Plans for 1660 Ringling property face city scrutiny

A relatively light agenda for the Monday meeting of the Sarasota City Commission is topped by two public hearings to address Benderson Development’s plans to convert the former Sarasota County Administration Center into a mixed-use commercial building.

Benderson, in a legislative public hearing, is seeking a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the Future Land Use Map classification of 1 acre at 1660 Ringling Boulevard from Urban Edge to Downtown Core. That precedes a quasi-judicial hearing to then rezone that 1 acre from Downton Edge to Downtown Core. 

The property is currently non-conforming to the city’s zoning code, as its prior use by Sarasota County was grandfathered when the code was rewritten in 2005. The change would allow Benderson to expand the footprint and raise the building up to 10 stories, with plans to convert it into Class A office with street level retail and commercial space.

For the time being, Benderson Director of Real Estate Investment Todd Mathes said the company plans to refresh the surface parking lots surrounding the building and across Morrill Street to serve the office and commercial uses. Some of that property could be developed as residential in the future. The property, including parking and the current building, covers 2.88 acres.

Benderson purchased the property from Sarasota County in 2021 for $25 million.

There is also a budget amendment on the consent agenda to establish revenue and expense lines within the Van Wezel Capital Fund for $3.5 million. On June 15 the city entered into a grant agreement with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection to receive the funds. No city match is required.

The money is meant to complete pre-construction and construction activities for flood mitigation improvements to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Later this month, the commission and city staff will revisit efforts to make the Parking Division, which is an enterprise fund, truly self-sustaining. During its Aug. 3 meeting, the commission rescinded changes to parking enforcement hours that went into effect July 1 after receiving numerous complaints from downtown businesses. 

A City Commission workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 31 at Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First St. The workshop may be viewed online at sarasotafl.gov or on the city’s Facebook page. An open house is also scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at City Hall.