WHATS HAPPENING: Homeless shelter, affordable housing, CineBistro

“It’s an economic driver if you want to only have bars and honky tonks. If you want to have fine dining restaurants, if you want to have downtown theater and cultural events, if you want to have downtown residents, it doesn’t serve those purposes.” — Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman on the Thunder by the Bay Festival (Page 6A)

Affordable housing project moves forward

Harvey Vengroff is pushing forward with plans for a 404-unit apartment project on Fruitville Road.

The local entrepreneur, who maintains a portfolio of more than 1,500 residential units in the region, asked the city to conduct a traffic study as part of the planning process, according to a Dec. 23 contract. The city requires the planning study, which costs about $10,000, for a comprehensive plan amendment, which is needed for the development to proceed.

Vengroff estimates apartments will rent for $600 to $950 per month and will be spread throughout five six-story buildings at 2211 Fruitville Road, northeast of downtown. Vengroff needs the site reclassified as Downtown Core to allow the density and height, and he also seeks relaxed parking requirements.

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Sarasota County Director of Homeless Services Wayne Applebee said the county won't continue working on a homeless shelter unless asked to do so by the community, including the city, local businesses and residents.The county changed its stance on a proposed adult homeless shelter after the Sarasota County Commission deemed three proposed locations for a shelter were deemed ineligible at a Jan. 12 meeting.
Here's what our Facebook readers had to say about the decision: 

"The residents and businesses have always supported a shelter. What happened to the proposed Venice location? The fund should not be used for anything but a shelter." Denise Adele

"There may be hope the commissioners are listening to what the people want." Bob Nikla

"...Even those who want a shelter would probably say, "Not in my backyard." Timothy A. Kramar

"Build it !!!!!!" Kimberly Moore Marshall

BY THE NUMBERS

$11.5 million — The estimated cost of a future parking garage on St. Armands Circle. (Page 5A)

280 — Runners participated in the third Andrew Monroe Memorial 5K, held for the third year Jan. 9, in honor of Monroe, a Riverview High alumnae who died in 2011.

7 — Screens at the CineBistro scheduled to open in February at Westfield Southgate Mall. (WEB

MEETINGS

Sarasota County Charter Review Board meeting – 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice

Convocation of Governments – 9:15 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15, Conference Center, Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota

Special Meeting of the Downtown Improvement District – 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, SRQ Media Center, City Hall annex, 1565 First St., Sarasota