Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...akewood-ranch/

A home in Riverdale Revised topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Carlos Beruff, trustee, and RR Five LLC sold the home at 632 Regatta Way to James Allen Matras, of Bradenton, for $4,525,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,806 square feet of living area.

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-1-5-longboat/

A home in Bay Isles tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Dominic and Elizabeth Zaccone sold their home at 541 Harbor Point Road to Pierre McCormick, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $7,712,800. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,852 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.49 million in 2021.

[wondermint2]

Dozens of speakers at Sarasota Co. School Board meeting call for Bridget Ziegler to step down


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YymdgwIynUo

There was a renewed push Tuesday night for the resignation of Sarasota County school board member Bridget Ziegler.

It was a heated meeting that lasted for hours. 67 speakers came forward and a majority of them asking for Ziegler to resign.

She did address the crowd after public comment but did not resign.

The public comment lasted for almost three hours.

“Bridget Ziegler shouldn’t resign because of who she slept with, they should resign because they’re a terrible person,” one speaker said.

“You’ve taken away my freedoms to be happy as a trans kid in school,” another speaker said while advocating for Ziegler’s resignation.

Emotions ran high at the packed school board meeting. Many people asked Ziegler why she hasn’t stepped down yet.

“Don’t you think that you owe us that at least? An apology for your lies, for your political theatre, for victimizing our children, for being a first-grade hypocrite, and for making Sarasota a national embarrassment,” one speaker said.

Some of those at the podium called on the entire board to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking for her removal.

Those who spoke against her all had one message: it’s time to go.

“Girl, your actions speak louder than words,” another speaker said. “Let’s rehash some of the things that you’ve done: you’ve enacted harmful policies that would now affect you, you unjustly terminated the supervisor, you fostered a hostile work environment for teachers, you’ve tarnished the reputation of Sarasota.”

Not every person in the room was asking for her to step down.

“They have targeted our most conservative board member, hoping to drive her out,” someone in favor of Ziegler remaining on the board said. “I hope she does not give in. We need her, she is the only one that has put children first.”

Ziegler let some emotions show during the meeting.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/do...wn/ar-AA1n6eXy

[wondermint2]

81-home rental development set for East Venice Avenue near Jacaranda Roundabout

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...ut/ar-AA1n4n4D

Marquesa Capital Partners a Fort Lauderdale-based development company, broke ground earlier this month on The Villas at Venice, an 81-unit cottage-style rental community just west of the Jacaranda Boulevard Roundabout.

Peter Olesiewicz, principal partner of Marquesa Capital Partners, said this week the company hopes to lease the one-, two-, and three-bedroom units by the summer of 2025.

While the development plans to offer market-rate rental options, Olesiewicz pointed to the recent volatility of the region’s rental market, while declining to state a target range.

“If you look at the market, at the peak of the post-COVID cycle, some of my competitors were leasing a one-bedroom for as high as $2,100 for a suburban garden-style fairly new one-bedroom apartment,” Olesiewicz said, adding, "That was the market for a a few months in the winter a couple years ago, and we’re hundreds of dollars off those now and probably have settled at a more healthier place, a bit more affordable.”

He attributed the decrease in rent to an increase in the available stock of apartments.

Area rents can still be challenge to many prospective tenants – an October 2023 study by Apartmentlist.com pointed to a 5.2% decrease in rents over a 12-month period, with an estimated median rent for a one-bedroom at $1,455, and $1,746 for a two-bedroom unit.

What will the development look like?

Marquesa Capital Partners targeted an unusual 8.8-acre triangular parcel at the northeast corner of South Clermont Road and East Venice Avenue. The eastern portion will include a retention pond and also features a grand tree with a trunk that measures 54 inches in diameter.

The main entrance will be off of Clermont Road.

Olesiewicz noted that the three-bedroom units have been pushed toward Venice Avenue with the one-bedroom and two-bedroom units closer to the neighboring developments, which include Enclaves of Venice North to the west and Venice Palms Phase 2 to the north.

Each home will have a private backyard, while the community amenities will include a pool, clubhouse, and dog park.

Olesiewicz refers to the community as horizontal or cottage style development. It can be best described as a variety of the build-to-rent single-family home communities that are being developed elsewhere in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“Each unit has its own backyard and a lot of the privacy and lower density you’d expect from a BTR (build-to-rent) community but at the same time, these are catering to an otherwise apartment renter,” Olesiewicz said, noting that the average size is approximately 925 square feet.

“Our goal is to provide a pretty unique housing option,” Olesiewicz said. “Something that feels like a home without coming with all the headaches of a home.”

The available density could have supported almost 144 units but Olesiewicz said they opted for a design that would mesh with the surrounding area and included more one-bedroom units that would rent for a lower, albeit market-rate, price point.

[wondermint2]

THE NEW SARASOTA - Is Sarasota Changing for Good?

Our region is becoming more populated, more conservative and more polarized, and many residents are wondering: Is it for the best?

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/new...nging-for-good

[wondermint2]

Reel Time: The re-making of Perico Preserve

For full article:

https://www.amisun.com/2024/01/16/re...rico-preserve/

Perico Preserve is a Manatee County jewel. But this gem wouldn’t have become a reality without the vision and determination of a few key individuals who captured the attention of and created opportunities for the citizens to make it a reality.

In 2007, Manatee County purchased the property and, under the leadership and direction of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, the Parks and Natural Resources Department began the process of restoring ecological function and making improvements to the site for passive public recreation.

After an intense process involving numerous local partners, the Perico Preserve Restoration Project showcases the high-quality results that can be achieved when local leadership and restoration practitioners commit to implementing a state-of-the-art restoration plan.

-------------------------------------------------

*The restoration of Perico Preserve is a story of transformation. The land has undergone significant changes from its original acquired state of farmland to the beautiful mix of habitats we see today. Featured at this site are the coastal wetlands expected in this area as well as carefully planned scrub hills and upland areas that hearken back to historical coastal Manatee County.
Park the Bikes and Leave the Dogs at Home

Perico

As the first preserve of its kind to be fully conceptualized as a bird sanctuary, this unique designation requires a slight adjustment for visitors. While dogs are welcome at many of our other sites, we ask that visitors leave their furry friends, with the exception of service dogs, at home when visiting Perico in order to provide the birds and wildlife with the greatest chance of success in breeding and rearing their young. Similarly, bikes will only be allowed on designated trails within the preserve. At key points, we ask that visitors leave their bikes behind to travel forth on foot, allowing the resident wildlife to maintain their natural behavior.

LOCATION
11700 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton FL 34209

HOURS
Perico Preserve is open daily, sunrise to sunset.

THINGS TO DO
Hiking
Biking (on some designated trails)
Bird Watching

https://www.mymanatee.org/department...eserves/perico

[wondermint2]

Dead malls: Sarasota Square Mall (Photo Gallery)

Completed in 1977, Sarasota Square Mall was the premier shopping destination in Sarasota County for 37 years.

For full article & photo gallery:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article...a-square-mall/

Today, only AMC Theatres, Costco and JCPenney are tenants remaining in business at Sarasota Square Mall. Covering one million square feet of total retail floor area, the rest of the shopping center is eerily vacant. However, it won’t be around much longer.

In 2023, Torburn Partners, a new owner, announced plans to demolish the shopping center. While AMC Theatres, Costco and JCPenney will remain as a part of the redevelopment, the rest of the property will become 1,200 apartments and as much as 500,000 square feet of restaurants, office space and retail stores.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota eatery Listed Among America's Best Late-Night Restaurants

For full article:

https://wiod.iheart.com/content/2024...t-restaurants/

Cheapism revealed the best restaurants that are open late in the United States. These establishments, which got high marks from local customers, range from delis and rustic diners to taverns and seafood joints.

Tamiami Tap is the sole restaurant representing the Sunshine State on the list! The spot hosts trivia nights throughout the week as well as live music events on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Drop by this coastal neighborhood bar until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and get a taste of its classic seasonal food," writers noted about the business. "The menu features items that locals expect, including fish tacos, burgers, beef sliders, and deviled eggs. Visitors applaud the staff for the friendly environment and great service."

You can find Tamiami Tap at 711 South Osprey Ave., #3 in Sarasota.

Check out the full list of America's best late-night restaurants on cheapism.com:

https://blog.cheapism.com/open-late-restaurants/

[wondermint2]

New legacy connector trails has runners 'thrilled'

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...nners-thrilled

NORTH PORT — The city of North Port has built multiple connectors to Sarasota County’s Legacy Trail since the trail was extended in Sept. 22, 2022.

The Legacy Trail is 18.5 miles now, connecting downtown Sarasota to Venice, with relatively new connectors to North Port.

The new links have active local residents excited for new, safe spots to put foot or tire to pavement.

Construction is still underway on a Legacy connector in North Port, featuring a boardwalk between Dallas White Park and North Port High School.

The finished segment, however, is at the west end of Price Boulevard, at 1045 Calera St.

When on the trail, one may see other cyclists and runners as well as a collection of Florida wildlife, including deer and wild turkey.

“We’re thrilled with the new trail,” said Jennifer Anderson, a local runner who helps oversee the North Port runners social media page. “No matter what you’re training for, there’s a mileage point for you.”

Along with the trail being accommodating for all levels of athletes also comes the fact that vehicles are not a risk. The stretch of pavement is situated away from crowds, tucked between palmettos and pine trees.

The connector trail’s distance from people also allows people to see rarer wildlife such as rattlesnakes and hogs, Anderson said.

“Honestly, the only negative I can think of is the lack of a bathroom and water fountain, the first bathroom on the trail is 5 miles in. I tracked it with my watch,” Anderson said.

She said she’s “only” run about 50 miles so far this year.

“But I think this trail will encourage people to get active. It’s great to see the city building things like this,” Anderson said.

For more information, visit:

https://www.friendsofthelegacytrail....nnector-route/

[wondermint2]

Tax assistance program opens Feb. 1

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...am-opens-feb-1

VENICE — The United Way of South Sarasota County's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is now accepting appointments.

VITA provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families in South Sarasota County who earned $74,000 or less in 2023.

Appointments are required because the number of volunteers at each site is limited. Tax preparation begins Feb. 1.

The VITA program is available at:

• United Way South Sarasota County Office, 4242 South Tamiami Trail, Venice, Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Englewood YMCA, 701 Medical Blvd., Englewood, by appointment

• North Port Family Service Center, 6919 Outreach Way, North Port, Thursdays 2-7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

You'll need to take these documents to your appointment: