WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT TO EXPECT COMING UP IN JUST A BIT. >> TONIGHT IN GULF COAST NEWS INVESTIGATION, RECORDS REVEALED THE STAGGERING PRICE TAG OF SOME OF THE LITTLE ITEMS BEING USED. IT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER DAVE ELIAS SHOW THE STATE PLAN TO SPEND NEARLY ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD AND RUN THE DETENTION CENTER IN COLLIER COUNTY OPEN LAST SUMMER AT AN ABANDONED AIRFIELD IN THE EVERGLADES. TONIGHT, DAVE REVEALS HOW THE STATE TO SPENDING YOUR TAX DOLLARS. WELL, THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS NOW SHOW THAT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS EXPECTED TO COST NEARLY 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS IN SOME OF THE >> SPENDING QUESTIONABLE, INCLUDING $39,000 ON PILLOWS AND $169,000 FOR BUNNI HAT AND 17 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ROADS AND FENCING AND ANY ANYTHING ADDED TO OUR ALREADY HIGH JUST TO THINK THEY COULD CHANGE ON TAXPAYERS REACTING TO THE NEARLY 1 BILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG ATTACHED. ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ. I’M TIRED OF IT. A DEEPER DIVE SHOWS THAT MAJOR EXPENSES WERE CONSTRUCTION AT MORE THAN 626 MILLION CLOTHING AND BEDDING, TOTALING 388 MILLION AND MEDICAL 143 MILLION E-MAILS SHOW THAT FEMA FLAG SPENDING HAS A PROBLEM. DON’T THINK IT SHOULD COST TO TAXPAYERS AS MUCH AS CHARGES. AND FEMA REPEATEDLY DEMANDED EXPLANATIONS FOR THE COST. THE STATE EVEN WANTED A COURTROOM IN THE DETENTION CAMP WITH IMMIGRATION JUDGES STATIONED THERE AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY. WE HAVE TO REEL IN THE GOVERNOR. THE CONCERNS THAT FEMA MAY NOT REIMBURSE THE STATE GOVERNOR EVEN POSTING ON OCTOBER SECOND THAT HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE FACILITY. ALTHOUGH DOCUMENTS SHOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PAUSED THAT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FACILITY. >> IN THE FINAL MONTHS OF 2025, BLAMING ADMINISTRATIVE FLAWS LEAVING THE STATE ON THE HOOK TO PICK UP THE TAB. IT’S TIME THAT WE CLOSE SHOP AND BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATE AS THEY WILL. I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT I HAVE REACHED OUT TO REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HERE LOCALLY AND
Documents detail Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz spent estimated $388 million on clothing and bedding
Updated: 6:56 PM EST Mar 5, 2026
Florida’s Everglades detention facility, known as Alligator Alcatraz, has cost taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion, according to documents obtained by Gulf Coast News reporter Dave Elias, with expenses including construction, clothing, and medical care.The facility’s expenses include $626 million for construction, $388 million for clothing and bedding, and $143 million for medical care. Additional costs include $39,000 on pillows, $169,000 for boonie hats, and $17 million for roads and fencing.Taxpayers have expressed frustration over the high costs. “Anything added to our already high taxes, I think they should change that,” said Sandy Wray. Chaz Jarvis echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m tired of it.”Emails reveal that FEMA flagged the spending as problematic and repeatedly demanded explanations for the costs, as the state even wanted a courtroom in the detention camp with immigration judges stationed there. Anna Eskamani, a representative from District 42, said, “As a legislative body, we have to reel in the governor.”Concerns arose that FEMA may not reimburse the state, despite the governor’s Oct. 2 post claiming he was right about receiving federal funds for the facility.Documents show the Trump administration paused reimbursement in the final months of 2025, citing administrative flaws, leaving the state responsible for the costs. Eskamani added, “It’s time we chose shop and let the federal government operate as they will.”Local Republican lawmakers have not commented on the issue.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida’s Everglades detention facility, known as Alligator Alcatraz, has cost taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion, according to documents obtained by Gulf Coast News reporter Dave Elias, with expenses including construction, clothing, and medical care.
The facility’s expenses include $626 million for construction, $388 million for clothing and bedding, and $143 million for medical care. Additional costs include $39,000 on pillows, $169,000 for boonie hats, and $17 million for roads and fencing.
Taxpayers have expressed frustration over the high costs. “Anything added to our already high taxes, I think they should change that,” said Sandy Wray. Chaz Jarvis echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m tired of it.”
Emails reveal that FEMA flagged the spending as problematic and repeatedly demanded explanations for the costs, as the state even wanted a courtroom in the detention camp with immigration judges stationed there. Anna Eskamani, a representative from District 42, said, “As a legislative body, we have to reel in the governor.”
Concerns arose that FEMA may not reimburse the state, despite the governor’s Oct. 2 post claiming he was right about receiving federal funds for the facility.
Documents show the Trump administration paused reimbursement in the final months of 2025, citing administrative flaws, leaving the state responsible for the costs. Eskamani added, “It’s time we chose shop and let the federal government operate as they will.”
Local Republican lawmakers have not commented on the issue.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.