Stallone's $35m waterfront barrier stirs local backlash
According to information from "The Palm Beach Post," the neighbours were surprised by request submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. They have until 25th December to submit comments.
The project aims to protect the 35 million-dollar property from pollution and algae, but its main objective is to prevent boats from entering the area.
Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, have also applied for a lease of state land on which the barrier is to be located. The documents indicate that the application was submitted in January 2023, and the plans reached the Army Corps in August. The period for public comments began on 24th October.
controversies surrounding the project
"He bought a beautiful property," said Stallone's neighbour, Bradford Gary. "I can see why you'd want to protect it. But you can't just kind of stake your claim and think you own the water."
According to neighbours, the information about the possibility of submitting comments came too late. "Usually when your neighbours are gonna do something, we've found in Palm Beach, usually they call," said Gary. "A lot of neighbours are concerned."
Stallone, who in 2021 bought a property of approximately 1 acre with a lake view, has not yet commented on the matter. The estate includes the main house, a guest cottage, and a pool pavilion, with a total living area of over 13,000 square feet.
Meanwhile, the Army Corps (a unit dealing with military and civil engineering) is analysing whether using the barrier to deter boats is permissible. "The Corps is reviewing the project purpose to determine if the use of barrier for the purpose of deterring boaters within the public waterway is permittable," said an Army Corps spokesman, quoted by "The Palm Beach Post".
No match for Stallone
As reported by the Daily Mail, if Stallone needs to escalate the matter to a higher level, he has a powerful ally nearby in the person of President-elect Donald Trump.
Last month, Stallone appeared at an event in Mar-a-Lago, praising the future president for his spectacular victory on election day.
"We are in the presence of a really mythical character. I love mythology," said Stallone during the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala in a short speech in which he introduced Trump. "Nobody in the world could’ve pulled off what he pulled off. So I’m in awe."
Stallone compared Trump to the character of Rocky Balboa, saying both went through a "metamorphosis" and changed the lives of many people.
