News Briefs

+ Whole Foods building sells for $19.1 million
A Daytona Beach real estate firm is betting on a bright future for downtown Sarasota with the purchase of Whole Foods Market Centre.

Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. bought the 59,000-square-foot retail center for $19.1 million, according to a news release. Whole Foods has another 10 years left on its lease, but the other 23,000 square feet of retail space will allow the company to increase its return on investment as downtown Sarasota grows, Consolidated-Tomoka President and CEO John Albright said.

The other tenants, which include Starbucks, have less than three years remaining on their leases on average. The property also includes a parking garage; it sits adjacent to parcels slated for a 180-unit apartment complex.

The project’s original developer, Casto Southeast Realty Services, will remain as the property manager overseeing leasing.

+ Benderson buys space in Southgate Mall
Benderson Development Co. closed Friday on a 7.5-acre parcel, owned by Dillard’s, at Southgate Mall. The company spent $10 million on the property.

Benderson’s director of development, Todd Mathes, is waiting to see Southgate’s redevelopment plans before deciding what to do with the parcel.

“We’re pretty excited about the opportunity and to co-redevelop the property,” Mathes said. “As soon as (the mall is ready with its plan), we’ll be ready to react.”

The store could be leased to one tenant or subdivided, he said.

The prolific developer, which is part of the team behind the Mall at University Town Center, also bought office space near Pelican Plaza, which it is also currently redeveloping. A Benderson-managed firm spent $1.1 million on the parcel at South Tamiami Trail and Marcia Street.

+ FDOT pitches Stickney Point Bridge repairs
The 46-year-old Stickney Point Bridge has about four years left in its lifespan, but the Florida Department of Transportation aims to add at least another 10 years with $4 million in repairs.

Sarasota County commissioners heard a presentation Tuesday from FDOT about the project, which the state expects to begin after Easter and be completed before the start of the season in fall 2015. Without the rehabilitation, the moveable bridges will continue to deteriorate due to an “extremely aggressive” coastal environment, according to the staff presentation.

FDOT will require nightly lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., similar to when the state revamped the Siesta Key north bridge in summer 2012.

“I live on Siesta Key, and when you did the repairs to the north bridge your contractor was fantastic about managing the traffic,” said Commissioner Nora Patterson. “I had all kinds of comments about how well it was managed.”

Meetings & agendas
Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations meeting — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota.

Sarasota County Commission workshop — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, Think Tank, Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.