In Brief

+ More problems in sally port construction
Because of a fourth round of unforeseen problems, county commissioners approved more funding for the construction of the new jail booking facility, known as the sally port.

The original $3.8 million contract with Kraft Construction has now more than doubled to $7.8 million.
County commissioners approved the fourth amendment to that contract Sept. 22, which calls for an additional $240,000 to correct problems with floor drains, chiller pumps and other items.

Larry Arnold, the county’s community services executive director, said because the building was constructed three previous times, in 1972, 1985 and 2000, some of the construction did not meet current building-code standards.

+ Merged merchants group elects officers
The newly merged Downtown Merchants Association and Palm Avenue Merchants Association have elected their officers and board members.

Wendy Getchell, owner of Lotus and current president of the Downtown Merchants Association, was elected president of the merged group.

Eileen Hampshire, owner of Art to Walk On and current president of the Palm Avenue Merchants Association, was elected vice president.

The treasurer is Monique Joannette, a certified public accountant from CS&L CPAs.

Eileen Wallace, owner of Write On Sarasota, is the group’s secretary.

The 11-member board will consist of four merchants, two commercial-property owners, two professional-service representatives, one owner of a restaurant or hospitality business, one arts-community representative and one downtown resident.

The elected board members includes the four officers above, plus Mary Anne Servian, former mayor and current downtown resident; John Simon, Pineapple Square developer; Brenda Terris, Season of Sculpture executive director; Forrest Shaw, Pastry Art owner; Vanessa Opstal, Simply Spoiled Boutique owner; Hank Goldsby, president and COO of First America Bank; and another commercial-property owner to be named later.

Because more than half of the board is not merchants, its members will select a new name for the organization next week that better reflects its diverse membership.

+ Five Points Park surveillance camera purchased
The Downtown Improvement District (DID) purchased the city’s first surveillance camera to be used with the police department’s new wireless surveillance system.

The camera, which has pan, tilt and night-vision functions, cost $13,685 and will be placed in Five Points Park.

The new camera ties into the wireless system the Sarasota Police Department is currently installing for $208,000. Its hope is that the city will eventually acquire more cameras.

The vendor, Let’s Think Wireless, is also providing two temporary cameras, which will be installed at Main Street and Lemon Avenue.