WHAT'S HAPPENING: Main plaza brainstorm, county eyes Osprey parcel

“Quite honestly, I think it could go either way. There’s only one way to find out.” — City Attorney Robert Fournier, on the city's new sign regulations

Readers pitch ideas for Hollywood 20 redevelopment

As the three entrepreneurs behind the recent $18.1 million purchase of the Hollywood 20 complex on Main Street search for an architectural team to oversee redevelopment, some creative Sarasota residents have ideas of their own.

The Sarasota Observer received dozens of responses to a survey asking what residents want to see developed at the parcel, which sits at the northwest intersection of Main Street and North Washington Boulevard.

Here are some of those ideas, edited for length and content:

“Dave & Buster’s and a central destination restaurant option like Bobby Flay’s MESA. An iconic tourist destination or structure for the city, such as the tallest viewing tower, or some sort of ride or entertainment.”

— Kent Hayes

“Some type of museum or aquarium.  It could be something that merges the Sailor Circus with the Ringling and Wallenda history ...
A ferris wheel!”

— John Schroeder

“It would be amazing to have a proper live music venue.”

— Ivana Njegomir

“Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. A cool restaurant — not a chain. Simple, but with lots of character like Harvey’s 4th Street Grill in St. Petersburg.”

— Mark Troy

“Affordable condos for young entrepreneurs!”

— Joey Daskalides

BY THE NUMBERS,

6,
Benches removed nearly five years ago from Five Points Park. Sarasota city commissioners voted to replace an undetermined number Monday. 

80,
Choir members in FirstSarasota Baptist Church’s Singing Christmas Tree Sunday. See page 14A

$2,
Gas prices for the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice metropolitan area — the lowest in 10 months. Read more at
YourObserver.com.

8,
Trees the Siesta Isles Association won permission to remove or relocate from the public right of way as part of its $40,000 entranceway improvement project. 

Sarasota County eyes bayfront property for park

Sarasota County could bid on more than 5 acres of bayfront property that was once slated for an ambitious hotel and marina project for a park.

County commissioners authorized staff at their Dec. 8 meeting to bid on six Osprey parcels, two of which are waterfront properties, through the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. The Sarasota County Property Appraiser estimates the value of the parcels at $2.47 million.

A court-authorized auction will be held to settle debts held by Osprey Village Development Corp., which purchased the parcels in October 2007 for $3.96 million.

MEETINGS

Special City Commission meeting — 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Traffic Advisory Council meeting — 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Commission Chambers, Sarasota County Administration building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.