20180105


FDOT remains concerned about lack of documentation in traffic studies for Siesta Promenade

Latest material submitted to Sarasota County also shows increased use of Pine Shores neighborhood for traffic associated with the proposed development

Almost exactly five months after Sarasota County staff notified Benderson Development Co. of a multitude of insufficiencies in the firm’s revised proposal for the mixed-use Siesta Promenade complex, Benderson responded to the county. However, based on copies of correspondence The Sarasota News Leader has obtained between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates of Tampa, Benderson has yet to provide all sought details about traffic projections for the project. (Read more »)

New City of Sarasota employee approved to assist with growing volume of building permits

City has set three consecutive records for number of permits issued per year

With the City of Sarasota having set records each of the past three years for the number of building permits it has issued, the director of the city’s Neighborhood and Development Services Department has won unanimous City Commission approval to hire a new employee to help out with the volume of work. (Read more »)

Square Foot Campaign for North Extension of Legacy Trail already has surpassed $25,000 mark

On Dec. 20, 2017, Sarasota County closed on first segment of route to downtown Sarasota

With Sarasota County having taken the first formal step to create the North Extension of The Legacy Trail, the volunteer Friends of the Legacy Trail organization has launched a creative fundraising campaign to help pay for the improvements needed to make the extension a reality. (Read more »)

County Commission facing how best to balance constituent needs with fiscal realities

Staff cautions that numbers will change, but early figures indicate a $7.7-million gap to fill in the 2019 fiscal year budget and an even higher hole for FY19

The Sarasota County Commission has entered 2018 in the uncommon position of needing to fill significant holes in its budgets for the next two fiscal years — a potential $7.7-million gap for FY19 and a hole as deep as $19 million-plus for the 2020 fiscal year. (Read more »)

Improvements to get underway soon at Municipal Auditorium in downtown Sarasota

Primary work to be restoration of windows to Art Deco style

Thanks to a unanimous Sarasota City Commission vote this week, work will begin soon to return the look of the Municipal Auditorium’s windows to their original 1940s Art Deco style and to repair water-damaged areas of the downtown Sarasota landmark. (Read more »)

EMS transports of homeless individuals in county inching back up, Fire Department records show

Overall statistics for October and November continue to show declines year-over-year

Emergency medical transports of homeless individuals have continued their year-over-year decline countywide, the latest reports from the Sarasota County Fire Department show. However, the double-digit drops recorded in the city of Sarasota earlier in the year ceased in November 2017. (Read more »)

Siesta Seen

Cosentino erects flagpole for ceremonies at 10 Beach Road and installs port-a-john that sparks controversy; demolition on hold for former Fandango site; DOAH hearing gets off to unexpected start; administrative law judge injects some levity into proceeding; Village sign suffers over New Year’s Eve; and St. Michael’s prepares for a big festival

At noon on Dec. 17, 2017, Siesta resident Mike Cosentino planned a ceremony to mark the installation of a new flagpole at the property he owns at 10 Beach Road. His goal, he told The Sarasota News Leader, was to begin holding the type of flag-lowering and raising ceremonies that the late Capt. Ralph Styles conducted for years at his North Beach Road home. (Read more »)

For a new year, a new addiction

Dollar stores offer a unique shopping experience

I have a new addiction — and this is a good one. I am obsessed with, cannot get enough of, the dollar stores. I absolutely love browsing their aisles, checking out new and exciting items I had not seen before and always asking myself that ubiquitous question when dollar stores are the topic, “How do they make a profit?” (Read more »)

Volunteer writing tutors needed at Gocio Elementary

Training sessions set for Jan. 10 and 12

Volunteer tutors are needed for a five-week writing program for fourth-graders who will be starting school this month at Gocio Elementary School in Sarasota, the Sarasota County School District has announced. No formal teaching or tutoring experience is required; “just an interest in helping students and a passion for language arts,” a news release says. (Read more »)

Benderson Park to be focus of next CONA meeting

Finances of rowing facility owned by Sarasota County to be major part of Jan. 8 discussion

On Monday, Jan. 8, the public is invited to join members of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) for dialogue led by Pat Rounds and Bill Zoller regarding Nathan Benderson Park, CONA has announced. (Read more »)

Fully leased University Station announces new openings

Second Sarasota Whole Foods to open on Jan. 31

Georgia-based commercial real estate development firm S.J. Collins Enterprises has fully leased University Station, a 53,746-square-foot commercial project that will be anchored by Sarasota’s second Whole Foods Market, the firm has announced. Whole Foods plans to open its new 41,000-square-foot store at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31. (Read more »)

Zurich-trained Jungian analyst to lecture and conduct workshop in Sarasota this month

Jan. 19-20 appearances by Dr. James Hollis sponsored by the C.G. Jung Society of Sarasota

Zurich-trained Jungian analyst Dr. James Hollis will discuss Living More Fully in the Shadow of Mortality during a Jan. 19 lecture at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sarasota, the C.G. Jung Society of Sarasota has announced. (Read more »)

‘Barefoot on the Beach’ to return to Nokomis with new name, time and themes this year

First of three monthly events set for Jan. 13

Barefoot on the Beach at Nokomis Beach Plaza “will be back this winter and better than ever, Sarasota County has announced. Formerly the Barefoot Beach Bazaar, the event has been revamped and moved to a new time. (Read more »)

Public invited to discover ‘Creation Stations’ at two of Sarasota County’s libraries

3D printers and sewing machines among equipment available

For rapid production of prototypes, pursuit of multimedia production, group collaboration and skills development for all ages, the public is invited to visit the Creation Stations” located in two of Sarasota County’s public libraries, the county has announced. (Read more »)

Legacy Trail surrey ride program to start again on Jan. 9

Friends of the Legacy Trail partners with Sarasota County staff to provide the free excursions, but pre-registration is required

The popular surrey ride program will be returning to The Legacy Trail starting Jan. 9, the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department has announced. County staff provides the program in partnership with Friends of the Legacy Trail (FLT), a news release explains. The surrey rides are “a fun option for residents and visitors who are mobility-challenged or might otherwise be unable to enjoy the experience of riding on the trail,” the release points out. (Read more »)