By KEVIN L. McQUAID
Herald Tribune
SARASOTA - Casting aside future traffic concerns on U.S. 41 downtown, the City Commission on Monday narrowly voted to tap a never-before used local law that will allow the planned Proscenium project to proceed.
Lion's Gate Development has just released long-anticipated, exterior renderings for The Proscenium, a billion-dollar, mixed-use project in downtown Sarasota. Proposed for over six acres on two city blocks, The Proscenium boundaries are US41 and Cocoanut Avenue for west/east and Boulevard of the Arts and Fourth Street for north/south. It would include a luxury hotel such as the Waldorf Astoria.
In adopting plans for a Hospitality Regional Activity Center and a "proportional fair share agreement" for the planned $1 billion real estate development, commissioners opted for jobs and tax revenue over fears of congestion.
Proscenium, with office space and shops, more than 200 upscale condominiums and an 800-seat theater, is expected to generate roughly $2.8 million a year in property taxes and house more than 1,000 workers -- though many will likely come from existing office users -- when completed in 2011.
"This project is absolutely unique," said Commissioner Ken Shelin. "It's going to move us in a direction we've been saying we want to move downtown."
By designating the area an activity center, Proscenium -- an 18-story tower designed to be anchored by a 225-room, Waldorf-Astoria luxury hotel -- will avoid lengthy and costly state review.
Advocates for sending the Proscenium plans to the state said additional transportation analysis would be helpful, despite the anticipated $2 million cost to the developer.
With a proportionate fair share agreement -- a law adopted by the city in 2006 but never used -- city officials are waiving existing "concurrency" standards that measure roadway ability to absorb development.
The developer's $7.8 million in road improvements would fund only a fraction of a traffic consultant's estimated $43 million that will be needed in the wake of Proscenium's construction.
City staff did not outline where the balance of the money for the traffic improvements would come from.
In both the activity center and fair share votes, the commission approved proposals 3-2, with votes against cast by commissioners Richard Clapp and Kelly Kirschner, both of whom were elected on slow-growth platforms in response to waves of development and perceptions that developers received favoritism.
"My concern is the details we don't know," said Kirschner, adding he considers Proscenium a "great project." "I worry we're not going into this with eyes wide open in terms of financial feasibility."
Under the new rules, Proscenium developer Lion's Gate Development Group will pay $16 million -- $7.8 million for road and intersection improvements and $8.2 million to fund operation of a SCAT-operated downtown circulator -- to the city.
But in recommending the proportional fair share shift away from concurrency review, city officials acknowledged that traffic will increase.
"We're admitting traffic will get worse," said Susan Montgomery, a Sarasota traffic planner. "It has to; this is a big development on a crowded road."
Proscenium is expected to generate 17,000 new trips daily upon completion.
Under existing rules regarding traffic, the six-acre Proscenium would fail concurrency review. Without the fair share agreement, Proscenium would have to be scaled back by two-thirds.
Added to concerns is that much of the traffic improvements rely on unfunded, loosely planned mass transit.
Officials from both the city and Sarasota County acknowledged that the Lion's Gate contribution would not fund capital costs to buy buses, trolleys or other equipment.
Questions also remain over the size and placement of the hospitality center.
In addition, the commission unanimously approved a proposal that would allow Lion's Gate to shift some of the costs of infrastructure to eventual condo, office and retail shop owners.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Boston Red Sox Notice...
IMPORTANT NOTICE! It is crucial we have as many Citizens for Sox supporters at the meeting if we want the Sox to come to Sarasota. We are the only group that can rally the commissioner in favor of the Boston Red Sox, without our attendance our mission maybe unsucessful.
PLEASE ATTEND!
City of Sarasota Commission Meeting Monday, July 21, 2008 City Hall Sarasota 2:30-4:30 p.m.
First meeting at City Hall to discuss the Red Sox and the Ecomonic Analysis.
Sarasota County Commission Meeting-VENICE MEETING Tuesday, July 22, 2008
4000 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice 1:30 p.m.
NOTE: Sign up at City and County meetings to speak to the Commissioners
REMINDER: Downtown Farmer's Market Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Shop at the market and come by the Citizens for Sox Booth First Street Shops Sidewalk Sale
WHOLE FOODS HOSTS TAMPA BAY RAYS STREET TEAM 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
PLEASE ATTEND!
City of Sarasota Commission Meeting Monday, July 21, 2008 City Hall Sarasota 2:30-4:30 p.m.
First meeting at City Hall to discuss the Red Sox and the Ecomonic Analysis.
Sarasota County Commission Meeting-VENICE MEETING Tuesday, July 22, 2008
4000 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice 1:30 p.m.
NOTE: Sign up at City and County meetings to speak to the Commissioners
REMINDER: Downtown Farmer's Market Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Shop at the market and come by the Citizens for Sox Booth First Street Shops Sidewalk Sale
WHOLE FOODS HOSTS TAMPA BAY RAYS STREET TEAM 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Live-music lounge eyed for downtown
By Roger Drouin
Published Friday, June 27, 2008 - Herald Tirbune
SARASOTA — A downtown restaurant owner filed paperwork with the city to open a live-music lounge at The Plaza at Five Points in a space that sat vacant for about 10 months.
Alex Amaro, owner of Sangria Tapas Bar, and Stan Lee plan to spruce up 1413 Main St., the restaurant that housed The Grape wine bar until it closed its doors last October.
The new owners expect to open Five Points Lounge by the beginning of 2009, said planning consultant Pam Truitt.
Amaro and Lee filed paperwork for a permit Thursday morning. The permit process for opening a bar takes several months, and the City Commission has final say on the application. The city's planning board could review plans as soon as July.
Amaro said he came up with the idea for a live-music lounge after patrons at Sangria asked about places they could go after dinner to listen to live music.
Amaro, whose father ran a nightclub, is planning live blues and jazz music on weeknights, techno dance music on Fridays, Latin music on Saturdays and a comedy show on Sundays.
He said drink prices will be reasonable. "I'm not going to charge $14 for a martini," Amaro said.
The bar will be open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday, plans show.
The owners are expected to host live music inside the bar on some nights from 8 p.m. to midnight.
By Roger Drouin
Published Friday, June 27, 2008 - Herald Tirbune
SARASOTA — A downtown restaurant owner filed paperwork with the city to open a live-music lounge at The Plaza at Five Points in a space that sat vacant for about 10 months.
Alex Amaro, owner of Sangria Tapas Bar, and Stan Lee plan to spruce up 1413 Main St., the restaurant that housed The Grape wine bar until it closed its doors last October.
The new owners expect to open Five Points Lounge by the beginning of 2009, said planning consultant Pam Truitt.
Amaro and Lee filed paperwork for a permit Thursday morning. The permit process for opening a bar takes several months, and the City Commission has final say on the application. The city's planning board could review plans as soon as July.
Amaro said he came up with the idea for a live-music lounge after patrons at Sangria asked about places they could go after dinner to listen to live music.
Amaro, whose father ran a nightclub, is planning live blues and jazz music on weeknights, techno dance music on Fridays, Latin music on Saturdays and a comedy show on Sundays.
He said drink prices will be reasonable. "I'm not going to charge $14 for a martini," Amaro said.
The bar will be open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday, plans show.
The owners are expected to host live music inside the bar on some nights from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Mo's Pic of the Week
Rarely available 2 bedroom plus den condo with bay views in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Ceramic tile flooring installed on a diagonal expands the spacious feel. Stainless steel and granite kitchen in beautiful soft tones. Extra large terrace, with access from both the living room and master bedroom, is perfect for entertaining while watching the sun dip over the bay. Many upgrades and luxury appointments. 100 Central is adjacent to Whole Foods Market and offers superior amenities. The 2 parking spaces are adjacent to the entry door.
Truly a best buy.
News on the Quay
Herald Tribune
Kevin McQUAID
Published Friday, May 23, 2008
SARASOTA — The high-end condominium slide that has stalled projects throughout the state now appears to be biting Southwest Florida's most prominent project.
The owner of Sarasota Bayside said this week it will be at least 2012 before the first of four towers is completed at the $1 billion development.
Under its revised timetable, Irish American Management Services Ltd.'s first 18-story building at Bayside would not be finished until seven years after its originally scheduled date of completion.
Moreover, when tower one is eventually ready for people to move in, Irish American might have to charge hundreds of thousands of dollars more that it had planned for each condo. That extra cost could stem from large carrying costs for land and a redesign that may shave hundreds of residential units off the 700 that were approved in February 2007.
At the same time, Bayside could be facing stiff competition from new projects.
The Proscenium, a nearly $1 billion project planned for seven acres across U.S. 41 from Bayside, is slated to contain a 225-room Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, more than 200 luxury condos, 450,000 square feet of upscale office and retail space, and an 800-seat performing arts hall. If approved by the city later this year, it could open in 2011.
Last month, Longboat Key Club owner Loeb Partners Realty of New York unveiled plans to invest $500 million in its resort. Improvements there, beginning in 2009 and running through 2014, would include a new 222-room hotel; 261 new condominiums and nearly 32,000 square feet of meeting space; and a dramatically refurbished golf course.
Even without added competition, delays already have been costly to Bayside.
Patrick Kelly, Irish American's principal partner, said in a telephone interview this week that the region's real estate malaise has wiped out most of the millions of dollars of equity that the Dublin-based investment team injected into Bayside.
In all, Kelly and partners spent more than $100 million buying 15 waterfront acres along U.S. 41 that was home to the former Sarasota Quay, the El Vernona condos and the Belle Haven hotel.
"We plan to begin as soon as is practical," Kelly said. "That's our aim. But sales will have to precede any building."
Besides lost equity, the delay at Bayside is rippling throughout the project's development team.
HKR Architects Inc., the lead designer on Bayside, has shuttered its local office. The Dublin-based company had planned to use Bayside, and Sarasota, as a headquarters from which to build a U.S. design practice.
Instead, HKR now intends to design the 2.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use development from London, in conjunction with The ADP Group, a Sarasota architectural and land planning firm.
Before opening the Sarasota office in early 2007, HKR had done much of Bayside's design work from London.
Kevin McQUAID
Published Friday, May 23, 2008
SARASOTA — The high-end condominium slide that has stalled projects throughout the state now appears to be biting Southwest Florida's most prominent project.
The owner of Sarasota Bayside said this week it will be at least 2012 before the first of four towers is completed at the $1 billion development.
Under its revised timetable, Irish American Management Services Ltd.'s first 18-story building at Bayside would not be finished until seven years after its originally scheduled date of completion.
Moreover, when tower one is eventually ready for people to move in, Irish American might have to charge hundreds of thousands of dollars more that it had planned for each condo. That extra cost could stem from large carrying costs for land and a redesign that may shave hundreds of residential units off the 700 that were approved in February 2007.
At the same time, Bayside could be facing stiff competition from new projects.
The Proscenium, a nearly $1 billion project planned for seven acres across U.S. 41 from Bayside, is slated to contain a 225-room Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, more than 200 luxury condos, 450,000 square feet of upscale office and retail space, and an 800-seat performing arts hall. If approved by the city later this year, it could open in 2011.
Last month, Longboat Key Club owner Loeb Partners Realty of New York unveiled plans to invest $500 million in its resort. Improvements there, beginning in 2009 and running through 2014, would include a new 222-room hotel; 261 new condominiums and nearly 32,000 square feet of meeting space; and a dramatically refurbished golf course.
Even without added competition, delays already have been costly to Bayside.
Patrick Kelly, Irish American's principal partner, said in a telephone interview this week that the region's real estate malaise has wiped out most of the millions of dollars of equity that the Dublin-based investment team injected into Bayside.
In all, Kelly and partners spent more than $100 million buying 15 waterfront acres along U.S. 41 that was home to the former Sarasota Quay, the El Vernona condos and the Belle Haven hotel.
"We plan to begin as soon as is practical," Kelly said. "That's our aim. But sales will have to precede any building."
Besides lost equity, the delay at Bayside is rippling throughout the project's development team.
HKR Architects Inc., the lead designer on Bayside, has shuttered its local office. The Dublin-based company had planned to use Bayside, and Sarasota, as a headquarters from which to build a U.S. design practice.
Instead, HKR now intends to design the 2.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use development from London, in conjunction with The ADP Group, a Sarasota architectural and land planning firm.
Before opening the Sarasota office in early 2007, HKR had done much of Bayside's design work from London.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
May 23, 2008
SAR monthy stats released for April
Sarasota market hits highest sales figure since June 2007
Home sales in the Sarasota MLS for April 2008 stood at 567 - the highest level in 10 months, and approximately 72 percent higher than the sales in January 2008. In 2008, sales have been progressively stronger month by month, possibly due to the influence of the new property tax portability law adopted in late January. Sales have climbed from 329 in January to 423 in February, then 514 in March.
Bucking the trend of dropping median sales prices for single family homes, April also saw the median sale price rise to $285,000 from $266,750 in March - about a 7 percent increase.
Condominium sales prices have shown a decline of about 8 percent since the first of the year, but they are also beginning to trend upward and have remained at relatively high levels for the Sarasota market. The median sale price for a condominium stood at $277,000 in April, about 18 percent higher than the $235,000 median sale price in March, but roughly 8 percent off the 2008 peak of $303,500 in January. "We are very fortunate to live in a beautiful, vibrant community, with world-class culture and amenities," said Helen Sosso, 2008 SAR President. "These obvious factors continue to enhance the value of local properties, and we are seeing this reflected in our stronger sales figures. In addition, it appears we are beginning to see the effects of the recent state legislation which made it easier for families to upsize or downsize, without such a dramatic impact on their property taxes. Portability will likely continue to be a factor as we move forward in 2008."
The April 2008 report continued to reflect strength in pending sales, which stood at 765 - the highest level in the past year. In April 2007 pending sales were at only 609. Pending sales have been edging upward since December 2007, when there were only 374 pending sales reported. Pending sales reflect contracts executed by buyers and sellers, and indicate more closings in upcoming months and an improving market in the early summer months. Inventory levels were lower in April 2008 at 9,830 single family homes, compared to 10,443 in April 2007. Condominium levels also decreased from the April 2007 level of 6,344 to 5,608 in April 2008. Lower inventory normally means a tighter selling market, which tends to put upward pressure on prices over time.
Declining inventory is one of the indicators that a market is beginning to return to a more normal, balanced state. In fact, the Sarasota MLS statistics reveal a lower level of new listings on the market, combined with higher unit sales, which means the inventory is declining for two reasons and should more quickly reach a healthy equilibrium.
The days on market, which translates to the average time it took to sell a property, was at 166 days for single family homes in April 2008, slightly higher than the 158 days in March 2008. The figure has been steadily in the 158 to 160 range throughout the year. Average days on the market for condos was at 189 in April 2008, lower than the 192 figure in March 2008, and much lower than the 203 days reported in February 2008. The days on market reflects the pace of sales. In general, the Sarasota MLS statistics show a rebound throughout 2008 - every month seeing stronger numbers than the month before.In an article in the Wall Street Journal last month by Cyril Moulle-Berteaux, a managing partner of Traxis Partners LP, a hedge fund firm based in New York, the author puts together a thought provoking piece headlined "The Housing Crisis Is Over."
In the article, he defined the basic elements of the housing boom, and the historic trends that follow such a boom and return to normalcy. He concludes that the national housing market is bottoming out right now, and says the return of affordability to the market makes a recovery an almost certainty.
He predicts the nationwide home inventory will drop significantly by the end of 2008, and this shift will begin to be reflected in prices. In the local Sarasota market, we have seen the trend already beginning toward lower inventories, higher sales, and a leveling of prices after a few months of declines. The April figures reflect this new reality.
Sarasota Association of REALTORS®
SAR monthy stats released for April
Sarasota market hits highest sales figure since June 2007
Home sales in the Sarasota MLS for April 2008 stood at 567 - the highest level in 10 months, and approximately 72 percent higher than the sales in January 2008. In 2008, sales have been progressively stronger month by month, possibly due to the influence of the new property tax portability law adopted in late January. Sales have climbed from 329 in January to 423 in February, then 514 in March.
Bucking the trend of dropping median sales prices for single family homes, April also saw the median sale price rise to $285,000 from $266,750 in March - about a 7 percent increase.
Condominium sales prices have shown a decline of about 8 percent since the first of the year, but they are also beginning to trend upward and have remained at relatively high levels for the Sarasota market. The median sale price for a condominium stood at $277,000 in April, about 18 percent higher than the $235,000 median sale price in March, but roughly 8 percent off the 2008 peak of $303,500 in January. "We are very fortunate to live in a beautiful, vibrant community, with world-class culture and amenities," said Helen Sosso, 2008 SAR President. "These obvious factors continue to enhance the value of local properties, and we are seeing this reflected in our stronger sales figures. In addition, it appears we are beginning to see the effects of the recent state legislation which made it easier for families to upsize or downsize, without such a dramatic impact on their property taxes. Portability will likely continue to be a factor as we move forward in 2008."
The April 2008 report continued to reflect strength in pending sales, which stood at 765 - the highest level in the past year. In April 2007 pending sales were at only 609. Pending sales have been edging upward since December 2007, when there were only 374 pending sales reported. Pending sales reflect contracts executed by buyers and sellers, and indicate more closings in upcoming months and an improving market in the early summer months. Inventory levels were lower in April 2008 at 9,830 single family homes, compared to 10,443 in April 2007. Condominium levels also decreased from the April 2007 level of 6,344 to 5,608 in April 2008. Lower inventory normally means a tighter selling market, which tends to put upward pressure on prices over time.
Declining inventory is one of the indicators that a market is beginning to return to a more normal, balanced state. In fact, the Sarasota MLS statistics reveal a lower level of new listings on the market, combined with higher unit sales, which means the inventory is declining for two reasons and should more quickly reach a healthy equilibrium.
The days on market, which translates to the average time it took to sell a property, was at 166 days for single family homes in April 2008, slightly higher than the 158 days in March 2008. The figure has been steadily in the 158 to 160 range throughout the year. Average days on the market for condos was at 189 in April 2008, lower than the 192 figure in March 2008, and much lower than the 203 days reported in February 2008. The days on market reflects the pace of sales. In general, the Sarasota MLS statistics show a rebound throughout 2008 - every month seeing stronger numbers than the month before.In an article in the Wall Street Journal last month by Cyril Moulle-Berteaux, a managing partner of Traxis Partners LP, a hedge fund firm based in New York, the author puts together a thought provoking piece headlined "The Housing Crisis Is Over."
In the article, he defined the basic elements of the housing boom, and the historic trends that follow such a boom and return to normalcy. He concludes that the national housing market is bottoming out right now, and says the return of affordability to the market makes a recovery an almost certainty.
He predicts the nationwide home inventory will drop significantly by the end of 2008, and this shift will begin to be reflected in prices. In the local Sarasota market, we have seen the trend already beginning toward lower inventories, higher sales, and a leveling of prices after a few months of declines. The April figures reflect this new reality.
Sarasota Association of REALTORS®
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Why pay rent when you can
buy a home with no out-of-pocket expenses?
Ø FHA financing let’s you buy a home with as little as 3% down and that down payment can come from a third party or family member in the form of a gift.
Ø There are no income restrictions, and you don’t have to be a first time homebuyer to qualify for FHA financing.
Ø You don’t need perfect credit to qualify for FHA financing.
Ø 30 year fixed FHA mortgage rates are at historic lows.
Ø Home prices are lower than they’ve been in 4-5 years.
Ø A parent, sibling or other family member may help you qualify for the mortgage as a non-occupant co-borrower.
In today’s market, sellers are eager to contribute up to, and in some cases, more than 6% of the purchase price to help cover the requisite 3% down payment and closing costs. Now is the time to take advantage of:
Ø Low interest rates.
Ø Seller’s willingness to negotiate.
Ø The best housing prices and inventory in several years.
If you are spending $1,500/m in rent, you may be able to afford a condominium or home priced in the $165,000 to $175,000 range for about the same amount each month. According to the latest Realtor multiple listing service figures, there are 35+/- properties listed in the Lakewood Ranch area in this price range.
To learn more about this terrific homebuyer program and the flexibility and options available to you, feel free to call or e-mail for more information:
Harry Fager
Private Mortgage Banker
MSC Mortgage Company
An affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
(941) 951-6660
harryfager@mscmortgage.com
buy a home with no out-of-pocket expenses?
Ø FHA financing let’s you buy a home with as little as 3% down and that down payment can come from a third party or family member in the form of a gift.
Ø There are no income restrictions, and you don’t have to be a first time homebuyer to qualify for FHA financing.
Ø You don’t need perfect credit to qualify for FHA financing.
Ø 30 year fixed FHA mortgage rates are at historic lows.
Ø Home prices are lower than they’ve been in 4-5 years.
Ø A parent, sibling or other family member may help you qualify for the mortgage as a non-occupant co-borrower.
In today’s market, sellers are eager to contribute up to, and in some cases, more than 6% of the purchase price to help cover the requisite 3% down payment and closing costs. Now is the time to take advantage of:
Ø Low interest rates.
Ø Seller’s willingness to negotiate.
Ø The best housing prices and inventory in several years.
If you are spending $1,500/m in rent, you may be able to afford a condominium or home priced in the $165,000 to $175,000 range for about the same amount each month. According to the latest Realtor multiple listing service figures, there are 35+/- properties listed in the Lakewood Ranch area in this price range.
To learn more about this terrific homebuyer program and the flexibility and options available to you, feel free to call or e-mail for more information:
Harry Fager
Private Mortgage Banker
MSC Mortgage Company
An affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
(941) 951-6660
harryfager@mscmortgage.com
Friday, April 25, 2008
Our April Newsletter
“No one wants to catch a falling knife.”
As we drove around looking at property, this was the philosophy one Canadian shared with me regarding
his take on the average buyer. “Once it clangs on the floor, everyone will know it has hit bottom and then everyone
will scramble to buy." His own strategy was different. He was not about to wait. Even though he was unsure if
further price declines were to come, he had a fantastic selection of homes to choose from and he knew he was
getting a great price not seen since 2003. He bought. But there is another potent case for buying now.
Finance costs will rise as the economy recovers, so trying to time real estate might not pay off.
Consider this example. A $500,000 Siesta Key condo purchased today, with 20% down, leaves $400,000
financed at about 6% over 30 years. That's a monthly P&I payment of $2,398. If prices drop an additional 10%, the
cost of this condo next year is $450,000. But when the recession ends and the Fed starts to raise rates to say,
7.5%, your monthly payment would be $2,517. If you waited a year to buy, you would have saved nothing and
spent one less year in your beach side condo.
When prices are falling, few people have the discipline to buy stocks, a house, art or any other asset. But
those who do pull the trigger excel in the long run.
What's with all those headlines ?
Considering all of the negative press the housing market received in late 2007, it's more important than
ever for people to separate fact from fiction when deciding on a time to buy or sell a home. The fact is, we were
due for, and are now experiencing, a natural cyclical correction. The recent "housing boom" which lasted from 2001
until 2005, was caused by low interest rates and a rapid increase in property valuations. This combination
prompted a high sense of urgency in home buying and selling. Poor lending practices, which caused many home
buyers to secure loans that they ultimately couldn't afford, also fueled the fire. Finally, and possibly the biggest
culprit here locally, speculative purchases of homes by investors hoping for a quick return on investment took us
over the top.
But are these problems so deep that recovery is years away ? Actual facts and history say no.
Let's start with lending practices. Unlike the media's portrayal, the reality is that subprime loans comprise
only 9% of total loans nationwide and of those 9%, less than 11% of those subprime ARM and fixed borrowers
have defaulted on their loans. Problematic, yes. Of epidemic proportions, no.
As for speculators, like the dot-com bust, the housing market has begun to correct itself after a number of
years of unwise purchasing. But unlike what the media would have us believe, a correction in the housing market
doesn't equate to a crash. The ongoing negative news about the most troubled areas in the U.S. has caused a
ripple effect, with home buyers and sellers on a national level exercising caution before making a decision.
What we are seeing now is a repeat of a housing cycle we've seen before. In the early 1980's and 1990's
some areas of the country experienced the worst downturn they had seen in the last 25 years. It was caused by
localized economic weaknesses and a loss of jobs. But on a nationwide average others, like the Pacific Northwest,
were barely affected at all. Even those areas hit the hardest in the past experienced a historic uptick in prices, and
then a continuing long term appreciation trend followed.
It is our belief that we in Sarasota are actually positioned quite nicely. According to the latest statistics -
issued the last week of March by FAR - Sarasota-Manatee once again outsold such mega-markets as Miami and
Ft. Lauderdale, building on a solid trend that held throughout every month of 2007 and continues thus far into
2008. We simply need our inventory of homes and condos to decline to more acceptable levels.
The avalanche of east coast baby boomers on the horizon may well be the cure for our local recovery.
Lawmakers will look at more tax cuts in 2008.
On January 29, 2008 Florida Voters approved Amendment 1, which made significant changes to the Florida
Constitution regarding property tax laws. These include an additional $25,000 Homestead exemption, and
portability of the Save Our Homes benefit. (Although too detailed for this newsletter, feel free to e-mail us for a 3
page recap of the specifics of all changes.) Governor Charlie Crist, top lawmakers and other backers promised it
would be just the start of property tax relief. Let's hope so. For non-homesteaded owners the government put a
modest 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases. That's not enough to satisfy out of state owners who saw
their tax bills increase the most due to sharp rises in property values in recent years. The Sarasota Association of
Realtors (and all similar associations in Florida) will continue to press for true relief for the second home/vacation
type owner. It will happen. We will keep you updated.
Patrick Doherty, Joe James, Michael James, Maureen James Doherty
April 2008
Realtors
info@jamesbrothers.com
www.JamesBrothers.com
(your on-line resource)
Local: 941-993-6443
Toll free: 1-888-755-2637
As we drove around looking at property, this was the philosophy one Canadian shared with me regarding
his take on the average buyer. “Once it clangs on the floor, everyone will know it has hit bottom and then everyone
will scramble to buy." His own strategy was different. He was not about to wait. Even though he was unsure if
further price declines were to come, he had a fantastic selection of homes to choose from and he knew he was
getting a great price not seen since 2003. He bought. But there is another potent case for buying now.
Finance costs will rise as the economy recovers, so trying to time real estate might not pay off.
Consider this example. A $500,000 Siesta Key condo purchased today, with 20% down, leaves $400,000
financed at about 6% over 30 years. That's a monthly P&I payment of $2,398. If prices drop an additional 10%, the
cost of this condo next year is $450,000. But when the recession ends and the Fed starts to raise rates to say,
7.5%, your monthly payment would be $2,517. If you waited a year to buy, you would have saved nothing and
spent one less year in your beach side condo.
When prices are falling, few people have the discipline to buy stocks, a house, art or any other asset. But
those who do pull the trigger excel in the long run.
What's with all those headlines ?
Considering all of the negative press the housing market received in late 2007, it's more important than
ever for people to separate fact from fiction when deciding on a time to buy or sell a home. The fact is, we were
due for, and are now experiencing, a natural cyclical correction. The recent "housing boom" which lasted from 2001
until 2005, was caused by low interest rates and a rapid increase in property valuations. This combination
prompted a high sense of urgency in home buying and selling. Poor lending practices, which caused many home
buyers to secure loans that they ultimately couldn't afford, also fueled the fire. Finally, and possibly the biggest
culprit here locally, speculative purchases of homes by investors hoping for a quick return on investment took us
over the top.
But are these problems so deep that recovery is years away ? Actual facts and history say no.
Let's start with lending practices. Unlike the media's portrayal, the reality is that subprime loans comprise
only 9% of total loans nationwide and of those 9%, less than 11% of those subprime ARM and fixed borrowers
have defaulted on their loans. Problematic, yes. Of epidemic proportions, no.
As for speculators, like the dot-com bust, the housing market has begun to correct itself after a number of
years of unwise purchasing. But unlike what the media would have us believe, a correction in the housing market
doesn't equate to a crash. The ongoing negative news about the most troubled areas in the U.S. has caused a
ripple effect, with home buyers and sellers on a national level exercising caution before making a decision.
What we are seeing now is a repeat of a housing cycle we've seen before. In the early 1980's and 1990's
some areas of the country experienced the worst downturn they had seen in the last 25 years. It was caused by
localized economic weaknesses and a loss of jobs. But on a nationwide average others, like the Pacific Northwest,
were barely affected at all. Even those areas hit the hardest in the past experienced a historic uptick in prices, and
then a continuing long term appreciation trend followed.
It is our belief that we in Sarasota are actually positioned quite nicely. According to the latest statistics -
issued the last week of March by FAR - Sarasota-Manatee once again outsold such mega-markets as Miami and
Ft. Lauderdale, building on a solid trend that held throughout every month of 2007 and continues thus far into
2008. We simply need our inventory of homes and condos to decline to more acceptable levels.
The avalanche of east coast baby boomers on the horizon may well be the cure for our local recovery.
Lawmakers will look at more tax cuts in 2008.
On January 29, 2008 Florida Voters approved Amendment 1, which made significant changes to the Florida
Constitution regarding property tax laws. These include an additional $25,000 Homestead exemption, and
portability of the Save Our Homes benefit. (Although too detailed for this newsletter, feel free to e-mail us for a 3
page recap of the specifics of all changes.) Governor Charlie Crist, top lawmakers and other backers promised it
would be just the start of property tax relief. Let's hope so. For non-homesteaded owners the government put a
modest 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases. That's not enough to satisfy out of state owners who saw
their tax bills increase the most due to sharp rises in property values in recent years. The Sarasota Association of
Realtors (and all similar associations in Florida) will continue to press for true relief for the second home/vacation
type owner. It will happen. We will keep you updated.
Patrick Doherty, Joe James, Michael James, Maureen James Doherty
April 2008
Realtors
info@jamesbrothers.com
www.JamesBrothers.com
(your on-line resource)
Local: 941-993-6443
Toll free: 1-888-755-2637
Monday, April 21, 2008
New Low prices for DOWNTOWN SARASOTA
2 bedrooms under $ 250,000 in .....Broadway Promendade, Dolpin Tower & Central Park ll
Also great opportunity in Hudson Harbour.
And this opportunity in Villa D Este at Villagio. { photos }.
This end unit has the best private location in the complex and gives you a feeling of being in a single family home with lake views. Listed under $ 139,000
Also great opportunity in Hudson Harbour.
And this opportunity in Villa D Este at Villagio. { photos }.
This end unit has the best private location in the complex and gives you a feeling of being in a single family home with lake views. Listed under $ 139,000
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
From today's Herald Tribune Business section
Merchants aim to make 'Sarasota So Today' a theme the area can hang its hat on
By Toni Whitt
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA — Sarasota has beaches, sunshine, the arts and even the Ritz-Carlton. What it does not have is a catchy slogan.
A group of downtown merchants aims to change that with the brand "Sarasota So Today."
The group's ad campaign includes hot spots, hip merchants and high-profile landmarks, all with a slogan -- "So Cultured," for example -- and then the tag line "Sarasota So Today."
The slogan is designed to emulate such successful marketing campaigns as "I Love New York," or "Virginia is for Lovers," and, of course, that Las Vegas slogan, "What Happens Here, Stays Here."
One of the people who helped noodle "Sarasota So Today" also helped design ad campaigns for New York, General Electric, Gillette and Apple.
Vincent Sebastian Taschetti, president of Think1Inc., worked with business owners James Derheim and Craiger Scheuer to come up with the concept and a parallel campaign designed to highlight the five shopping districts in and around downtown.
They will unveil their vision to local businesses and merchants tonight at downtown's Hotel Indigo.
Their mission is to help catch the attention of international tourists who have money to spend and of Americans who want to visit Florida, but think first about Orlando, Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
But it is not just a draw for tourists, they say; too many people in this area are unfamiliar with all that downtown Sarasota has to offer. This ad campaign is designed to fix that and to bring in more money.
"If you brand downtown, then you can sell it," Taschetti said. "Sarasota needs an identity."
Scheuer, president of the Downtown Sarasota Merchants Alliance, said the campaign would help better position local merchants for the long term.
"We want to stay strong and be in a position that when we do recover economically to take advantage of it," he said. "This is a great way to do it."
It is a trend that is happening across the nation. Cities and states are looking for ways to market their assets as the economy weakens and budgets everywhere have tightened. California recently released its new advertising campaign featuring celebrities touting its "board meetings," with the state's famous first couple -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver -- asking, "When can you start?"
In Washington, D.C., the federal government is set to launch its "Discover America" Web site, along with a campaign aimed at tourists from Europe, Japan and Australia.
If Sarasota can get behind the concept, Scheuer said, it can capitalize on its best features instead of offering fragmented marketing.
"We're streamlining things and bringing everything to a zenith," he said. "We want to make downtown Sarasota a destination."
The campaign was put together as a volunteer effort and is still in its conceptual stages, so the creators are open to ideas. But they also believe that "Sarasota So Today" has legs. It can travel through the five shopping districts, cover all sorts of businesses and will continue to work for years to come.
They want the slogan on banners throughout the districts. They have an idea for a television program and kiosks, and plan magazine, newspaper and radio campaigns.
"It can be retrofitted for anything," Taschetti said. "This is all about building a business within a structure. They are all products within the brand name of 'Sarasota So Today.'"
Of course, the volunteers who came up with the idea have a long way to go toward building support.
Along with unveiling the campaign today, they will roll out a new Web site that will include the campaign slogan and will link to sites for downtown's five shopping districts.
The site will allow individual merchant members to go in and create a Web page for their business that fits in with the ad campaigns.
So, the team will recruit merchants to join the business alliance. And companies with deeper pockets will be asked to help fund the campaign.
"We'll start contacting people and asking how interested they are in doing this," Scheuer said. "There are a lot of visionaries in Sarasota."
__________________________________________________________________
WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Proposed advertising slogans for downtown's five shopping districts:
Burns Square: "It's Hip to Be Square."
Rosemary District: "Everything's Coming up Rosemary."
Main Street: "For Shopping Mainiacs."
Palm Avenue: "It's all in the Palm of Your Hand."
The Towles Court Art District: "Putting Art in Your Court."
Merchants aim to make 'Sarasota So Today' a theme the area can hang its hat on
By Toni Whitt
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA — Sarasota has beaches, sunshine, the arts and even the Ritz-Carlton. What it does not have is a catchy slogan.
A group of downtown merchants aims to change that with the brand "Sarasota So Today."
The group's ad campaign includes hot spots, hip merchants and high-profile landmarks, all with a slogan -- "So Cultured," for example -- and then the tag line "Sarasota So Today."
The slogan is designed to emulate such successful marketing campaigns as "I Love New York," or "Virginia is for Lovers," and, of course, that Las Vegas slogan, "What Happens Here, Stays Here."
One of the people who helped noodle "Sarasota So Today" also helped design ad campaigns for New York, General Electric, Gillette and Apple.
Vincent Sebastian Taschetti, president of Think1Inc., worked with business owners James Derheim and Craiger Scheuer to come up with the concept and a parallel campaign designed to highlight the five shopping districts in and around downtown.
They will unveil their vision to local businesses and merchants tonight at downtown's Hotel Indigo.
Their mission is to help catch the attention of international tourists who have money to spend and of Americans who want to visit Florida, but think first about Orlando, Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
But it is not just a draw for tourists, they say; too many people in this area are unfamiliar with all that downtown Sarasota has to offer. This ad campaign is designed to fix that and to bring in more money.
"If you brand downtown, then you can sell it," Taschetti said. "Sarasota needs an identity."
Scheuer, president of the Downtown Sarasota Merchants Alliance, said the campaign would help better position local merchants for the long term.
"We want to stay strong and be in a position that when we do recover economically to take advantage of it," he said. "This is a great way to do it."
It is a trend that is happening across the nation. Cities and states are looking for ways to market their assets as the economy weakens and budgets everywhere have tightened. California recently released its new advertising campaign featuring celebrities touting its "board meetings," with the state's famous first couple -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver -- asking, "When can you start?"
In Washington, D.C., the federal government is set to launch its "Discover America" Web site, along with a campaign aimed at tourists from Europe, Japan and Australia.
If Sarasota can get behind the concept, Scheuer said, it can capitalize on its best features instead of offering fragmented marketing.
"We're streamlining things and bringing everything to a zenith," he said. "We want to make downtown Sarasota a destination."
The campaign was put together as a volunteer effort and is still in its conceptual stages, so the creators are open to ideas. But they also believe that "Sarasota So Today" has legs. It can travel through the five shopping districts, cover all sorts of businesses and will continue to work for years to come.
They want the slogan on banners throughout the districts. They have an idea for a television program and kiosks, and plan magazine, newspaper and radio campaigns.
"It can be retrofitted for anything," Taschetti said. "This is all about building a business within a structure. They are all products within the brand name of 'Sarasota So Today.'"
Of course, the volunteers who came up with the idea have a long way to go toward building support.
Along with unveiling the campaign today, they will roll out a new Web site that will include the campaign slogan and will link to sites for downtown's five shopping districts.
The site will allow individual merchant members to go in and create a Web page for their business that fits in with the ad campaigns.
So, the team will recruit merchants to join the business alliance. And companies with deeper pockets will be asked to help fund the campaign.
"We'll start contacting people and asking how interested they are in doing this," Scheuer said. "There are a lot of visionaries in Sarasota."
__________________________________________________________________
WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Proposed advertising slogans for downtown's five shopping districts:
Burns Square: "It's Hip to Be Square."
Rosemary District: "Everything's Coming up Rosemary."
Main Street: "For Shopping Mainiacs."
Palm Avenue: "It's all in the Palm of Your Hand."
The Towles Court Art District: "Putting Art in Your Court."
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Dining Divas - Across The Pond
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries Off the Eaten Path”Weekly eating adventures in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have a soul, offer entrees under $15.00 and entertain us with wonderful music. This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now..…our review.This week we decided ” to be or not to be” and ventured out for English fare at Shakespeare’s British Pub. It is hidden away in a little plaza with a couple of tables out front …you’d miss the place if you sneezed. But don’t be fooled by the exterior! Inside they have a substantial size bar, a number of tables, darts and a pool table tucked in the back. They had 70’s music playing in the background {” If music be the food of life, play on ” } and soft lighting. The atmosphere was friendly, comfortable and casual – a typical neighborhood pub feel. We immediately felt right at home {”sigh no more ladies, sigh no more ” }.
We had arrived at 8:30 on a weekday, which can sometimes be late for Sarasota, but not here! The place was still rolling and attracts quite a variety of people. { “What a piece of work is a man” } That’s always a good sign for us! The kitchen is open until 10pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, until 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday and on Friday and Saturday they serve until midnight. {”Parting is such sweet sorrow”} Thank goodness they also serve lunch 7 days a week. Now for the food…… Upon our arrival at Shakespeare’s, we stopped to chat with the diners seated outside. { “All the world’s a stage” } They were regulars and busy munching away with great pleasure at their meals. Bob encouraged us to try the burgers and insisted they’re the best in the area. Barbara was delighted with her fish and chips – North Atlantic Cod dipped in a light batter – just like they’d had in England! It looked delicious and our mouths were watering. Since they were not willing to share we saddled up to the bar to make our own orders. They serve only beer and wine, so we decided on a few tall drafts to start the evening and then began to review the menu carefully.
The Shakespeare’s Combination Plate sounded like the perfect appetizer to start the evening. It had English Walleye, Sausage Rolls and Dustbin Lids with dipping sauces. Curious? Well, an English Walleye is a dill pickle dipped in beer batter and deep fried. The sausage was encased in puff pastry and Dustbin Lids are potato skins filled with sausage, onions, mushrooms, topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream on the side. Oh my… we all agreed we would have to hit the gym the next day but what can we say…….Yummy…. Divas live in the Now ! With our appetites revved up, we approached the rest of the menu with enthusiasm. The 8 oz Black Angus burger with balsamic caramelized onions and brie cheese was large enough to almost feed two, but delicious enough to not want to share. Bob was right – it was one of the best burgers in town! Dieting Diva ordered the Crispy Duck Salad – a nice size entrée with crispy duck strips, almonds and an orange ginger dressing. A wonderful combination of textures and flavors. They also serve different pasties daily and highly recommended them, so we gave those a try. The flaky puffed pastry was stuffed with chicken in a sun dried tomato and basil cream sauce. Well, anything with too many carbs is always appealing and this was no different. It was delicious! …. And for dessert……They had deep fried Milky Way Bars on the menu…thought we had struck gold!!. But turns out we were very disappointed Divas (understatement of the year) when we discovered that they were sold out. { “Is that a dagger which I see before me” }. However we got over it and consoled ourselves with an order of English Bread Pudding – the bread part was very good, and it was topped with pudding but it was nothing like what we had looked forward to….we still had those bars on our minds. { “Love looks not with the eyes but with the minds”} Anyway…..we decided the pudding needed a bit of cinnamon and a splash of whiskey to give it a punch. But we did scrape the bowl so obviously we didn’t think it was that bad! { “All’s well that ends well”}. As for those decadent Milkyway bars………”We will return” ....
This is a great spot {”out damn spot”} … but hard on the waste line…. Our cost was about $20 a person. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Shakespeare’s English Pub, 3550 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 941-364-5938
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries Off the Eaten Path”Weekly eating adventures in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have a soul, offer entrees under $15.00 and entertain us with wonderful music. This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now..…our review.This week we decided ” to be or not to be” and ventured out for English fare at Shakespeare’s British Pub. It is hidden away in a little plaza with a couple of tables out front …you’d miss the place if you sneezed. But don’t be fooled by the exterior! Inside they have a substantial size bar, a number of tables, darts and a pool table tucked in the back. They had 70’s music playing in the background {” If music be the food of life, play on ” } and soft lighting. The atmosphere was friendly, comfortable and casual – a typical neighborhood pub feel. We immediately felt right at home {”sigh no more ladies, sigh no more ” }.
We had arrived at 8:30 on a weekday, which can sometimes be late for Sarasota, but not here! The place was still rolling and attracts quite a variety of people. { “What a piece of work is a man” } That’s always a good sign for us! The kitchen is open until 10pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, until 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday and on Friday and Saturday they serve until midnight. {”Parting is such sweet sorrow”} Thank goodness they also serve lunch 7 days a week. Now for the food…… Upon our arrival at Shakespeare’s, we stopped to chat with the diners seated outside. { “All the world’s a stage” } They were regulars and busy munching away with great pleasure at their meals. Bob encouraged us to try the burgers and insisted they’re the best in the area. Barbara was delighted with her fish and chips – North Atlantic Cod dipped in a light batter – just like they’d had in England! It looked delicious and our mouths were watering. Since they were not willing to share we saddled up to the bar to make our own orders. They serve only beer and wine, so we decided on a few tall drafts to start the evening and then began to review the menu carefully.
The Shakespeare’s Combination Plate sounded like the perfect appetizer to start the evening. It had English Walleye, Sausage Rolls and Dustbin Lids with dipping sauces. Curious? Well, an English Walleye is a dill pickle dipped in beer batter and deep fried. The sausage was encased in puff pastry and Dustbin Lids are potato skins filled with sausage, onions, mushrooms, topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream on the side. Oh my… we all agreed we would have to hit the gym the next day but what can we say…….Yummy…. Divas live in the Now ! With our appetites revved up, we approached the rest of the menu with enthusiasm. The 8 oz Black Angus burger with balsamic caramelized onions and brie cheese was large enough to almost feed two, but delicious enough to not want to share. Bob was right – it was one of the best burgers in town! Dieting Diva ordered the Crispy Duck Salad – a nice size entrée with crispy duck strips, almonds and an orange ginger dressing. A wonderful combination of textures and flavors. They also serve different pasties daily and highly recommended them, so we gave those a try. The flaky puffed pastry was stuffed with chicken in a sun dried tomato and basil cream sauce. Well, anything with too many carbs is always appealing and this was no different. It was delicious! …. And for dessert……They had deep fried Milky Way Bars on the menu…thought we had struck gold!!. But turns out we were very disappointed Divas (understatement of the year) when we discovered that they were sold out. { “Is that a dagger which I see before me” }. However we got over it and consoled ourselves with an order of English Bread Pudding – the bread part was very good, and it was topped with pudding but it was nothing like what we had looked forward to….we still had those bars on our minds. { “Love looks not with the eyes but with the minds”} Anyway…..we decided the pudding needed a bit of cinnamon and a splash of whiskey to give it a punch. But we did scrape the bowl so obviously we didn’t think it was that bad! { “All’s well that ends well”}. As for those decadent Milkyway bars………”We will return” ....
This is a great spot {”out damn spot”} … but hard on the waste line…. Our cost was about $20 a person. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Shakespeare’s English Pub, 3550 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 941-364-5938
Palm Avenue
[SRQ TALK] Residents Join Businesses to Support Palm Avenue .
The fate of the Palm Avenue mixed use project slated to bring much demanded public parking and economic activity to Downtown Sarasota will be decided upon this Friday by a City Commission vote. Presentations made by the developer, The Leiter Group and the John Buck Company, and by City staff combined with brief, albeit passionate public comments at last night's Special City Commission Meeting. Since the Commission last reviewed the project in 2007, the developers have worked with City staff and Goetsch Architects to address initial concerns from the Commissioners that the architecture was not "exemplary" enough.
Providing a proposed 550 public parking spaces, a Starwood Aloft Hotel, retail along Palm and Cocoanut Avenues and eventually a residential project, the developers presented the conceptual design and feasibility studies of the project last night.
Residents of Bay Plaza, located across the street from the proposed project, gathered 50-plus signatures from their residents in support of the Palm Avenue project, citing the need for continued vibrant downtown projects and the project's "hip, urban", contemporary architectural aesthetic as desirables.
Many residents put their evening’s plans on hold in order for a chance to speak before the commission in a show of support and to convey the importance of what this project would mean for the city. Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association President John Moran stated he was “hot for the project”, during his time to speak.
Ernie Ritz met with Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Virginia Haley to compile figures that would demonstrate the economic impact of the hotel saying that the downtown could expect an annual $3 million in tourist dollars from visitors staying at the Starwood Aloft hotel alone.The last remaining challenge for the project will be one of architecture. While most agreed on the positive economic impact, some still disagreed on the level of satisfaction in the architecture of the hotel potion of the project, in particular the facade treatment.
The Commission will need to decide whether the need for the project outweighs its perceived lack of perfection in the design. While the functionality required in the City’s original RFP seems to be realized, some believe they would like to see further development of form. Difficult to resolve, the Commissioners will need to decide whether unanimously-accepted aesthetic is more important than the substance of the project. As of the meeting, the City staff have recommended acceptance of the project as has the City Planning Board. The Commission will reconvene this Friday to finalize their decision to realize the potential for this public, private partnership.
The fate of the Palm Avenue mixed use project slated to bring much demanded public parking and economic activity to Downtown Sarasota will be decided upon this Friday by a City Commission vote. Presentations made by the developer, The Leiter Group and the John Buck Company, and by City staff combined with brief, albeit passionate public comments at last night's Special City Commission Meeting. Since the Commission last reviewed the project in 2007, the developers have worked with City staff and Goetsch Architects to address initial concerns from the Commissioners that the architecture was not "exemplary" enough.
Providing a proposed 550 public parking spaces, a Starwood Aloft Hotel, retail along Palm and Cocoanut Avenues and eventually a residential project, the developers presented the conceptual design and feasibility studies of the project last night.
Residents of Bay Plaza, located across the street from the proposed project, gathered 50-plus signatures from their residents in support of the Palm Avenue project, citing the need for continued vibrant downtown projects and the project's "hip, urban", contemporary architectural aesthetic as desirables.
Many residents put their evening’s plans on hold in order for a chance to speak before the commission in a show of support and to convey the importance of what this project would mean for the city. Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association President John Moran stated he was “hot for the project”, during his time to speak.
Ernie Ritz met with Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Virginia Haley to compile figures that would demonstrate the economic impact of the hotel saying that the downtown could expect an annual $3 million in tourist dollars from visitors staying at the Starwood Aloft hotel alone.The last remaining challenge for the project will be one of architecture. While most agreed on the positive economic impact, some still disagreed on the level of satisfaction in the architecture of the hotel potion of the project, in particular the facade treatment.
The Commission will need to decide whether the need for the project outweighs its perceived lack of perfection in the design. While the functionality required in the City’s original RFP seems to be realized, some believe they would like to see further development of form. Difficult to resolve, the Commissioners will need to decide whether unanimously-accepted aesthetic is more important than the substance of the project. As of the meeting, the City staff have recommended acceptance of the project as has the City Planning Board. The Commission will reconvene this Friday to finalize their decision to realize the potential for this public, private partnership.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Divas do St. Patrick's day a little early....................
Friday, March 7th, 2008
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries off the Eaten Path”Weekly eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hits (or misses). The objective is to discover thoserestaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have a soul, offerentrees under $15.00 and entertain us with wonderful music. This isnot your typical food review. More important to us is theambiance,pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply theDining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now….Our review.This week we decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early and made our way to The Irish Rover Pub.
When we arrived, the place was already full so we grabbed the last available table. The room is simple and spacious with appropriate Irish Shamrock green colored walls that are covered with typical Irish beer { mostly Guinness } posters.
There are photos of Ireland everywhere.
Because of the size and openness of the room it feels more like an Irish hall than a pub. But that’s a good thing. The space lends itself perfectly to their musical stage. { If you are looking for something more intimate you can go into their adjoining pub. }. When the musicians are not perfoming they have a continuous slideshow playing of someone’s recent trip to “The Homeland” reflecting the beautiful countryside.
The owners, Bobby Vesey and Paul Duffy are long time musicians from the New York City area who weredrawn to Sarasota because of the circus. Circus? Yes, Paul’s family has its roots in the Dublin circus and he felt right at home in our lovely surroundings with John Ringling’s influences. Bobby played thenight we were there along with Mike - the Bohdran player. Can he play that thing! A bohdran is an Irish frame drum that goes back 2000 years it has a goat skin head and is hand held. The sound that emits transports you to the hills of Ireland. “When Irish Eyes are smiling” ……and there were so many of all ages singing along and clapping to the music. Oh to be Irish or at least for the evening. Even we Divas have a little Irish in us. Wednesdays are Bohdran night and many of the patrons had brought along their drums to accompany Bobby for the evening. And who doesn’t know the words to “My Wild Irish Rose”? We don’t ! But we do know all the words to “What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor”! Check their website or call for their music schedule. It’s mostly Irish influence, for course, except for Tuesday nights they play Jazz.
Now for the food review… An order of Guinness was on tap. Perfect! Ummm! It was so good wecould go for one right now! They have a very nice selection of beers on tap and bottled beers, a few wines and pseudo Irish liqueurs. They have applied for a liquor license and are hopeful that it should be coming through soon. That means Irish Wiskey, and that also means trouble for one Irish Diva who is known to do a little Jig , on tables, no less, whenever the feeling moves her ! The menu has something for everyone, but this was an Irish establishment so we orderd Bangers and Mash, Dublin Fish and Chips, Shepard’s Pie, Chicken Curry over Rice and Irish Soda Bread. Oh, where to start?!! The soda bread is the best we’ve ever had - sweet, moist and delicious. We know …it’s only bread…but sometimes - it’s just the little simple things that make us happy. The Fish with the Fish and Chips was cooked to perfection and very lightly breaded, Chips were average. The Shepard’s Pie - magnificent with a great combination of veggies, gravy, ground beef and mashed potatoes, topped with bacon..watch those arteries!The Chicken Curry was a tantalizing taste treat with just the right amount of spice and sauce! The B-B-B-Bangers and Mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) were suprisingly delicious and can also be ordered as an appetizer. Portions were modest but sufficient. We have to admit that expectatios were low going in and we were more than willing to just let the Irish music be the star of the evening. But the kitchen proved us wrong and what a treat ! We will be back for the food and the music …and not soon enough! We’ll be the ones leading the dancing among the tables! Of course there are special events planned at The Irish Rover Pub for March 15, 16 and 17. Be sure to head that way to celebrate St.Patrick’s Day! See you there!The meal was $21 per person.
The Irish Rover Pub, 6518 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231
Friday, March 7th, 2008
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries off the Eaten Path”Weekly eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hits (or misses). The objective is to discover thoserestaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have a soul, offerentrees under $15.00 and entertain us with wonderful music. This isnot your typical food review. More important to us is theambiance,pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply theDining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now….Our review.This week we decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early and made our way to The Irish Rover Pub.
When we arrived, the place was already full so we grabbed the last available table. The room is simple and spacious with appropriate Irish Shamrock green colored walls that are covered with typical Irish beer { mostly Guinness } posters.
There are photos of Ireland everywhere.
Because of the size and openness of the room it feels more like an Irish hall than a pub. But that’s a good thing. The space lends itself perfectly to their musical stage. { If you are looking for something more intimate you can go into their adjoining pub. }. When the musicians are not perfoming they have a continuous slideshow playing of someone’s recent trip to “The Homeland” reflecting the beautiful countryside.
The owners, Bobby Vesey and Paul Duffy are long time musicians from the New York City area who weredrawn to Sarasota because of the circus. Circus? Yes, Paul’s family has its roots in the Dublin circus and he felt right at home in our lovely surroundings with John Ringling’s influences. Bobby played thenight we were there along with Mike - the Bohdran player. Can he play that thing! A bohdran is an Irish frame drum that goes back 2000 years it has a goat skin head and is hand held. The sound that emits transports you to the hills of Ireland. “When Irish Eyes are smiling” ……and there were so many of all ages singing along and clapping to the music. Oh to be Irish or at least for the evening. Even we Divas have a little Irish in us. Wednesdays are Bohdran night and many of the patrons had brought along their drums to accompany Bobby for the evening. And who doesn’t know the words to “My Wild Irish Rose”? We don’t ! But we do know all the words to “What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor”! Check their website or call for their music schedule. It’s mostly Irish influence, for course, except for Tuesday nights they play Jazz.
Now for the food review… An order of Guinness was on tap. Perfect! Ummm! It was so good wecould go for one right now! They have a very nice selection of beers on tap and bottled beers, a few wines and pseudo Irish liqueurs. They have applied for a liquor license and are hopeful that it should be coming through soon. That means Irish Wiskey, and that also means trouble for one Irish Diva who is known to do a little Jig , on tables, no less, whenever the feeling moves her ! The menu has something for everyone, but this was an Irish establishment so we orderd Bangers and Mash, Dublin Fish and Chips, Shepard’s Pie, Chicken Curry over Rice and Irish Soda Bread. Oh, where to start?!! The soda bread is the best we’ve ever had - sweet, moist and delicious. We know …it’s only bread…but sometimes - it’s just the little simple things that make us happy. The Fish with the Fish and Chips was cooked to perfection and very lightly breaded, Chips were average. The Shepard’s Pie - magnificent with a great combination of veggies, gravy, ground beef and mashed potatoes, topped with bacon..watch those arteries!The Chicken Curry was a tantalizing taste treat with just the right amount of spice and sauce! The B-B-B-Bangers and Mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) were suprisingly delicious and can also be ordered as an appetizer. Portions were modest but sufficient. We have to admit that expectatios were low going in and we were more than willing to just let the Irish music be the star of the evening. But the kitchen proved us wrong and what a treat ! We will be back for the food and the music …and not soon enough! We’ll be the ones leading the dancing among the tables! Of course there are special events planned at The Irish Rover Pub for March 15, 16 and 17. Be sure to head that way to celebrate St.Patrick’s Day! See you there!The meal was $21 per person.
The Irish Rover Pub, 6518 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Sarasota Opera House finally re-opened its doors on Saturday after a $20-million renovation by Willis A. Smith Construction Inc. The renovation restored the original glory of the 1920s theater while preparing the state-of-the-art opera venue for the 21st century with upgrades on equipment, seating, staging and interior design.
For info call them at 366-8450
For info call them at 366-8450
Friday, February 22, 2008
Developer unveils Palm Avenue plans
Sarasota Herald Tribune
By Roger Drouin
Published Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA — Renderings dropped off at City Hall this week offer the first glimpse of a hotel, condo and parking garage planned for city-owned land downtown.
The city's partnership with a private development team would bring a 140-room hotel, 150 condos and shops to Palm Avenue and Cocoanut Avenue -- one of the most visible corners downtown. In exchange for the land, the city gets 400 public parking spaces.
"We hope this concept is one of a lot of activity and really a vibrant place," said Matt Leiter, managing partner of the Leiter Group.
The Leiter Group, teaming with Chicago-based John Buck Co., hopes to finish construction of the hotel by July 2009. The hotel is one of the new branches under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide aLoft brand.
The City Commission will have to give final approval before the team can begin the first phase of construction -- which includes the hotel, retail and the parking garage -- on the city-owned land.
The 150-unit condo tower will likely not be built for several years -- a delay the developer attributes to the current real estate market.
On Monday, the John Buck/Leiter team is scheduled to present updated plans to the Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board, which makes a recommendation to the City Commission.
The City Commission is slated to cast a final vote on the project March 3.
Closing in on a deal for a local Waldorf in Downtown Sarasota
Proscenium builder is poised to make $1 billion announcement next week
By KEVIN L. McQUAID, Roger Drouin and Michael Pollick - STAFF WRITERS
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Published Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA — Lion's Gate Development Group Inc. is expected to announce early next week that it has finalized a deal to bring a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to its Proscenium project planned for downtown Sarasota.
Gary Moyer, Lion's Gate president, declined to comment on next week's planned disclosure. He said he believes traffic that the mixed-use project would create could be worked out. The project is to be built on U.S. 41 from Fourth Street to Boulevard of the Arts.
If an announcement regarding the iconic, five-star hotel is forthcoming Monday or Tuesday, as anticipated, it will mark the latest tangible sign that the proposed $1 billion project is moving forward -- despite the region's depressed real estate conditions.
Gary Moyer, Lion's Gate's president, declined to comment on the specifics of next week's planned disclosure.
"We hope we'll be making a big announcement next week," Moyer said Thursday. "Other than that, I can't say anything at this time."
Moyer said last May that Waldorf-Astoria owner Hilton Hotels Co., which intends to develop several Waldorf-Astoria properties throughout North America, had signed a tentative deal to bring the famed brand to Sarasota.
But while Lion's Gate and Hilton appear to have reached agreement, the luxury hotel-anchored development at 400 N. Tamiami Trail still faces considerable economic and market hurdles before construction could begin this summer.
Final city approvals, too, may be hard for Lion's Gate to get from a City Commission in which a majority seems bent on curbing growth.
City officials in particular are expected to scrutinize the hundreds of new daily car trips along U.S. 41 that the seven-acre project -- a mix of office and retail space, condominiums, hotel rooms, entertainment space and parking -- would add to an already busy roadway.
"That is why we need at this point to have an assessment of U.S. 41 and the way that roadway can handle all these projects," said Sarasota Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner, adding the Proscenium could create "an incredible hub of activity."
"Certainly that will be difficult," said Kirschner, who was elected in March 2007 on a platform that pushed slow growth.
Mayor Lou Ann Palmer said: "I would love to see it happen. But on the other hand, we have to go through the process. There are a lot of things to look at."
Moyer said Thursday that Proscenium "doesn't have any issues we believe can't be resolved in regards to traffic."
City officials are expected to further review the project on March 5, when Sarasota's Development Review Committee meets.
If the committee approves it, Proscenium will also have to meet Planning and Redevelopment Department requirements and receive permission from the commission for street vacations.
A Hilton spokeswoman declined to comment on Waldorf-Astoria in Sarasota or any pending announcement.
"Unfortunately, until the deal is done, we cannot comment on anything that is pending," said Lisa Cole, director of communications for the hotel company's southeast region.
If the hotel reaches fruition, it will become only the second Waldorf-Astoria in Florida, joining a property under construction in Bonnet Creek, near Orlando.
Another five Waldorf-Astoria hotels are planned, in Maui, Hawaii; Phoenix; La Quinta, Calif.; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Beverly Hills, Calif.
The hotel's arrival would beg the question of whether Southwest Florida -- despite a reputation as a tony enclave -- represents a deep enough market to support a 266-room Ritz-Carlton and a 225-room Waldorf-Astoria, two five-star hotels that would compete directly with each other.
Virginia Haley, president of the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau, contends that rather than cannibalize one another, a trio of upscale hotels comprising the two five-star properties and the Hyatt Sarasota would "give us real penetration into that whole upper-end luxury hotel market."
"You will have two neighboring luxury-end properties, which allows us to steal market share from other communities," Haley said.
When the plans were announced for the Ritz-Carlton, some observers were worried about what it would mean for the nearby Hyatt, Haley said.
The answer, it turned out, was the ultimate upgrading of the Hyatt into a Hyatt Regency, which is occurring in connection with $20 million in renovations.
But other questions, beyond whether the hotel itself would be a success, abound. Specifically, the Proscenium's economics have puzzled development experts since the project came to light early last year.
In addition to the luxury hotel, where rooms would likely rent from $400 a night, the project would contain more than 200 condos priced from $1 million.
It would also include 240,000 square feet of office space -- as much as some of the city's largest towers -- commanding per-square-foot prices well above existing rates. Some 130,000 square feet of planned upscale retail space also would be priced well above market.
The 18-story project also would contain some 1,600 seats of entertainment space -- an 800-seat, off-Broadway style arts theater, a 300-seat jazz club and another 500-seat venue -- that would generate little overall income. Proscenium would also be required to build 2,000 parking spaces to meet city codes.
Last autumn, Moyer said that the mix of uses would boost the profitability of the overall project, which is to be built on U.S. 41 from Fourth Street to Boulevard of the Arts.
"Because of the hotel, we're able to sell residences," Moyer said last October. Because the condos will be branded with the hotel, "we'll be able to get more money from them, and the entire project will offer more services and have more cachet," he said.
Lion's Gate has said it hopes to complete Proscenium in 2011.
By KEVIN L. McQUAID, Roger Drouin and Michael Pollick - STAFF WRITERS
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Published Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
SARASOTA — Lion's Gate Development Group Inc. is expected to announce early next week that it has finalized a deal to bring a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to its Proscenium project planned for downtown Sarasota.
Gary Moyer, Lion's Gate president, declined to comment on next week's planned disclosure. He said he believes traffic that the mixed-use project would create could be worked out. The project is to be built on U.S. 41 from Fourth Street to Boulevard of the Arts.
If an announcement regarding the iconic, five-star hotel is forthcoming Monday or Tuesday, as anticipated, it will mark the latest tangible sign that the proposed $1 billion project is moving forward -- despite the region's depressed real estate conditions.
Gary Moyer, Lion's Gate's president, declined to comment on the specifics of next week's planned disclosure.
"We hope we'll be making a big announcement next week," Moyer said Thursday. "Other than that, I can't say anything at this time."
Moyer said last May that Waldorf-Astoria owner Hilton Hotels Co., which intends to develop several Waldorf-Astoria properties throughout North America, had signed a tentative deal to bring the famed brand to Sarasota.
But while Lion's Gate and Hilton appear to have reached agreement, the luxury hotel-anchored development at 400 N. Tamiami Trail still faces considerable economic and market hurdles before construction could begin this summer.
Final city approvals, too, may be hard for Lion's Gate to get from a City Commission in which a majority seems bent on curbing growth.
City officials in particular are expected to scrutinize the hundreds of new daily car trips along U.S. 41 that the seven-acre project -- a mix of office and retail space, condominiums, hotel rooms, entertainment space and parking -- would add to an already busy roadway.
"That is why we need at this point to have an assessment of U.S. 41 and the way that roadway can handle all these projects," said Sarasota Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner, adding the Proscenium could create "an incredible hub of activity."
"Certainly that will be difficult," said Kirschner, who was elected in March 2007 on a platform that pushed slow growth.
Mayor Lou Ann Palmer said: "I would love to see it happen. But on the other hand, we have to go through the process. There are a lot of things to look at."
Moyer said Thursday that Proscenium "doesn't have any issues we believe can't be resolved in regards to traffic."
City officials are expected to further review the project on March 5, when Sarasota's Development Review Committee meets.
If the committee approves it, Proscenium will also have to meet Planning and Redevelopment Department requirements and receive permission from the commission for street vacations.
A Hilton spokeswoman declined to comment on Waldorf-Astoria in Sarasota or any pending announcement.
"Unfortunately, until the deal is done, we cannot comment on anything that is pending," said Lisa Cole, director of communications for the hotel company's southeast region.
If the hotel reaches fruition, it will become only the second Waldorf-Astoria in Florida, joining a property under construction in Bonnet Creek, near Orlando.
Another five Waldorf-Astoria hotels are planned, in Maui, Hawaii; Phoenix; La Quinta, Calif.; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Beverly Hills, Calif.
The hotel's arrival would beg the question of whether Southwest Florida -- despite a reputation as a tony enclave -- represents a deep enough market to support a 266-room Ritz-Carlton and a 225-room Waldorf-Astoria, two five-star hotels that would compete directly with each other.
Virginia Haley, president of the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau, contends that rather than cannibalize one another, a trio of upscale hotels comprising the two five-star properties and the Hyatt Sarasota would "give us real penetration into that whole upper-end luxury hotel market."
"You will have two neighboring luxury-end properties, which allows us to steal market share from other communities," Haley said.
When the plans were announced for the Ritz-Carlton, some observers were worried about what it would mean for the nearby Hyatt, Haley said.
The answer, it turned out, was the ultimate upgrading of the Hyatt into a Hyatt Regency, which is occurring in connection with $20 million in renovations.
But other questions, beyond whether the hotel itself would be a success, abound. Specifically, the Proscenium's economics have puzzled development experts since the project came to light early last year.
In addition to the luxury hotel, where rooms would likely rent from $400 a night, the project would contain more than 200 condos priced from $1 million.
It would also include 240,000 square feet of office space -- as much as some of the city's largest towers -- commanding per-square-foot prices well above existing rates. Some 130,000 square feet of planned upscale retail space also would be priced well above market.
The 18-story project also would contain some 1,600 seats of entertainment space -- an 800-seat, off-Broadway style arts theater, a 300-seat jazz club and another 500-seat venue -- that would generate little overall income. Proscenium would also be required to build 2,000 parking spaces to meet city codes.
Last autumn, Moyer said that the mix of uses would boost the profitability of the overall project, which is to be built on U.S. 41 from Fourth Street to Boulevard of the Arts.
"Because of the hotel, we're able to sell residences," Moyer said last October. Because the condos will be branded with the hotel, "we'll be able to get more money from them, and the entire project will offer more services and have more cachet," he said.
Lion's Gate has said it hopes to complete Proscenium in 2011.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
DINING DIVAS
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries off the Eaten Path”
Weekly eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota
area’s culinary hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those
restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have a soul, offer
entrees under $15.00 and entertain us with wonderful music
This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the
ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the
Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now…..Our review.
This week took us to South America….we had a taste for Brazilian food
and found our way to Terra Nossa. The entrance has a small almost
take out atmosphere and to the right was their dining room.
The owner was surprised we chose to sit where we sat, she would have preferred
us in the dining room, ….but Divas do what Divas do and we were
quite comfortable in the smaller front section { the original part of
the restaurant before they expanded }. It was simple and had all the
elements for a “typical” Latin evening with an authentic, cozy feel.
We especially enjoyed the Spanish television playing in the
background with clips of Mardi Gras celebrations. It felt like we
could have been in someone’s home.
A couple of things to note: They were playing soft music in the dining room
and we understand that they have a buffet daily, and on Saturday they serve Feijoada which
is the Brazilian National dish for $9.90. Ok
….enough about all of that.
Now for the food review………….
First and foremost we needed to decide on a wine (always a difficult
choice for diva’s – The choice was limited… Whew ! That was easy.
We had the Teldeschi Chardonnay, from California and the Tenuta S.
Anna Cabernet Sauvignon from Italy. We enjoyed them both.
And on to the menu …after much debate we enlisted the help of our
server to interpret many of the dishes (as our Portuguses is not
strong). For the appetizers we ordered the Linguica no Palito
(sausage on a skewer). It was a mild sausage with onions served in a
skillet – no skewer in sight - maybe that’s how they say skillet in
Brazil!? Then we had the Risole de Camarao (shrimp cakes) and the
Coxinhas de Frango (chicken cakes). They were both light on the
shrimp and chicken. As we were discussing how they reminded us of
croquettes…….. out from the dining room a man in scrubs with a
plate full of chicken hearts approached our table.
It was Dr. Chicken Heart himself { just joking, I am sure his heart is much
bigger than a chicken’s - he was charming and actually plays a Doctor
in real life }. He insisted we taste these little organs and a few of
us did. He was dining with another MD and loves the place. Anyway,
back to the Chicken hearts aka Coracao de Frango, they are grilled
with onions, chewy and I think the jury is still out if we liked them
or not. But we did meet a couple of new friends. I believe we have
all made appointments and we will keep you posted……..stay tune
for The Diva Diaries, Divas after Dark.
On to our entrees, if you still care.….along with a green salad,
black beans and fried bananas. We had the Picanha (Brazilian
Sirloin Steak with Shrimp), which was tasty but nothing very
exciting….and Divas love excitement. And, against our servers
recommendation we ordered the Bacalhau ao Forno (salt cured Codfish
fillet, with potatoes, onions, green peppers, tomato and olives
cooked in the oven). It was a very authentic olde world dish, which
inspired us to make this choice but we were told it is an acquired
taste. It is prepared by packing the fish in salt for seven days and
seven nights (sounds like a Diva escapade – with tequila), once
cured, there is a rinsing process and then it’s ready for cooking.
We found it dry and a little tough, which is to be expected after
such an ordeal. Note to Divas, listen to your waitress! And for
the dessert we had Acai (the acai berry is found in the Amazon and
is known to be an antioxidant) sorbet with bananas and nuts. A nice
finish to our meal. All in all it was an interesting experience and
we learned that many dishes are an acquired taste.
The meal was $23 per person.
Terra Nossa Café at 5758 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231
941-929-9778
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Citrus Square is Now Under Construction
Come See For Yourself!
Citrus Square, located on N. Orange between 4th St. and Blvd of the Arts, has now begun construction. This residential and retail community has been very well received. If you want in on this charming neighborhood conveniently located to all the eateries and shopping of downtown Sarasota, now is the time to give me a call, as residences are limited.
The first three-story building features retail boutiques and eateries on the ground floor with upscale one- and two-bedroom residences above. Phase 1 is slated for completion in 2008.
Pricing ranges between the mid-$200’s and $500’s, a real value for a new construction residence.
Now is the time to take a look at this community.
Let me know if you would like a brochure sent to you or if you would like any additional information.
Come See For Yourself!
Citrus Square, located on N. Orange between 4th St. and Blvd of the Arts, has now begun construction. This residential and retail community has been very well received. If you want in on this charming neighborhood conveniently located to all the eateries and shopping of downtown Sarasota, now is the time to give me a call, as residences are limited.
The first three-story building features retail boutiques and eateries on the ground floor with upscale one- and two-bedroom residences above. Phase 1 is slated for completion in 2008.
Pricing ranges between the mid-$200’s and $500’s, a real value for a new construction residence.
Now is the time to take a look at this community.
Let me know if you would like a brochure sent to you or if you would like any additional information.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
What is a charette?
A charrette is "a collaborative planning process that harnesses the talents and energies of all interested parties to create and support a feasible plan," according to the nonprofit National Charrette Institute.The goal is to draw residents into a creative, inclusive planning process -- instead of the traditional meeting where a developer stands in front of residents trying to sell a project.
Planning growth with the neighbors
By ROGER DROUIN
During three days of discussions, drawings and working with Legos, residents here expressed their vision for a 9.5-acre parcel near Payne Park. More than 100 residents gathered Saturday for the last day of the charrette, or planning workshop. The event was held by developer Ron Burks. It was his latest effort to win support for a project that has been controversial since he first revealed his plans in August 2005. Burks said he will take input from the workshop to create his sixth project rendition -- one he hopes will finally win the support of residents. The project will likely include condos, retail space and possibly a hotel.
What residents do want:
A pedestrian-friendly School Avenue and retail village area with wide sidewalks, cafes and shops.
Two- to three-story townhomes facing the nearby residential neighborhood.
Four to six story buildings on the north end of the site, near Publix.
Buildings that get taller towards the middle of the property and taper down towards the borders.
What residents do not want:
Monotonous, industrial-type architecture
Buildings taller than six stories
Buildings close to the road, with little room for sidewalks.
Burks' proposed development is in flux as he tries to win support from nearby residents. They say it is too bulky and does not fit in the area of mostly single-family homes.
Burks is likely to change his plans -- again. He has already made five major revisions to the mixed-use project -- starting with a plan to build 460 condos in 2005. The most recent plan shows a scaled-down project of 226 condominium units, a 150-room hotel, 19,000 square feet of retail and 120,000 square feet of office space. Burks will turn in a report from the charrette to the city's planning department. The planning board will review Burks' new plans in March, and the City Commission has the final say on the project.
"The neighborhood just wants something that is a good design," said Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner. "This is a start. But there is still a lot to go."
A charrette is "a collaborative planning process that harnesses the talents and energies of all interested parties to create and support a feasible plan," according to the nonprofit National Charrette Institute.The goal is to draw residents into a creative, inclusive planning process -- instead of the traditional meeting where a developer stands in front of residents trying to sell a project.
Planning growth with the neighbors
By ROGER DROUIN
During three days of discussions, drawings and working with Legos, residents here expressed their vision for a 9.5-acre parcel near Payne Park. More than 100 residents gathered Saturday for the last day of the charrette, or planning workshop. The event was held by developer Ron Burks. It was his latest effort to win support for a project that has been controversial since he first revealed his plans in August 2005. Burks said he will take input from the workshop to create his sixth project rendition -- one he hopes will finally win the support of residents. The project will likely include condos, retail space and possibly a hotel.
What residents do want:
A pedestrian-friendly School Avenue and retail village area with wide sidewalks, cafes and shops.
Two- to three-story townhomes facing the nearby residential neighborhood.
Four to six story buildings on the north end of the site, near Publix.
Buildings that get taller towards the middle of the property and taper down towards the borders.
What residents do not want:
Monotonous, industrial-type architecture
Buildings taller than six stories
Buildings close to the road, with little room for sidewalks.
Burks' proposed development is in flux as he tries to win support from nearby residents. They say it is too bulky and does not fit in the area of mostly single-family homes.
Burks is likely to change his plans -- again. He has already made five major revisions to the mixed-use project -- starting with a plan to build 460 condos in 2005. The most recent plan shows a scaled-down project of 226 condominium units, a 150-room hotel, 19,000 square feet of retail and 120,000 square feet of office space. Burks will turn in a report from the charrette to the city's planning department. The planning board will review Burks' new plans in March, and the City Commission has the final say on the project.
"The neighborhood just wants something that is a good design," said Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner. "This is a start. But there is still a lot to go."
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Burns Square’s Piazza
The Market Day in Burns Square this Sunday { Feb. 10 } is hopefully just the beginning for community events for the area.
Jim Derheim, president of the Burns Square Merchants Association, says he wants it to be a kick-off event for regular weekend activities and the parking lot outside his back door is the perfect location.
“This will be the focal point,” he says while standing in his lot that facing the Burns Court Cinema, a restaurant and shops. “I make more than half my sales through my back door because this is where people are walking around before or after a movie or eating. I really have two front doors.”
European Focus, Pineapple Bay Trading Company and Lisa Helphenstine Interiors will be having big sales, and a band will play in the “piazza” in front of the Burns Court Cinema this Sunday.
The Market Day in Burns Square this Sunday { Feb. 10 } is hopefully just the beginning for community events for the area.
Jim Derheim, president of the Burns Square Merchants Association, says he wants it to be a kick-off event for regular weekend activities and the parking lot outside his back door is the perfect location.
“This will be the focal point,” he says while standing in his lot that facing the Burns Court Cinema, a restaurant and shops. “I make more than half my sales through my back door because this is where people are walking around before or after a movie or eating. I really have two front doors.”
European Focus, Pineapple Bay Trading Company and Lisa Helphenstine Interiors will be having big sales, and a band will play in the “piazza” in front of the Burns Court Cinema this Sunday.
Friday, February 01, 2008
DIVAS THAT DINE
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries off the Eaten Path”
Weekly eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hidden hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have entrees under $ 15.00, with a soul and having live music doesn’t hurt.This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now……Our review.
This week took us out to J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Café - known for good food, cold beer, and live entertainment; originally it was used for packing locally cultivated celery beginning in the 1920’s. While celery can still be found in the “Celery Plate with Dip” they are really better known for their southern cooking and live music six days a week.
Surprised to find this great place hidden amongst warehouses in a mainly industrial setting, where Bahia Vista meets Cattleman, we arrived at 7pm to find the regular crowd packed in enjoying the live music of Randy Tracy’s Trio of Doom (although their third did not show up, the duo played on in fine form!).
We had to wait for a table to clear so we joined Charlie (a fixture at the OPC bar) and enjoyed an icy cold beer while he shared fun stories of times passed. He has been frequenting OPC for 25 years – note this is also how long owner J.R. has been running the place.
Both old and young were enjoying the rustic décor, photos of good times, and folksy blues music.
It took about fifteen minutes for us to get settled at our table. We were enjoying the music so much including shouting requests to the band (Corrina Corrina, Muddy Water, Rolling Stones Dead Flower, various James Taylor and Neil Young tunes to name a few) our waitress politely reminded us that she was ready to take our order.
We had the Catfish dinner, blackened, with southern style vegetables, along with famous OPC Special potatoes (also blackened) served with cheese, real bacon bits, and sour cream; and the Pork Loin center-cut, Mojo spiced with grilled onions served with black beans and rice. Good ole’ home-style Southern cooking. The pork dinner, which came unexpectedly thinly sliced, was good for the first bite or two, but there was so much on the plate it became redundant to the taste buds. The black beans were a nice touch, but portion of all was overwhelming – perhaps meant more for a truck driver than a diva. We loved the catfish dish (hey that rhymes!) the potatoes were decedent and the overall meal was perfect for the atmosphere! For a finishing touch we snuck in an order of bread pudding – thank goodness only one to share – it was bigger than our heads!!!! (We try to keep this a diva rule – eating nothing larger than one’s head) We made an exception and enjoyed the delicious creation anyway – swimming in the live music, taking in the setting and décor, the divas truly enjoyed this lively, fun, and fulfilling outing for under $20.00 each including our beer and wine.
J.R.’s Old Packing House Café is located at 987 S. Packing House Drive. They can be reached at 941-371-9358.
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries off the Eaten Path”
Weekly eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hidden hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have entrees under $ 15.00, with a soul and having live music doesn’t hurt.This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now……Our review.
This week took us out to J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Café - known for good food, cold beer, and live entertainment; originally it was used for packing locally cultivated celery beginning in the 1920’s. While celery can still be found in the “Celery Plate with Dip” they are really better known for their southern cooking and live music six days a week.
Surprised to find this great place hidden amongst warehouses in a mainly industrial setting, where Bahia Vista meets Cattleman, we arrived at 7pm to find the regular crowd packed in enjoying the live music of Randy Tracy’s Trio of Doom (although their third did not show up, the duo played on in fine form!).
We had to wait for a table to clear so we joined Charlie (a fixture at the OPC bar) and enjoyed an icy cold beer while he shared fun stories of times passed. He has been frequenting OPC for 25 years – note this is also how long owner J.R. has been running the place.
Both old and young were enjoying the rustic décor, photos of good times, and folksy blues music.
It took about fifteen minutes for us to get settled at our table. We were enjoying the music so much including shouting requests to the band (Corrina Corrina, Muddy Water, Rolling Stones Dead Flower, various James Taylor and Neil Young tunes to name a few) our waitress politely reminded us that she was ready to take our order.
We had the Catfish dinner, blackened, with southern style vegetables, along with famous OPC Special potatoes (also blackened) served with cheese, real bacon bits, and sour cream; and the Pork Loin center-cut, Mojo spiced with grilled onions served with black beans and rice. Good ole’ home-style Southern cooking. The pork dinner, which came unexpectedly thinly sliced, was good for the first bite or two, but there was so much on the plate it became redundant to the taste buds. The black beans were a nice touch, but portion of all was overwhelming – perhaps meant more for a truck driver than a diva. We loved the catfish dish (hey that rhymes!) the potatoes were decedent and the overall meal was perfect for the atmosphere! For a finishing touch we snuck in an order of bread pudding – thank goodness only one to share – it was bigger than our heads!!!! (We try to keep this a diva rule – eating nothing larger than one’s head) We made an exception and enjoyed the delicious creation anyway – swimming in the live music, taking in the setting and décor, the divas truly enjoyed this lively, fun, and fulfilling outing for under $20.00 each including our beer and wine.
J.R.’s Old Packing House Café is located at 987 S. Packing House Drive. They can be reached at 941-371-9358.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
School Ave.Planning Workshop & Design Charrette Feb.7,8,9
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Opening Session* - Thursday evening Feb.7th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
*This public input session includes an interactive visual preference survey Continues - Friday, Feb.8th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Concluding - Saturday, Feb.9th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All Sessions take place at St.Paul's Lutheran Church,
2256 Bahia Vista St. just east of Tamiami Trail, Hwy 41
This event is the first its of kind in the City used to seek citizen consensus toward a community inspired vision for redevelopment of a privately owned site.
The 9.5 acre property is located along School Avenue across from Payne Park .
This Planning Workshop and Design Charrette is being facilitated by Barbara Faga, Executive VP. of EDAW, INC., an internationally repected urban planning and design firm. Ms. Faga, widely regarded as one of the world¹s foremost charrette facilitators, is an urban designer, author and speaker with over 30 years experience spearheading urban projects.
For more on this exciting event go to - www.schoolavenuecharrette.com
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Opening Session* - Thursday evening Feb.7th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
*This public input session includes an interactive visual preference survey Continues - Friday, Feb.8th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Concluding - Saturday, Feb.9th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All Sessions take place at St.Paul's Lutheran Church,
2256 Bahia Vista St. just east of Tamiami Trail, Hwy 41
This event is the first its of kind in the City used to seek citizen consensus toward a community inspired vision for redevelopment of a privately owned site.
The 9.5 acre property is located along School Avenue across from Payne Park .
This Planning Workshop and Design Charrette is being facilitated by Barbara Faga, Executive VP. of EDAW, INC., an internationally repected urban planning and design firm. Ms. Faga, widely regarded as one of the world¹s foremost charrette facilitators, is an urban designer, author and speaker with over 30 years experience spearheading urban projects.
For more on this exciting event go to - www.schoolavenuecharrette.com
Monday, January 28, 2008
[SOON] COMEDY: Improv Returns to FST, February 5, 8:30pm The gang at FST Improv is back to keep Sarasota Tuesday nights lively and hilarious. The show takes audience suggestions to create wacky characters and sketches on the spot. Ultimately, the show will end with an unexpected and zany life lesson that ties the evening’s antics into a bow (or a knot, depending on the evening). Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-9000.
TODAY] PLAY: Drag Queen Bingo, 8-10:30pm Drag Queen Bingo has taken over Towles Court. Spend your Monday night—in heels—with Miss XuXu Fontaine. Proceeds from bingo cards benefit the Community AIDS Network (CAN). On September 10, Canvas Café owner Louis M. Schultz presented Susan E. Terry, president and CEO of CAN, with a donation check to be applied to the refurbishing of CAN’s dental clinic. Continue the spirit of giving this new year with one of Sarasota’s monthly favorites. The evening includes three consecutive rounds of bingo, prizes and a surprise or two. Canvas Café Gallery, 1912 Adams Ln., Sarasota, 941-957-0609.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
DIVAS THAT DINE
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries Off the Eaten Path ”
This week we kicked off our first in a series of Tuesday eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hidden hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have entrees under $ 15.00, with a soul and having live music doesn’t hurt.
This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now……Our review.
We set off to try the Champion Pub for British fare at Webber and Beneva after hearing about their famous homemade (of course) pasties but were overcome with a thick grey cloud of smoke. It was Dart Night after all... so what could we expect ? Stand by as we will be giving this another shot – not Irish Whiskey, but another try at the pasties.
We headed out to find ourselves an alternative venue. We didn’t have to look far, as Chef D’s Italian Fisherman, in the same plaza, beckoned us. At first we were disoriented at the drastic cultural shock from England to Italy.
However, the staff made us feel welcome and at home immediately.
Their dining room and bar both give you a feeling of being in a typical family restaurant, with the pizza oven being a fabulous focal point. We didn’t know where to sit at first. Don’t ask Blond Divas to make a group decision! Finally we ended up at the pizza bar where Chef Rick was very enthusiastic to have company while he hand tossed his famous pie dough and cooked the pies in a record 2 to 3 minutes in their new pizza oven.
The Pizzas looked delicious and the selection is enormous with 19 specialty Neapolitan pizzas and their traditional personal pizzas have a gourmet list of toppings!
However, we weren’t in the mood for pizza.
What we did order was their award winning crab cake, bruschetta alla romana, antipasto misto fritto, a side dish of linguini with rose sauce and a bottle of red house wine for $22.00.
Chef Rick advised against our requested rose sauce (not on the menu) and we probably should have taken his advice. The pasta itself tasted like the boxed kind. The crab cake was very good though with plenty of crabmeat and minimal filler just the way ahha ahha we like it (hear the music – ahha ahha).
The bruschetta was quite lovely, it was fresh and the bread was crispy, as it should be. The misto fritto was an assorted lightly breaded seafood mixture of scallops, shrimps and calamari served over greens with Italian vinaigrette and their special dipping sauces on the side.
The scallops were yummy but everything else was average.
Our bill was $18.00 per person, including wine. Such a deal!
Chef D’s Italian Fisherman is located at 3634 Webber Street. They can be reached at 941-927-6600. They also have a pizza delivery service. Check out their website at www.barnaclebillsseafood.com.
The Dining Divas “Eclectic Eateries Off the Eaten Path ”
This week we kicked off our first in a series of Tuesday eating adventures, in which we set out to explore Sarasota area’s culinary hidden hits (or misses). The objective is to discover those restaurants, pubs or cafes that are locally owned, have entrees under $ 15.00, with a soul and having live music doesn’t hurt.
This is not your typical food review. More important to us is the ambiance, pricing, service and all around fun as we are simply the Dining Divas just out to have a good time.
Now……Our review.
We set off to try the Champion Pub for British fare at Webber and Beneva after hearing about their famous homemade (of course) pasties but were overcome with a thick grey cloud of smoke. It was Dart Night after all... so what could we expect ? Stand by as we will be giving this another shot – not Irish Whiskey, but another try at the pasties.
We headed out to find ourselves an alternative venue. We didn’t have to look far, as Chef D’s Italian Fisherman, in the same plaza, beckoned us. At first we were disoriented at the drastic cultural shock from England to Italy.
However, the staff made us feel welcome and at home immediately.
Their dining room and bar both give you a feeling of being in a typical family restaurant, with the pizza oven being a fabulous focal point. We didn’t know where to sit at first. Don’t ask Blond Divas to make a group decision! Finally we ended up at the pizza bar where Chef Rick was very enthusiastic to have company while he hand tossed his famous pie dough and cooked the pies in a record 2 to 3 minutes in their new pizza oven.
The Pizzas looked delicious and the selection is enormous with 19 specialty Neapolitan pizzas and their traditional personal pizzas have a gourmet list of toppings!
However, we weren’t in the mood for pizza.
What we did order was their award winning crab cake, bruschetta alla romana, antipasto misto fritto, a side dish of linguini with rose sauce and a bottle of red house wine for $22.00.
Chef Rick advised against our requested rose sauce (not on the menu) and we probably should have taken his advice. The pasta itself tasted like the boxed kind. The crab cake was very good though with plenty of crabmeat and minimal filler just the way ahha ahha we like it (hear the music – ahha ahha).
The bruschetta was quite lovely, it was fresh and the bread was crispy, as it should be. The misto fritto was an assorted lightly breaded seafood mixture of scallops, shrimps and calamari served over greens with Italian vinaigrette and their special dipping sauces on the side.
The scallops were yummy but everything else was average.
Our bill was $18.00 per person, including wine. Such a deal!
Chef D’s Italian Fisherman is located at 3634 Webber Street. They can be reached at 941-927-6600. They also have a pizza delivery service. Check out their website at www.barnaclebillsseafood.com.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Hudson Crossing announces completion
Construction of twelve waterfront residences at Hudson Crossing, located at 888 S. Orange Ave., has been completed. A project nearly four years in the making, almost all of the condominiums have reportedly been purchased and the homeowners will take ownership of the building beginning this month.
There are two units still available with private boat docks.
THE NEW COMMUNITY ON HUDSON BAYOU IS SURROUNDED ON TWO SIDES BY SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS!
GRACIOUSLY APPOINTED RESIDENCE FEATURES BRITISH WEST INDIES DESIGN, 3 PRIVATE SUITES WITH 3 BATHS, GOURMET KITCHEN, UPSCALE FINISHES, CEILINGS UP TO 10'. EXPANSIVE BAYOU WATER VIEWS, SAFE HARBOR DEEPWATER BOAT SLIPS, PRIVATE 2-CAR GARAGE FOR EACH UNIT, POOLSIDE CABANA/STORAGE. GORGEOUS SETTING, HIGH ON THE BANKS OF THE PEACEFUL BAYOU OVERLOOKING TOWERING OAKS AND BUTTERFLY GARDENS AT SELBY NEXT DOOR! WALK TO BAY FRONT PARK, DOWNTOWN SHOPS, CAFES, GALLERIES, & MORE
Sunday, December 02, 2007
2 PH Units worth noting over looking Sarasota Bay
Reduced Again! Owner says Bring Offers! Dramatic, panoramic views from this fabulous downtown penthouse with 60 foot balcony in the Renaissance.
2 bedrooms, Oversize master bedroom and marble shower in master bath.
Building amenities include 24 hour security, concierge, heated pool & spa, fitness center, club room with kitchen, grilling area.
Includes 2 secured garage parking spaces.
Available furnished or unfurnished. Minutes to downtown shopping, art galleries, fine dining, theater and cultural activities. Listed at $ 799,000.
Also Available a 3 bedroom PH listed at $ 850,000....another motivated seller.