- April 19, 2024
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Following delays, State Street garage completion scheduled for July
More than four months have elapsed since the original targeted completion date for a portion of the State Street parking garage, but city staff believes the end is finally in sight.
City staff first believed a substantial segment of the garage would be completed in February. By January, that date was pushed to late March. It then moved to mid-May, then late-May, and most recently, mid-June following a variety of delays. Now — after encountering problems with utilities during construction this month — the partial completion of the garage has been pushed back yet again.
Still, the city believes the project should be wrapped up in just a few weeks. According to city Chief Planner Steve Stancel, those utilities issues are resolved now, and he expects the entire garage to be open by July 3.
"There will still be some things ongoing — landscaping, painting, trim — but those are minor things," Stancel said. "The garage itself should be complete."
Stancel said the contract for the totality of work on the garage runs through July 12. Once completed, the garage will provide 395 parking spaces for downtown Sarasota.
Briefs
Sarasota County budget set to fall 6%
While Sarasota County is set to add more than 100 new employees in the next fiscal year, its overall budget is slated to fall nearly 6%. If approved, it will be the first time the county’s budget has decreased since the 2012 fiscal year.
Commissioners met for a budget workshop Wednesday to discuss the $1.08 billion preliminary budget, which includes a 2% increase in operating spending and 5% more general fund expenditures than the previous year. The county aims to hold its millage rate steady at 3.39, which remains the second lowest rate in Florida.
County spokesman Jason Bartolone said the decrease is primarily due the county’s debt spending being $100 million less than the previous year. Financial staff negotiated lower rates on surtax, solid waste and utilities bonds for the coming fiscal year.
But, the county’s operating budget continues an upward trajectory it has followed since the 2011 fiscal year, with the parks, recreation and natural resources department planning for a 19% increase in operating costs and a 13% increase in its overall budget.
"The budget increased due to growing (capital improvement plan) operating impacts, expanded resources for Siesta Beach and a shift of maintenance costs at Benderson Park,” according to a staff presentation.
On the revenue side, staff expect impact fees to increase 48% to $19.9 million and property taxes to jump 7% to $149.9 million. Tourist development taxes, which have been on a steady incline, are expected to increase 8% to $18.2 million.
"Some would probably say the same thing to (homelessness consultant Robert) Marbut," — Doug Logan, city of Sarasota special initiatives director for chronic homeless issues, when asked his response to criticisms of his sports-management background.
SCOPE announces 2015 Boundary Crosser award recipient
SCOPE Board Chairman Rob Lane announced that Carolyn Johnson will be honored as the 2015 Boundary Crosser award recipient.
“Carolyn Johnson’s service to our community in so many areas exemplifies what the Boundary Crosser Award is all about,” said Tom Tryon, SCOPE incoming board chair, in a release.
Johnson has been involved locally through the Ringling College of Art and Design, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida, Big brothers and Big Sisters.
“Carolyn has invested her time, energy and talents on a broad range of community based initiatives and programs, connecting issues, people and service to enhance the quality of life in Sarasota. We are looking forward to honoring her accomplishments at our Annual Celebration in September,” said John McCarthy, executive director of SCOPE in a release.
Johnson will be honored and presented with the award at the SCOPE annual Celebration Sept. 8. Past Boundary Crosser honorees include Cathy Layton, Sandra Terry, Christine Jennings, Dr. Larry Thompson, Diane McFarlin, Pam Truitt, Dan Bailey, Isabel Norton, C.J. Fishman, Bob Richardson and Syd Adler.
One of the largest vacant properties in Southside Village could soon see new life, as two Bradenton-based medical business owners this month bought the building that previously house Sam Snead's American Grill for $4.1 million
Soothe Pharmacy owners Brad Long and Frank DeStefano this month bought the 42,250-square-foot building formerly occupied by Sam Snead's American Grill for $4.1 million, which is more than four times previous owner Brian Sullivan paid in 2002.
Longtime Morton's Gourmet Market co-owner Eddie Morton said he had heard pharmacy owners had purchased the site at 1830 S. Osprey Ave., but did not know of any potential tenants. The city of Sarasota doesn't have any building permits pending for the site.
We asked our Facebook followers what they would like to see at the location:
"If it were to stay a restaurant on the end, the neighborhood could surely use and support an awesome Mexican restaurant or excellent pizza joint. And for the other vacant units, please no more salons, nails or spa." — Knickole Barger, owner of Knick's Tavern and Grill
"Brewery would be fun! ... and a makeover of that facade. Not medical or pharmacy ... we need retail and restaurants!" — Erin Zolner, owner of Perq Coffee Bar
"Upscale live music venue!" — Susan Travers
