News Briefs

+ Bayfront group works to refine principles
After gathering hundreds of pages of feedback — and as it prepares to receive more input at additional meetings next month — the leaders of Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 are eying the group’s next steps, including a workshop with city officials slated for January.

At a stakeholder meeting Monday, Bayfront 20:20 leaders worked to refine the group’s core principles, a list of community values meant to guide the development of 42 acres of city-owned bayfront land. With the city’s backing, Bayfront 20:20 has assembled a variety of community organizations to help produce a vision for the bayfront area surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

One tension that arose at Monday's meeting was the degree to which those principles should emphasize the city’s cultural assets. Michael Klauber, chairman of the Visit Sarasota County board and leader of the Bayfront 20:20 group, said feedback from residents indicated a desire for a greater focus on making the bayfront land a hub for cultural institutions such as the Sarasota Orchestra and the Van Wezel.

Some of the leaders embraced the increased focus on cultural institutions, but others worried whether that would negatively impact the ability to establish some public parkland along the bayfront.

Klauber said January’s meeting would give officials a chance to catch up on the work of Bayfront 20:20 and provide direction to the organization’s leaders going forward.

+ Downtown Sarasota attracts more nightlife options
Entrepreneur Jesse Biter’s vision for a more vibrant downtown Sarasota continues to take shape as another bar prepares to open on Main Street.

Owners of the Paddy Wagon Irish Pub have asked the city to allow the use of a liquor license in the space between Pho Cali and Drunken Poet Cafe on the 1500 block of Main Street, in a building Biter purchased for $2 million in 2012. The Irish-themed bar, which has another location on Clark Road, aims to open this summer.

“We’re an upscale, new-millennium take on the neighborhood bar,” said owner Tom Elliott.
Elliott, who already owns eight Paddy Wagon locations and more than 20 concepts in total, is no stranger to downtown. As the former owner of Smokin’ Joe’s, he said his new site on Main Street is far enough away from residential developments that problems arising from their proximity shouldn’t be an issue.

“It’s a trophy property for us,” Elliott said. “It’s a chance to showcase to our customers and franchisees the vision we have for Paddy Wagon.”
The city will host a community workshop to consider the bar’s request at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, at City Hall, in conference room 112.

Meetings & agendas
Community Workshop — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Conference Room 112, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Sarasota County Planning Commission meeting — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Commission Chambers, Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.