Sarasota Livin'

Michael Saunders files 16-story headquarters plans

The larger of the two buildings, which will be connected by four levels of retail space and a six-deck parking garage, will rise 16 floors and 180 feet.

The smaller, which will house Saunders' consolidated real estate offices, will be 12 stories and at the corner of Orange Avenue and Laurel Street, according to plans filed last week.

In response to concerns from the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association, whose members' homes will abut the $60 million project, Saunders also intends to build six townhomes on the perimeter of the property. The project will be bounded by Orange and Rawls avenues and Laurel and Morrill streets.

"We've tried to be sensitive to the neighborhood, so we're going to wrap the larger buildings with townhomes," said Michael Saunders, the company's president and founder.

100 Central successfully leases street level retail!!

SARASOTA -- A first-time furniture store, an established Sarasota restaurant and one of the world's most recognizable chains will be among the tenants in the 100 Central project under construction around First Street and Central Avenue in downtown Sarasota.

A dozen businesses have signed on to fill out the 24,000 square feet of retail space that wraps around the first floor of the building, leaving one prime spot still open at the corner of Second Street and Central.

Some stores are shooting for fall openings, and all are expected to be open by the holidays.

Picture of the new shopping street ... it's almost done...

Affordable Housing Plans for Payne Park

Burks intends to file formal plans in August. Scotty's closed its School Avenue store after filing bankruptcy in September 2004.

Meanwhile, Ringling Center owner Louis Doyle said he is considering revamping his 9.7-acre commercial strip, anchored by a Publix supermarket and an LTM Party Store.

"The building is 50 years old, over 50, actually, and it's reaching its senior years," Doyle said, adding that it would be "substantially torn down" if plans are approved.

And while Doyle took pains to say his plan was separate from Burks', city officials seem hopeful that the twain shall meet.

"There are so many wonderful possibilities here," said Harvey Hoglund, a Sarasota senior planner. "This has all kinds of promise."

Combined, the two sites would be nearly half as large as the 40-acre park.

Nearby residents will get their first look at Burks' plans on July 19, during a meeting at Sarasota City Hall. Neighbors will get a sneak peek at the Ringling Center concept at a required meeting on July 25, also at City Hall.

View of old industrial buildings that will become "affordable housing" soon .. I hope it will be a great place to live.. next to payne park and a view of downtown..



and walking close shopping ... current view of Ringling Center ... just to the east

And in Bradenton...

BRADENTON -- The city hopes to capitalize on the high demand for housing in Bradenton to turn around a blighted stretch of the Tamiami Trail.

New urban-style housing for young professionals is the centerpiece of a strategy designed to revitalize 14th Street West, now known for homelessness and crime.

A report unveiled this week estimates 20,000 Manatee County residents would prefer to live in a more urban setting -- a type of housing virtually nonexistent in the market.

City officials hope to attract condo developers with prices starting at around $150,000. The proposed housing would play a key role in a strategy that also includes incentives for developers, new land-use districts, extended cross streets, public plazas, retail shops and royal palm trees.

Thanks Sarasota Herald Tribune ....