Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[beach43ofus]

How many times have I warned potential buyers here about Wellen Parks' Special Taxing District status? At least 20.

WARNING #21...Do not buy in Wellen Parks STD area. Get a map of the boundaries, and stay outside of it.

If money is no object to you, or zoning laws...its a free country...have at it.

Originally Posted by wondermint2

North Port residents sue to force change in how development-dominated board is chosen

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/no...adf4df8c&ei=31

A Gran Paradiso resident challenged the West Villages Improvement District in circuit court over the method the special government district uses to shift the makeup of its board of supervisors from one picked by developers to one elected by residents.

That suit comes on the heels of a another filed in late September that claims a proposed special assessment to charge property owners for an irrigation fee lawsuit was improperly noticed.

The method of transitioning to an elected board from one by the developer was one of several things discussed at the Sept. 14 meeting of the West Villages Improvement District Board of Supervisors meeting. That's when the board voted 4-1 to ask the state Legislature to update its process to the current system laid out in Florida law called the Uniform Special District Accountability Act.

[wondermint2]

How the expansion of Sarasota Bradenton airport could handle millions more passengers

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...cc4cc6e6&ei=37

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport could eventually accommodate 6.5 million to 7 million passengers a year with expansion work now underway, including the construction of a new ground-level terminal.

Compare that to the record year that SRQ is having — 4.2 million passengers traveling through the terminal in the 12 months ending in September.

That's a 13% increase compared to the previous 12-month period.

A passenger load like that would trigger Phase Two of expansion plans, which would provide three additional gates and directly connect the ground-level terminal with the existing concourse, Rick Piccolo, the airport's president and CEO, said this week.

[wondermint2]

The City of Sarasota will host Legacy Trail-Payne Park connector meeting Oct. 26

For full article:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/10/1...eeting-oct-26/

The City of Sarasota will host an informational meeting Thursday, Oct. 26 to learn about The Legacy Trail-Payne Park improvement project that will connect bicyclists, walkers and others from The Legacy Trail to downtown Sarasota.

The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First Street.

On the table will be discussion on connectivity and safety for users traveling between The Legacy Trail, downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and Lido Key. A 14-foot-wide Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) will be constructed and connect from South Payne Park to The Legacy Trail/School Avenue junction. The trail will tie into protected bike lanes on the Ringling Trail and offer shorter travel distances for those bicycling, walking or using mobility assistance devices.

The project will include amenities such as a shade shelter, drinking fountain, benches, tables, bike rack, lighting, landscaping, and informational signage.

[wondermint2]

Area Rents Are Cooling, But Not By Much

Rent levels have dropped since last year, but overall median rents are still $1,864 in Sarasota County and $1,738 in Manatee County.

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/hom...rent-cost-2023

“A lot of this comes down to new supply. There are more units in the construction pipeline and it’s having an impact,” says Chris Salviati, senior housing economist with Apartment List. “Also, demand has cooled compared to a couple of years ago when remote work options were on the table.”

To Salviati’s point, Sarasota is seeing a surge of new developments in the pipeline, but despite both new city-level and statewide incentives for developers to build affordable housing, few affordable units are part of what’s to come.

As for the declines in rent, Salviati says they’re not at a level of “significant reversal of that astronomical area rent growth, which took off in 2020. The region still has some of the fastest rent growth that’s not reversing.”

[wondermint2]

Police report alleges theft of Venice City Council campaign yard signs

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...065faa53&ei=31

The Venice Police Department is investigating complaints of campaign sign theft and vandalism in the Venice City Council race.

The complaint involves theft of signs supporting Seat 2 candidate Dusty Feller from three sites on the island of Venice – two in the 300 block of Bayshore Drive and one in the 400 block of Nassau Street.

Feller filed the report on Oct. 13.

The Republican Party of Sarasota County publicized it in an Oct. 16 press release that also mentioned incidents where the campaign signs of both Feller and Mitzie Fiedler, both Republicans, were either vandalized or removed from locations in the city limits.

The election for the two council seats are the only races in Sarasota County on the Nov. 7 ballot.

[wondermint2]

$1.5 million to lead a college with 698 students? | Commentary

For full article:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023...scott-maxwell/

Let’s talk about what may be the most ridiculously inflated political salary in Florida.

Earlier this year, Richard Corcoran made eyes roll when the former house speaker who’s famous for grousing about government largesse took a job as the president of the smallest college in Florida’s public university system — and started cashing a massive paycheck.

First, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees at New College in Sarasota replaced the sitting president, who had a base salary of $305,000, with Corcoran, who had no higher-ed experience, and paid him $699,000.

Then Team DeSantis decided to shower Corcoran with benefits and perks that brought his package up to $1 million.

Well, if that wasn’t enough, the Tampa Bay Times now reports that DeSantis’ operatives conducted a questionable “analysis” that suggests Corcoran may be entitled to a compensation package worth as much as $1.5 million.

All to run a college that’s smaller than most middle schools with 698 students.

[wondermint2]

Bealls plans to open three stores in one day — in one shopping center

For full article:

https://www.businessobserverfl.com/n...tores-one-day/

Bradenton retailer Bealls is readying itself for a big party — by opening three locations under a trio of brands in one day, scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 20.

The location, according to a statement, is the Merchants Crossing shopping center at 1500 Placida Road in Englewood, south Sarasota County, near the Charlotte County line. The stores are one each of Bealls, Bealls Florida and Home Centric.

The celebration kicks off Friday, Oct. 20, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 22, the company says. The first 200 guests in line at 9 a.m. Friday will receive a free gift card valued at $10, $20 or $50. And shoppers can enter to win a $500 gift card to the stores all weekend, the release states.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

After delays, water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton has new launch date

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/delays-wa...191500622.html

Talked about for decades, water taxi service between the Bradenton waterfront and Anna Maria Island, could start in time for Thanksgiving.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, on Monday briefed members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council on water taxi plans.

The water taxi’s start date has slipped several times due to a number of challenges, including finding a vendor, the time needed to build the boats, negotiating agreements with local governmental entities and more.

County OKs $325K from TDC for Bridge Street boardwalk

For full article:

https://www.islander.org/2023/10/cou...eet-boardwalk/

Manatee County and Bradenton Beach are getting their bucks in a row for the construction of a ferry staging area near the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved a motion funding a boardwalk project with tourist development taxes by a unanimous 7-0 vote Oct. 10.

Commissioners approved the $325,000 project in their consent agenda. There was no discussion on the project.

The project involves building a boardwalk connecting the Historic Bridge Street Pier to the bayfront dinghy docks adjacent to the Bridgetender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St., and will include a pocket park, a pergola and a deck with tables.

The community redevelopment agency, which oversees projects in the commercial district, is working in collaboration with the county on the boardwalk, which will serve as the staging area for guests to await the ferry that is expected to launch this year.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Area Rents Are Cooling, But Not By Much

Rent levels have dropped since last year, but overall median rents are still $1,864 in Sarasota County and $1,738 in Manatee County.

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/hom...rent-cost-2023

“A lot of this comes down to new supply. There are more units in the construction pipeline and it’s having an impact,” says Chris Salviati, senior housing economist with Apartment List. “Also, demand has cooled compared to a couple of years ago when remote work options were on the table.”

To Salviati’s point, Sarasota is seeing a surge of new developments in the pipeline, but despite both new city-level and statewide incentives for developers to build affordable housing, few affordable units are part of what’s to come.

As for the declines in rent, Salviati says they’re not at a level of “significant reversal of that astronomical area rent growth, which took off in 2020. The region still has some of the fastest rent growth that’s not reversing.”

Another sign that rents are cooling off?

Investor pays $70.5 million for Sarasota apartments

For full article:

https://www.businessobserverfl.com/n...ta-apartments/

The Reserve at Palmer Ranch has sold.

The 320-unit Sarasota County apartment complex was bought by MLG Capital which, according to county property records, paid $70.5 million.

The garden-style property is located at 4110 Winners Circle, just off of McIntosh Road. It was built in 1990 and includes single and two-story buildings of which 67% are two- and three-bedroom apartment homes.

The sale price may be a sign that the multifamily market is changing. Just about 14 months ago, in April of 2022, a nearby apartment community sold for $121.5 million. That property was the 257-unit Sage on Palmer Ranch, which is about five miles away at 12501 Honore Ave.

[wondermint2]

Renovated pool on schedule at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-country-club/

If all goes according to schedule, members at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club will be getting a renovated pool for Christmas.

Construction began over the summer and is expected to be completed by Dec. 1. According to Wayne Piazza, the club’s general manager, the new pool will better accommodate members since the makeup of the club’s membership has changed over the years.

“Way back in the day, we had a swim team that utilized the pool. We no longer have a need for them, but members will still have access to their swim lanes,” Piazza said.

The old liner pool is being replaced with a hard-shell pool. The project will cost over $2 million, a bill that won’t be passed onto members. Owner and operator of the club, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, is picking up the tab.