an emergency demolition order.

Resident and former commissioner Lynn Larson says getting the order has been a long battle.

“The town has lost a lot of money because of the shape of this property and it being unused," Larson said.

Last October, the town put out notices that many of the units were unsafe and told condo owners they needed to make changes.

After nothing was done, the emergency order was put into place. Demolition could take time, however.

A majority of the condo owners accepted buyouts, but even though nobody lives there anymore, a few owners continue to hold back.

This past spring, the town of Longboat Key Commission accepted plans for a new condo complex to be built by Unicorp. Before they can make any changes all current condo owners must accept buyouts.

If they decide to appeal the Colony will continue to sit as is and residents will continue to wait for a change.

“We need a place where visitors can come, enjoy themselves, make new memories and have a new generation that wants to come back to Longboat Key,” Lynn said.