Benderson moves forward on Fruitville site

After a false start with plans for an industrial park south of the Fruitville Library, Benderson Development will move forward, starting with the construction of a linear park at its southern property boundary.

Benderson’s 41-acre property is located at the southeast intersection of Fruitville and Coburn roads. The 50-foot wide park will be immediately north of the Celery Fields, a more than 300-acre recreational and wildlife area. 

Benderson Director of Development Todd Mathes said construction of the park will start in September, as will construction on a street that will connect it directly to Fruitville Road. The park will have some shade trees and benches.

Benderson had designed the park last year and brought the concept forward while it was petitioning Sarasota County to rezone its land to build an industrial park. The overall project was denied.

Benderson may make minor modifications to the park plans, if any.

“We’re going to get those plans together rapidly and get it under construction,” Mathes said.

Per revised development requirements with Sarasota County, approved March 8, Benderson has committed to starting construction on three of the seven “blocks” within its property boundaries by September 2018.

Mathes said Benderson does not yet have specific plans for the site, but the company plans to comply completely with the vision outlined by county commissioners for the property. Benderson previously had asked to combine three of the “blocks” so it could build a truck distribution center, but that idea was denied in October.

“It’ll be a mix of uses,” Mathes said, noting entitlements for the entire property include 300 multi-family units, retail, office and industrial space. “We’re starting from ground zero, so to speak. We spent a year on the prior plan. We’re spending time now to see what fits. 

“Ultimately, it will be a mix of office and multi-family,” he said. “Wherever the market is, we’ll build first on those three parcels.”