Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Developers avoid court costs, leaving Sarasota taxpayers with the bill in Siesta Key suit

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...1663d8a1&ei=23

An effort by Siesta Key resident Lourdes Ramirez to force hotel developers to pay part of her legal fees in her successful lawsuit against Sarasota County was rejected by a circuit judge, leaving county taxpayers on the hook for a bill that could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Sarasota Circuit Judge Hunter W. Carroll allowed the hotel developers to intervene in the case soon after Ramirez sued the county in 2021 after the County Commission removed a hotel size cap on the barrier island that would have paved the way for the first hotel development on Siesta Key in decades.

That status allowed the developers' attorneys to file motions, participate in depositions and request documents — all actions that Ramirez argued increased the costs in an already expensive two-year legal battle.

"There was a huge cost associated with the case that now falls on the county taxpayer to unfairly pick up," Ramirez told the Herald-Tribune.

Also, when the developers entered the suit, they put Ramirez on notice that if they prevailed she would be required to pay their fees. The judge did not weigh in on that assertion, but did rule earlier this month that the intervenors would not be liable for court costs given their secondary status in the case.

Ramirez's lawsuit accused the County Commission of violating longstanding growth policies that limited increasing development density or intensity on the barrier island, with the judge siding with Ramirez in October.

[wondermint2]

'Take Care of Maya' verdict raises questions for child healthcare providers

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...1663d8a1&ei=38

In what could be considered a historic verdict with the potential for a significant impact on hospitals and mandatory child abuse reporters across the nation, a jury awarded a Venice family more than $261 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Throughout the two-month-long trial, the defense for the hospital emphasized support for mandatory reporters and hospital staff, saying they worried about the “chilling effect” the case could have.

In Florida, according to statutes, any individual who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned or neglected by their parent or guardian is a mandatory reporter. At the professional level, law enforcement, healthcare providers, teachers, social workers and mediators are mandated to report any suspicions of child abuse.

Other experts also worried about how the verdict could impact healthcare providers across the nation, with one nursing and criminalistics professor from California State University concerned the verdict could further complicate an already under-reported issue.

[wondermint2]

Local restaurants coming to SRQ Airport

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...1663d8a1&ei=45

Local restaurants like Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Mattison’s Grille, Patrick’s 1481, and others will be opening at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of SRQ, said the current concession agreements expire in a year that run all the restaurant and retail operations.

“Patrick’s and Anna Maria Oyster bar will be located in the new ground boarding terminal, that’s due to open in December of 24, and Mattison’s will be in terminal B in the main terminal here. In addition, with things like Rise and Nyes coffee as well as the national brands like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts,” said Piccolo.

With the new agreements, Piccolo said the airport wanted more local participation so the community can grow with the airport.

“It exposes people to those brands that are already in the community while they are at the airport. They get a chance to sample them. Maybe it brings them back to that business later as well so that they patronize our facilities and patronize our local businesses,” said Piccolo.

[wondermint2]

Legacy Trail: Progress made on overpasses; City plans Bobby Jones connector meeting

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/le...1663d8a1&ei=52

Sarasota County commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve budget changes so Legacy Trail overpasses can be built over Bahia Vista Street and Beneva Road.

There are five separate votes but only one public hearing – to appropriate $221,688 in project management funding from park impact fees for each of the two overpasses. Florida Department of Transportation grant funds will cover the estimated $2 million construction cost of each overpass.

The commission meets at 9 a.m. at the Robert L Anderson Administration Center, 3000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

That overpass vote is one of several developments affecting the popular recreational trail, including the state Department of Transportation starting construction on overpasses for Bee Ridge and Clark roads, and the city of Sarasota hosted in-person stakeholder community meetings Dec. 12-14 about the Legacy Trail extension to Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park.

[wondermint2]

Light Up Manatee begins brightening neighborhoods

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/li...1663d8a1&ei=58

Manatee County is rolling out the Light Up Manatee initiative with an initial installation of dozens of lights in the neighborhood east of U.S. 41 between Lincoln Aquatic Center and Washington Park.

The public-private partnership is part of an effort to enhance safety and security by brightening roadways, streets and pedestrian paths with state-of the art ligthing.

The initial phases of this program will bring additional lights to neighborhoods in Districts Two, Three and Four.

In addition to the neighborhood enhancements, the efficiency of LED lighting has been proven to bring about significant cost savings. By going to the Light Up Manatee HUB site users can discover more about the program and find answers to frequently asked questions about how this initiative impacts them and their neighborhood, as well as other important data.

Light Up Manatee HUB site:

https://light-up-manatee-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com/

[wondermint2]

New College board approves terms for a major land deal with the SRQ airport (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...ba5f2619&ei=45

New College of Florida inked a preliminary agreement for a major land purchase from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Monday, and the college is now preparing its pitch to state legislators for millions of dollars in investment for campus improvements.

The college will purchase 30.94 acres of land leased from the airport at below market rate since 1957. The 99-year lease was grandfathered into place when the Federal Aviation Administration changed laws to require airport land to be leased at market-rate value.

If a long-term agreement is not reached, and the terms of New College's current lease expire, the college could face a major rent hike and run the risk of losing ownership of all campus buildings located on airport property if the land reverts to airport ownership.

"I've tried for many, many, years to warn the college about what was on the horizon if this issue wasn't addressed," airport CEO Rick Piccolo said. "We think this is a fair deal. One that has appraisals behind it. We think that it's a good win-win for the airport, for the college, and most importantly the community."

[wondermint2]

Tidewell Foundation puts Longboat office building on market for $3M

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ing-on-market/

After a recent business merger, the Tidewell Foundation and parent company Empath Health have decided the Longboat Key location no longer fits their desired business model.

Currently, the building at 540 Bay Isles Road is listed for $3.1 million by Ian Black Real Estate.

The property is over 8,000 square feet and about 30 years old. It was previously purchased in 2019 by SCATA Real Estate LLC for $1.75 million.

SCATA Real Estate LLC was the real estate arm for Stratum Health System, the former parent company of the Tidewell Foundation.

At the time of the sale, The Paradise Center worked with Tidewell to create the vision of the now-established medical hub that occupies the space.

Currently, the Longboat Key location at 540 Bay Isles Road houses tenants such as The Paradise Center, Fitness Quest Longboat Key, Bee Ridge Chiropractic, Doc Side Audiology and the office of Dr. Daren Spinelle.

What’s next?

The Paradise Center’s lease extends until mid-2025, like many of the other leases in the building.

“So on the one hand, we’ve got some time. But on the other hand, time flies and it’ll be here before we know it,” Brenner said.

With recent stock market activity Brenner said she hopes an investor will look at the property as an investment.

“A real estate holding that is fully leased is not a bad investment,” Brenner said.

[wondermint2]

Bradenton Beach CRA throwing tram into permanent park

For full article:

https://www.islander.org/2023/12/bra...ermanent-park/

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency board voted Dec. 6 to terminate its contract for the Old Town Tram service.

CRA members were following up on their September promise to reevaluate the tram contract with Old Town Tram, which began operation in 2020 and was meant to shuttle people between parking lots at Coquina and Cortez beaches and the CRA district, where parking is limited.

The district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.

The service, operated by EZ Parking Group, consists of two free-to-ride shuttles funded with CRA money and advertising on vehicle signage.

[wondermint2]

BB green lights Bridge Street resort-restaurant-retail project

For full article:

https://www.islander.org/2023/12/bb-...etail-project/

Bradenton Beach commissioners approved a planned development Dec. 7 that paves the way for a 106-room resort on Bridge Street.

The approval came with a series of stipulations presented by city staff, commissioners and planning and zoning board members and agreed upon by the applicant, a group that includes island developer Shawn Kaleta and City Commissioner Jake Spooner, a Bridge Street businessman.

The vote — 4-0 with Spooner abstaining — sets into motion the next phase of development for the resort partners.

City building official Steve Gilbert outlined that next phase in a Dec. 8 email to The Islander: “The next step will be for the city attorney to draft the ‘order of approval,’ … (and) bring the package back to commission for final approval of the site plan, the concept plan and the stipulations and conditions.”

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County Property appraiser says taxes right despite square footage of home being inflated


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2enYenxKXBA

These days, Florida homeowners are getting hit from all sides with rising mortgage rates, skyrocketing insurance premiums and increased fees. But what about your property taxes?

One man turned to 8 On Your Side Investigator Mahsa Saeidi, convinced his parents overpaid on their taxes, for decades. The local property appraiser admits his office made a mistake, but he says it didn’t impact the tax bill.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...ba5f2619&ei=64