Longboat arts center demolition begins

That’s it for a north end landmark.

Demolition of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts is underway. The facility, which opened in 1952 and closed in May, was purchased from Ringling College of Art and Design by developer Jim Clabaugh for $1.85 million.

Clabaugh said he intends to build 12 single-family homes on the 2.3-acre Longbeach Village site.

On July 11, the town issued a $51,900 construction permit to Grabers Excavating Inc. to demolish four buildings on the property.

Meanwhile, Michael Drake, president of the Longboat Key Historical Society, is working to relocate two cottages, which were once part of the Whitney Resort, from the site to 521 Broadway St. Drake plans to make the cottages a base for the Historical Society.

The organization aims to raise $100,000 to move the cottages and secure them on foundations at the new location, then another $450,000 to ultimately acquire the property.

Drake expects to have the cottages moved to 521 Broadway St. within the next several weeks.