Rosemary projects a work in progress

If you’re concerned about the blank-face concrete structures being built in the Rosemary District, the developers want you to rest assured that the final product is supposed to look quite different.

The downtown-adjacent neighborhood, located north of Fruitville Road, is going through a building boom. 

More than 1,000 residential units are in development, but Rosemary District Neighborhood Association President Michael Bush said two projects have drawn a specific type of reaction from residents and business owners.

One project, Urban Flats, is located at 1401 Fruitville Road and will include 228 apartments. The other, Elan Rosemary, will include 286 apartments. 

Right now, both sites have large gray buildings and not much else.

As a result, there has been some concern in the neighborhood about what those developments will look like when construction is complete. But a quick examination of the plans shows the projects are supposed to include more detailed architecture facing the sidewalks.

The concrete buildings the public can see now are parking garages. Eventually, another building will be constructed to mask those structures from the street. Phillip Smith, president of Sarasota Flats developer Framework Group, confirmed the apartments will be built in front of the garage.

“I could understand how seeing that wall could be a little alarming!” Smith wrote in an email.

Bush has done his best to temper the concern when others ask about the developments, passing along assurances that the projects will be of a high quality.

“It’s a different approach, but don’t lose faith,” Bush said. “It’s fine — it’s not going to be these ugly structures.”

In general, Bush is excited about the construction underway in the Rosemary District. In addition to the work that is ongoing, Bush has also met with developers who have filed plans to build in the neighborhood. 

“I think we’re going to see a wave, and then another wave, and then a third wave after that.” — Michael Bush

Based on the response he’s seen, he doesn’t think the growth will stop anytime soon.

“It’s not just about the structures that have come out of the ground right now, but it’s also what’s in the queue,” Bush said. “I think we’re going to see a wave, and then another wave, and then a third wave after that.”

The growth does come with some challenges — after all, the neighborhood wasn’t designed for the number of residents now slated to move in. Rosemary District stakeholders are preparing to deal with those challenges, forming a committee whose task is to plan for future needs.

“We’ve got a combination of businesses, property owners, residents and nonprofits,” Bush said. “That’s going to bring together the thoughts and interests of all of these different constituents to create a formula and plan for the future direction of the Rosemary District.”