A three-way merger between the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA), the Palm Avenue Merchants Association and the Downtown Partnership will now be just a two-way merger between the DMA and the Palm Avenue Merchants Association.

Four months of negotiations between the three groups ended Sept. 9.

“We believe, at this time, the strategy and the vision of the DMA is not in line with the Downtown Partnership,” said Wendy Getchell, DMA president, in a press release.

Getchell said the two-way merger will result in expanded membership of the DMA and will now include members of the arts community, restaurant owners, religious institutions and downtown professionals.

Getchell believes the larger group will be able to have stronger event planning and promotion, which will help the growth of downtown Sarasota.

Contact Robin Roy at rroy@yourobserver.com.

 

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