News Briefs

+ Downtown McDonald’s is demolished
Last week, Oak Brook, Ill.,-based McDonald’s Corp. demolished a downtown Sarasota McDonald’s at 787 S. Washington Blvd. The teardown and rebuild is part of a complete remodel of the McDonald’s.

City of Sarasota building permit comments note the number of seats in the restaurant is being reduced from 85 to 64.

McDonald’s officials did not return phone calls seeking comment, but the company’s website reported the new store will be razed and in operation by Aug. 31.

“Our remodeled restaurant will feature a more inviting exterior, landscaping that complements our community, an interior with comfortable lighting and contemporary color schemes that reflect the personality,” the website states.

+ A third appraisal sought for hotel site
Sarasota city commissioners directed Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown at their Monday, June 18 regular meeting, to have a third appraisal performed on the city’s Palm Avenue hotel site.

Commissioners want to make sure the last appraisal was accurate before proceeding with negotiations with Floridays Development Co., which was selected to build a 180-room hotel on the site and has agreed to pay the appraisal price for the property next to the Palm Avenue parking garage.

The most recent appraisal came in at $2.1 million. The original appraisal price was $3.4 million.

Meetings & Agendas
• Towles Court Artist Association Meeting — 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, Le Café Du Jardin, 238 S. Links Ave., Sarasota.
• Alta Vista Neighborhood Association Meeting — 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, Concordia Lutheran Church, 2185 Wood St., Sarasota.
• Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association Meeting — 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, Gillespie Police Substation, 710 Osprey Ave., Sarasota.