News briefs

SCAT station on drawing board

While Benderson Development works to assure Sarasota County commissioners future expansions of the University Town Center project won’t come in advance of roadway improvements, the company also seeks to advance plans to construct a Sarasota County Area Transit station at the southeast corner of Desoto and Cattlemen roads.

Todd Mathes, director of development for Benderson, said plans are ready but must be approved by commissioners.

He hopes to bring the design and appropriate approvals before the board when Benderson presents its request to add a total 700,000 square feet of office and retail space to the southwest corner of I-75 and University Parkway.

Once approved, construction on the transit station could start within 60 days.

County plunges into water park negotiations

Manatee County is one step closer to adding a regional water park to its list of amenities. 

On May 5, Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker authorized staff to begin negotiations with Manatee Lost Lagoon Development, which proposes a 20-acre water park facility at Tom Bennett Park.

Hunzeker’s action proceeds with a recommendation from an evaluation board to continue with discussions of the project, which still will have to go through the public hearing process.

Beruff appointed to healthcare commission

Gov. Rick Scott has named Manatee County developer Carlos Beruff chairman of the newly created Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding.

The commission will “investigate the role of taxpayer funding for hospitals, insurers and health care providers,” Scott’s office wrote in a news release.

The Legislature failed to pass a budget during its regular session, largely due to the issue of health care funding. 

Beruff, whose company, Medallion Home, is responsible for building or finishing East County communities such as Cascades of Sarasota, Riva Trace and Country Meadows, will chair the nine-person committee.