News Briefs

+ Tamiami property sells for $2.91 million
Leedom Management Group Inc. purchased its Sarasota headquarters, on Tamiami Trail, one block south of Siesta Drive, for $2.91 million.

The 1.1-acre property at 3700 S. Tamiami Trail features a two-story 14,457-square-foot building, which houses Leedom Management Group, and a vacant 2,128-square-foot vacant former bank building. The property previously sold for $1.2 million in 1993.

The automotive-focused consulting and training firm has leased the property from Fifth Third Bank since March 2008. It recently decided to execute its option to buy.

“We renovated and remodeled it three years ago,” says Chris Leedom, president and CEO of Leedom Management Group. “We feel it’s a good place to house the company headquarters … and that we plan to be there for quite some time. We have been kicking around leasing (the smaller building) to a bank. Short of that, we have no plans for it.”

The 12-year-old Sarasota company has grown from four employees to 45 employees. Leedom Management Group mortgaged the property through Synovus Bank of Florida for $2.6 million.

+ Bird walks to be held at Oscar Scherer Park
Every Thursday through April, a bird walk will be held at Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail.
The bird walks start at 8:30 a.m. inside the park at Lake Osprey/Nature Center. On the walk, participants will search for Florida scrub jays, bobwhites and other pine flatwood species.

Meetings & Agendas
• Alta Vista Neighborhood Association meeting — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, Concordia Lutheran Church, 2185 Wood St., Sarasota
• Community Workshop, Homes of Laurel Park project — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, City Hall, Room 212, 1565 First St., Sarasota
• Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota
• St. Armands Neighborhood Association meeting — 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, St. Armands Fire Station, 47 N. Adams Drive, Sarasota