News Briefs

+ SMH’s MacKenzie honored in top hospital leaders list
Gwen MacKenzie, president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, has been named in Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Leaders of Great Hospitals of America.” The list was released May 20.

“As president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Ms. MacKenzie leads the only public hospital in Southwest Florida, named among the 50 best hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades in 2011,” the magazine’s list reads. “She previously worked for 25 years at Detroit Medical Center as an advanced practice oncology nurse and later as interim CEO of the system.”

+ Commissioners approve phase two of Gulf Gate Library
During its regular meeting May 21, the Sarasota County Commission approved a $7.7 million contract amendment for construction for phase two of the new Gulf Gate Library at the site of the existing library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Lakewood Ranch-based Willis A. Smith Construction Inc. will oversee and manage the building of the 25,800-square-foot, two-story library. Construction is expected to start in June and be completed in late summer 2014. 

Commissioners originally contracted with Willis A. Smith in June for preconstruction- management services during phase one of the project. The phase one contract was $65,000 and included reviews of design and construction elements, value engineering, preparation of project estimates, bidding assistance and construction administration.

The May 21 contract amendment includes a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction of the library. The infrastructure surtax (one-cent sales tax) and library impact fees will provide the funding for the construction of the new library. The library has been at the Curtiss Avenue site since 1983.

In February, Gulf Gate Library moved to temporary quarters at the southern end of the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail.

The new library will offer lending, reference and children and youth services; public access computers and wireless Internet access; informational and educational programs; automated book returns and sorting; and community gathering places, such as meeting rooms.

+ Quay property settlement reached in foreclosure lawsuit
A foreclosure lawsuit holding the city’s premier piece of vacant land in litigation was settled May 24.
A settlement was reached during the trial before 12th Circuit Court Judge Charles E. Williams.

The settlement marks an end to the longstanding dispute between lender Anglo Irish Bank Corp. and the previous owners, including Patrick Kelly, a Dublin developer, and partners.

Over the past few weeks, before the recent court hearing, a handful of investors and developers had shown informal interest in the property at the city’s planning department.

The Quay land, at 333 N. Tamami Trail, is considered one of the best tracts for development statewide, with bay views and close proximity to downtown and upscale hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

In March, West Palm Beach-based the Kolter Group submitted plans for a two-tower hotel and condo project just south at the corner of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

+ Correction
The Sarasota Observer attributed incorrect information in the May 23 edition to Marty Rappaport, chairman of the St. Armands Business Improvement District board, regarding the results of the St. Armands BID’s vote to extend the district’s existence. All landowners were given the opportunity to vote and were mailed ballots by the city. Thirty-three of the 65 ballots were returned to the city auditor.

Meetings & Agendas
• Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota City Development Review Committee (DRC) — 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, Room 112, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County Development Review Committee (DRC) — 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6, Conference Room 2, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota